The Social Compensation Hypothesis claims that the internet and social networking sites are beneficial to individuals who are anxious and shy in offline settings. Social networking sites are asynchronous and provide anonymity, to some degree. These sites allow individuals to be in control of the situation and adjust what they say or post before they publish it for the world to see. They laid back environment of cyberspace encourages the socially anxious to come out of their shell and find their voice. (Valkenburg et al., 2010)
For more in formation about anxiety and ways to seek treatment and/therapy visit the Anxiety and Depression Association of America's website.
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McNicol, talks about different interventions that can be introduced to lessen the effects internet addiction has on anxiety. She stated how interventions need to first focus on offline treatments for adolescents who experience anxiety, focus on healthy coping mechanisms, support groups, and other means of controlling anxiety that does not involve the internet. Next, interventions should focus on excessive internet activities and discussion forums for adolescents. Giving them knowledge on the effects internet addiction can have on them psychologically and the different communication forums that can help with their problems. Lastly, being involved with effective coping mechanisms that do not lead to the internet or social media is another way to overcome anxiety produced by the internet. (McNicol, 2017)
Another positive aspect that social media have on anxiety is the use of sharing funny and uplifting video, pictures, and articles. Just as Ellen claims, laughter really a great cure for stress and anxiety. People may post a lot of negative and ruminative statuses, but many of them also flood news feeds with pictures of puppies and videos of comedians. |