Social Media and the "Cost" of Caring

For this discussion post, you must read the Social Media and Stress article (Social Media, Caring, & Stress (Module 15).pdf)and become familiar with the article's main findings.

The article's findings are also summarized in the Module 15 PowerPoint: Comm Tech (SU17).pdf

NOTE: The Social Media & Stress article is not covered in the Module 15 page. You must read the article and look over the Comm Tech PowerPoint to learn the important ideas for this discussion post and the Final Exam. 

First, please do the following:

• Become familiar with the concept of the Cost of Caring. In order obtain a good understanding of this concept, you'll need to read the "Social Media & Stress" article and review the Comm Tech PowerPoint. 

Then, respond to the following two questions:

1. Do you feel like you experience the Cost of Caring with your own social media use (e.g., on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)? Why or why not? Please support your response with specific examples. 

Note: If you do not currently have any social media accounts but have been on social media in the past, please reflect on your prior experiences. If you've never had a social media account, then comment on whether you think you would experience the "cost" of caring if you were on social media. 

2. How can social media users reduce and/or avoid the "cost" of caring? For this question, you can discuss ways that you, specifically, can avoid the "cost" of caring or ways other people (in general) can avoid it.