Final answer:
Recent studies suggest that daily use of social media is connected to an increase in symptoms of depression. Although social media can enhance social and political engagement, its overuse can lead to overwhelming information input and dependency issues in relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the article, recent studies suggest that daily use of social media leads to an increase in symptoms of depression. The referenced study, conducted by Hunt, M.G. and colleagues, found that limiting social media use resulted in decreased levels of loneliness and depression, as published in the Journal and Social and Clinical Psychology. Additionally, the consistent use of social media might contribute to a state of narcotizing dysfunction, where people become so inundated with media input that it leads to awareness without action, according to Lazerfeld and Merton (1948). Despite potential beneficial impacts of social media, such as increasing participation in civil and political life and enhancing social capital, the downsides cannot be overlooked. For example, reliance on mobile devices for communication in friendships can lead to entrapment and overall dissatisfaction, as observed by Hall (2012). It's also noted that while increased connectivity and productivity are some positive aspects, the inability to disconnect also imposes significant stress and impacts the ability to focus on a single task without distraction.