Introduction Media is always pointed at having negative effects on mental health. Media, including social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, among others, have rapidly developed. Facebook is considered to be the largest social networking site used globally. In the past decade, media has caused various changes, especially in the way individuals interact as well as communicate. However, it is not clear whether these changes may have an impact on the usual human characters. Previous research carried out shows that prolonged use of media may be associated with signs of depression. In addition, studies have also shown that the effects are associated with low self-esteem, and this mainly affects adolescents and children.  However, other studies differ and have shown that media does not affect negatively and no mental problems associated with the use of media. Thus, the relationship between media and mental health is controversial, and many questions have remained unanswered. Moreover, the research on this topic has experienced a lot of challenges. This paper focuses on findings regarding the association between the media and mental health issues such as internet addiction, depression signs and symptoms and low self-esteem.  Media and Signs and symptoms of depression Various reasons suggest that media users are at risk of getting depressed. This is because there are many factors that may cause a depressed individual to increase their use or begin to use a social networking site. Among the reasons why media is associated with depressive symptoms is that it may lead to negative changes in the personality characteristics of other users. Generally, internet use affects the social relationship to the extent of affecting participation in community life.            According to a study done by Kraut et al ., 1998 shows that increased time online is associated with reduced communication with other members of the family. This may result in an increased feeling of loneliness as well as depression. Further research suggests that computer use may have various negative effects, especially on the social development of children.  This research focused on investigating possible impacts of internet browsing and other online uses such as email checking on mental health. As a result of the development of social networks, for example, Facebook in 2004, time spent online has greatly increased. On the other hand, time on interpersonal interaction has reduced, including among the family members. However, research on the relationship between the use of various social networking sites and depression has not been properly investigated. This is because most social networks and upgrade in the media are recent discoveries. According to a study carried out on high school population, it was found that there is a relationship between time spent on social networking sites and depressive symptoms(Pantic et al ., 2012).  However, different authors have found that media is no ...

1. Introduction
Media is always pointed at having negative effects on mental
health. Media, including social networking sites such as
Twitter, Facebook, among others, have rapidly developed.
Facebook is considered to be the largest social networking site
used globally. In the past decade, media has caused various
changes, especially in the way individuals interact as well as
communicate. However, it is not clear whether these changes
may have an impact on the usual human characters. Previous
research carried out shows that prolonged use of media may be
associated with signs of depression. In addition, studies have
also shown that the effects are associated with low self-esteem,
and this mainly affects adolescents and children.
However, other studies differ and have shown that media does
not affect negatively and no mental problems associated with
the use of media. Thus, the relationship between media and
mental health is controversial, and many questions have
remained unanswered. Moreover, the research on this topic has
experienced a lot of challenges. This paper focuses on findings
regarding the association between the media and mental health
issues such as internet addiction, depression signs and
symptoms and low self-esteem.
Media and Signs and symptoms of depression
Various reasons suggest that media users are at risk of getting
depressed. This is because there are many factors that may
cause a depressed individual to increase their use or begin to
use a social networking site. Among the reasons why media is
associated with depressive symptoms is that it may lead to
negative changes in the personality characteristics of other
users. Generally, internet use affects the social relationship to
the extent of affecting participation in community life.
According to a study done by Kraut et al ., 1998 shows
that increased time online is associated with reduced
communication with other members of the family. This may

2. result in an increased feeling of loneliness as well as
depression. Further research suggests that computer use may
have various negative effects, especially on the social
development of children.
This research focused on investigating possible impacts of
internet browsing and other online uses such as email checking
on mental health.
As a result of the development of social networks, for example,
Facebook in 2004, time spent online has greatly increased. On
the other hand, time on interpersonal interaction has reduced,
including among the family members. However, research on the
relationship between the use of various social networking sites
and depression has not been properly investigated. This is
because most social networks and upgrade in the media are
recent discoveries. According to a study carried out on high
school population, it was found that there is a relationship
between time spent on social networking sites and depressive
symptoms(Pantic et al ., 2012).
However, different authors have found that media is not related
to depressive symptoms especially older adolescents, for
example, University students. This reaction towards media is
different, and age is the main determinant (Kross et al ., 2013).
Due to differences between different authors and lack sufficient
evidence, it cannot be concluded that media causes depression.
Recent arguments suggest that media strengthens social ties
among family members, among others. As a result of
strengthened social ties, thus there is social support which is of
benefit to mental health.
Media and stigma
Media contribute largely to the stigma of mental illness. This is
through inaccurate and exaggerated images as well as inaccurate
information about mental illnesses. Various theories such as
cultivation and social learning theory have been used to
describe the relationship between media and stigma of mental
illness(Wahl, 1995). According to cultivation theory,
individuals who spend more of their time in the television and

3. other virtual world, may think the real world according to the
images they see. In other words, they are likely to perceive a
virtual worldview of mental illness(Gerbner et al ., 2002).
Social learning theory proposes that observation is also part of
learning not only through direct experience. Media teaches
about how to treat individuals with mental illness(Bandura et
al ., 1994).
In situations where personal experience with individuals who
have mental illnesses is absent, people rely on the media.
Unfortunately, media identifies and shows people with mental
illness as unwanted individuals in society since they are seen as
violent. Thus people with mental illness are feared and
avoided(Link and Cullen, 1986). Studies have shown that
negative views of individuals with psychiatric disorders are
proportional to time spent on media. In most cases, television
dramas show people with mental unpredictable. The media does
not make it clear to the public that only a small percentage of
individuals with mental illness commit crimes. In additions,
crimes committed by normal people are high compared to those
committed by individuals with mental illnesses(Granello and
Pauley, 2000).
This, on the other hand, has resulted in the low self-
esteem of individuals in the society. As defined by different by
authors, self-esteem is how one values, likes and approves him
or herself. Self-esteem is one of the most important factors in
developing as well as maintaining mental health. Additionally,
gender bias ness becomes evident, since men are shown to be
having more serious disorders. Women are discriminated
apparently, and men are shown to be the common gender that
commits crimes.
Media and addiction
Media addiction, including internet addiction, is an upcoming
phenomenon; thus, no sufficient research is done. Media
addiction results in neglecting other important aspects of social
functioning such as family as well as offline friends. Different
studies have been carried out to show addiction disorder,

4. especially of social networking sites(Pantic, 2014).
Research carried out by Wolniczak et al ., 2013 on the sleep
quality of Facebook users showed that Facebook dependence are
related to poor quality of sleep. Of great concern is whether
media addiction should be considered as a mental disorder.
However, it is not clear whether it is an illness by its own or is
a manifestation of other disorders.
According to the Classification of Diseases and Health
problems, there are various different criteria for dependence
syndrome in other terms of addiction. Among the different
criteria for dependence, the syndrome is a strong desire,
difficulty in controlling consumption as well as difficulty in
controlling the behavior. In the case where these features are
evident, then a diagnosis should be made. Thus media addiction
can be considered as a mental illness (World Health
Organization. (2014) Dependence
syndrome. www.who.int/substance_abuse/terminology/definitio
n1/en/.)
Conclusion
Media is associated with various negative effects on mental
health. This includes media addiction, the stigma of mental
illnesses and also depression. This negative effect results to
further effects in the society such as gender biasness. However,
there has been a lot of controversy among different authors,
whereby authors differ in opinions on the effects of media on
mental health. Further research should be done to end the
differences between different authors. The research should
provide more evidence to prove the effects of media on mental
health.
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