Write an essay about the causes and effects of social media on mental health
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Causes and Effects of Social Media on Mental Health
Introduction
Over the past decade, social media has experienced exponential growth and has become an integral part of our daily lives. However, concerns have been raised about the impact of social media on mental health. This essay aims to explore the causes and effects of social media on mental health, shedding light on the potential risks and benefits associated with its use.
Causes of Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health
Social Comparison: One of the primary causes of negative mental health effects is social comparison. Social media platforms provide an idealized version of others’ lives, leading individuals to compare their own lives unfavorably. This constant comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and depression.
Cyberbullying: Social media platforms can also serve as a breeding ground for cyberbullying. Online harassment, trolling, and negative comments can have a detrimental impact on individuals’ mental well-being. The anonymity provided by social media can amplify the effects of cyberbullying and contribute to anxiety and depression.
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Another cause is the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). Social media exposes individuals to the highlights of others’ lives, creating a fear of missing out on exciting events or experiences. This fear can lead to anxiety and a constant need to be connected, resulting in poor mental health.
Addiction: The addictive nature of social media can also contribute to mental health issues. The constant need for validation, likes, and comments can create a cycle of seeking online approval, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. Excessive social media use can disrupt sleep patterns, impact productivity, and contribute to feelings of isolation.
Effects of Social Media on Mental Health
Depression and Anxiety: Research has shown a strong correlation between social media use and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Constant exposure to others’ curated lives can create unrealistic expectations and feelings of inadequacy. Furthermore, the pressure to present oneself in a positive light on social media can lead to anxiety and self-esteem issues.
Body Image Dissatisfaction: Social media often portrays unrealistic beauty standards, leading to body image dissatisfaction. Constant exposure to edited and filtered images can negatively impact individuals’ self-perception, contributing to eating disorders and body dysmorphia.
Social Isolation: Paradoxically, excessive social media use can lead to social isolation. Spending more time online can reduce face-to-face interactions and hinder the development of genuine relationships. This isolation can contribute to feelings of loneliness and depression.
Sleep Disturbances: The blue light emitted by screens and the addictive nature of social media can interfere with sleep patterns. Late-night scrolling can disrupt sleep quality and duration, leading to fatigue, irritability, and poor mental health.
Conclusion
While social media offers numerous benefits, it is crucial to recognize its potential impact on mental health. Social comparison, cyberbullying, FOMO, and addiction are among the causes that contribute to negative mental health effects. Depression, anxiety, body image dissatisfaction, social isolation, and sleep disturbances are some of the consequences associated with excessive social media use. By understanding these causes and effects, individuals can make informed decisions about their social media usage and take steps towards maintaining a healthy balance between online engagement and mental well-being.
