# Social Media, Quo Vadis? Prospective Development and Implications
## 2 Theoretical Background and Development of Projections
### Individual Effects  
Current effects of social media usage on individuals' cognition and behavior have already been subject to intense research efforts. In this section, we will address possible future developments. The emergence of social media caused both optimism about promising benefits for individuals and concerns about potential negative effects [92; 93]. We formulate projections for both cases.  
Social media can pose potential advantages for users with mental illnesses, given that they connect with others in online communities on social media. Benefits of the interaction include sharing and providing advice and hope, a feeling of group belonging and connectedness and also potentially seeking mental health care treatment [93]. [PERSON] et al. support these findings and suggest that Facebook groups provide a positive, beneficial, and safe place for adolescents with depression [94]. However, several studies find a negative impact of social media on wellbeing [95]. Therefore, both assumptions could be used as a projection. We use the positive correlation (which could be rejected by the panel): _P32. Social media will increase users' general wellbeing._Even though time spent on social media has not been directly linked to an increase in depression and anxiety among adolescents [96; 97], several studies confirm negative effects for individuals. Therefore, we can assume: P33. Social media will increase depression among users.  
Young adults with high social media use tend to feel more socially isolated than those with lower social media usage [98; 99; 100]. In contrast, [PERSON] and [PERSON] emphasize that the perception of loneliness is actually decreasing, if image-based social media networks such as Instagram or Snapchat are visited [101]. Likewise, users' experience with image-based platforms increased happiness and satisfaction with life [101]. Therefore, we posit two contradicting projections: P34. Social media will increase real-life social contacts between users. P35. Social media will increase users' isolation and loneliness.  
[PERSON] and [PERSON] found that adolescents are more exposed to negative body image and body shame [102]. Moreover, the use of social media has been associated with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors [92]. Consequently, we formulate the following projection: P36. Social media will increase users' negative body images.  
Individuals who enjoy feeding their ego in terms of receiving instant feedback and positive recognition on social media platforms are more likely to show addictive behaviors towards social media [103]. [PERSON] and [PERSON] agree that narcissism is associated with certain social media uses [104]. Narcissism relates to high levels of self-importance, self-esteem, and the imagination of unlimited success and power [105]. However, due to lack of evidence it is uncertain if social media is one of the causes of developing narcissism [104]. However, we can state the following assumption: P37. Social media will increase users' self-centeredness and narcissism.  
Different media types evoke different media consumption behaviors [106; 107; 108]. Due to the high pace and potential information overload of social media, its use might lead to decreased attention spans [109]: P38. Social media will reduce users' attention span.