They're sponsored by better help💀 ok, let's ignore that

1. "Strong link between heavy social media use and increased risk for depression" conflating correlation and causation. People are depressed and use social media more because that's one of the only things that feels ok to do and that happens when there isn't a good REAL LIFE support system in the first place, and lack of a good support system IN REAL LIFE can be one of the main contributors to depression and self image issues.

2. "Inadequacy about your life and appearance" as if people aren't told their whole lives that they should be doctors, engineers, dentists, and that they should always be pretty THEIR WHOLE LIFE. People grow in an environment where these inadequacies are developed in the first place. It's never "do what you like to do", it's always "be normal" and "be successful". Social media is not at fault for this. Sure, social media can trigger negative thoughts about these topics, but it isn't the one that tells people who to be or what to look like, it isn't the one who implanted these insecurities and fear into your brain in the first place.

3. "FOMO" that's just capitalism and point number 2. It's the "you should do this and be this" implanted into your brain since the day you're born. Social media helps find communities that are against this and that deconstruct this dumbass rhetoric. Without social media, on this scale, it just isn't possible.

4. "Social media addiction" you should really look up how psychological addiction develops, but I'll sum it up for you (but it is more nuanced that that). A psychological need not met properly (or at all) for the entire life ➡️ suddenly it's a bit more met than usual ➡️ brain's reward system things ➡️ brain wants you to repeat ➡️ possible development of scarcity mindset-like behavior in relation to the subject. And it doesn't have to be the thing that supposedly gets you addicted. It can be the circumstances (people and your emotional connection with them, some rituals that can be soothing or just pleasant in any way). My point is when people are ostracized in real life - the internet presents them an opportunity to find someone, or a group of people, whose experiences are relatable, with whom they could build some kind of emotional connection. So someone is being called "weird" for whatever reason ➡️ they refer to social media where that happens much less ➡️ now they get bullied not only for being "weird", but also because they "have a social media addiction". You're not going to tell me that's social media's fault, right?

5. "and Instagram increases rather decreases feelings of loneliness. Conversely, the study found that reducing social media usage can actually make you feel less lonely" which means social media, as an entity, has little to do with this.

6. "Depression and anxiety. Human beings need face-to-face contact to be mentally healthy. Nothing reduces stress and boosts your mood faster or more effectively than eye-to-eye contact with someone who cares about you." Is that a reason why social media is harmful or what? How is this a critique of social media? This is literally just another reason why "social media addiction" exists in the first place - feeling lonely and invalidated irl.

7. "Cyberbullying. About 10 percent of teens report being bullied on social media and many other users are subjected to offensive comments." While true, the real issue lies in people lacking a support system in real life which, again, can be the reason for "social media addiction" in the first place. This shit wouldn't have such an impact if these dumbass "responsible and functional members of society" weren't popping out children they don't care about like they're a candy factory because "children are cute🥺" and "I want a mini version of me🥺" and "who doesn't want children🥺". You treat your child like shit ➡️ the child treats other people like shit. You scapegoat your child ➡️ the child tries scapegoating other people. How is that not common sense I don't understand. Like those people vote????? THOSE people are considered "normal"? That's the society's norm? This is genuinely pissing me off right now. I'm falling into a personal rant here

8. "Self-absorption. Sharing endless selfies and all your innermost thoughts on social media can create an unhealthy self-centeredness and distance you from real-life connections." WHAT LMFAO PLEASE💀💀💀💀 Not only that claim is blatantly incorrect, theres also NO SOURCE FOR IT (yes I looked through each of them). I've found studies about it being linked to NPD but social media doesn't cause NPD WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK LMFAOOOOOOO

At least they said that there's limited evidence of social media's harm before listing their points

Anyway, there's nothing in this article that says "research indicates that it fails to actually meet their long-term needs", nothing in the resources they referred to. There's also no such thing as "long term need". "if humans always do what meets their needs then we wouldn't have any issues at all?" Ever heard of survival, exploitation, gaslighting, repression, abuse, manipulation? Almost nobody is taught emotional intelligence and proper interoception and that's not to mention people with different neurological development who have it so so much harder because the expectations that are put on them are made for people with typical neurological development.