USES AND ABUSES OF DIGITAL SOCIAL NETWORKS: THEORETICAL-EPISTEMOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

Abstract

The main objective of this article is to contribute scientific reflections on the use of new technologies, specifically digital social networks in contemporary times. Aiming to achieve the aforementioned objective, the following problem was established: to what extent can the excessive use of digital social networks impact socio-interactivity, especially among family members, and the mental health of its users? To address this problem, a qualitative approach was adopted as the methodology. Regarding its nature, this investigation is basic. In relation to the research objective, it is a descriptive-exploratory study, using the bibliographic technical method. Concerning information collection techniques, a literature review of secondary sources was used. Regarding analysis techniques, content analysis and socio-historical contextual discourse analysis were applied. The qualitative results indicate that throughout the historical process of societies and their various technological revolutions, human beings have reached new digital technologies/social networks that, a priori, had and have the power to serve them in a faster, more economical, and practical way. However, due to abusive use, users of these tools have been affected both socially and in their mental health. Finally, it is concluded that the use of new technologies via digital social networks can be beneficial, facilitating and providing a better quality of life for users when used in a regulated manner, but it can also be harmful, causing socio-interactional and mental health damage.