THE PATHOLOGIZING EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Abstract

The growing need for virtual contact has been a source of concern, mainly due to the dependence and social isolation that some users present. This bibliographic review aimed to identify the main social networks and to find a relationship between these movements and possible pathologies, as well as sufferings due to dysfunctional conditions. It is justified by the amplitude of the virtual context, the innovative nature of the internet and especially with regard to the psychological aspects involved. As a methodology, the different social networks were searched, from the beginning to the present, based on the Scielo search engine to acquire a theoretical basis, in a wide dialectic between pathology and virtual media. The initial hypothesis, proven in the scientific course, shows that internet-connected media have specific fields that can bring suffering and loss to individuals, in a psychological context and with profound pathological effects. At the end of this exploration the cataloging of 107 social networks up to the present day, which are not by themselves source of suffering and pathologies, but which have very specific fields that can be concomitant with behaviors, intentions and propensions capable of causing suffering and losses to the individual. Themes such as the internet, adolescents and social networks require attention, so it is suggested that further studies be carried out by broadening the understanding of these fields.