Facebook Assignment

Here are the videos from ‘The Facebook Dilemma’.

To further explore the effects of social media on human connection, I found a video titled: Lonliness on Social Media” Alice Capelle

I chose this because this video supports the documentary’s themes by explaining how social media can increase feelings of loneliness despite creating the illusion of connection. It addresses comparison, emotional costs, and identity issues online.

Is Facebook Making

Article 1: “Is Facebook Making Us Lonely?”

Stephen Marche argues that although social media allows us to connect digitally, people are increasingly lonely. Key points include:

• Online friendships are shallow substitutes for deep human bonds.
• Rising rates of single person households and social isolation highlights the limits of digital connection.
• Facebook encourages constant self-presentation, intensifying loneliness and comparison.

Marche’s tone is philosophical and cautionary, emphasizing emotional and cultural concerns.

Article 2: “Facebook Isn’t Making Us Lonely”

Eric Klinenberg counters Marche’s argument with a more data-driven perspective:

• Lonliness has existed long before Facebook.
• Many people live alone but are not necessarily lonely.
• Social media is often a reflection of existing social patterns, not the root cause.

Klinenberg’s tone is sociological and analytical, grounded in evidence rather than emotion.

Compare and contrast:

Aspect	Marche	Klinenberg
Main claim	Facebook contributes to loneliness	Loneliness predates and exists independently of Facebook
Evidence	Cultural trends, anecdotal examples	Research, historical social trends
Tone	Emotional, philosophical	Analytical, measured
Implication	Online connections cannot replace real relationships	Social media is a tool; broader social change affects loneliness

Both articles remain relevant today. Marche highlights emotional risks, while Klinenberg reminds us not to oversimplify social phenomena.

Relevance Today (2025)

Social media has evolved dramatically:

1. Platform diversity – Tiktok, Instagram, Snapchat, and others shape connection differently than Facebook.
2. Algorithmic pressure – Modern platforms maximize engagement, sometimes increasing comparison and social anxiety.
3. Genuine online communities – Modern platforms maximize engagement, sometimes increasing comparison and social anxiety.
4. Digital Fatigue – Scroll-based engagement can still feel hollow, supporting Marche’s concerns.

Personal Reflection

From my experience, social media is both connecting and isolating

• Facebook helps most keep in touch with family and friends
• Instagram and TikTok amplify comparison and self-doubt, and can feel superficial due to Scroll-based engagement
• Online groups provide meaningful connections supporting Klinenberg’s argument
• Ultimately, balance is key: social media works best as a suppliment to real-world interactions, not a replacement.

Conclusion

The Facebook Dilemma videos, combined with Alice Cappelle’s discussion on loneliness, highlight that social media can both connect and isolate. Marche’s article emphasizes the emotional cost of digital connection, while Klinenberg reminds us that broader societal trends influence loneliness. In 2025, both perspectives remain relevant: social media’s impact depends on how it’s used, and meaningful relationships require intentional effort, both online and offline.