Negative Effects Of Social Media Essay

There are many contributing factors that create an anti-social society that we call the present. The main cause for this is that instead of making genuine conversation, we would rather use our phones. The more our phones advance the more we will notice awkward, if any conversation in the world. It is apparent that social media is creating a depressed, anti-social society.

A prevalent issue regarding social media and interactions exists between researchers and social network users. Social media is currently changing how relationships between people are created. Relationships can exist through people across the world through social media and can produce more emotional bonds with friends that you can see everyday. On the other hand, social media also could present conflicts due to the fact that some of these relationships can become unhealthy and that people could change to be more dependent on internet friends, becoming introverted.

Social media are websites or applications that most of people use every day, but it can cause several harmful effects, such as symptoms of mental health, increase cyberbullying, and reduce productivity. Social media is a place where people can share their personal information, pictures, videos, ideas, and different form of expressions. It also the great place where people can interact with each other by using the text posts or comments. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter are the platform social media that most of people use. Each people has different purpose of using social network, such as communicate with friends, or promote a business. According to the Statita.com, in 2017, 81 percent of U.S. Americans had a social media profile, representing a five percent growth compared to the previous year.

The use of social networking sites is rising at great rates. According to a report conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project in 2012, ninety-five percent of individuals aged 12-17 use the internet; and eighty-one percent of those use social network sites (Pew Interest). Although it is known that social media can have a useful impact on lives, often times people forget that with a positive comes a negative. The continual use of social network sites will impact teen lives more negatively than positively because they can cause huge distractions from valuable and critical pursuits like education; they can also cause mental health issues and a reduction in communication skills.

Technology plays a big role in people’s progression in relationships. Social media is the big boom in social relationships, they connect more people in more ways than one. Even though Parents worry about their children on social media, teens can find a positive outcome from it. Social media positively impacts teen relationships. Teens say that social media has more positive effects rather than negative on relationships. Also, most kids that are introverted can find kids that have similar interest online, and make new friends.

The English Definition of social media is “websites and other online means of communication that are used by large groups of people to share information and to develop social and professional contacts” (“social media”). In comparison a German professor defines social media like this: Social media is used for the connection of their users and their communication through the Internet (Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel). One can see that the definition is nearly the same although the people descend from completely different countries and cultures. Additionally, there was a big change in the use of social media in the last years, which was influenced by the fast development of technology.

Since the birth of social media people have argued whether it has a positive or negative effect on society. Social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram give people a chance to stay connected. Although, with the power of social media comes the possibility of cyber bullying. While there are some negatives associated with social media, the positives in communication all around, has made the world stronger and a better place to live in.

Most people believe that social messaging is more of a benefit than a consequence, but using social media can actually be harmful. Social media is something most kids, teens, and even some adults are using all the time. It has become a part of our generation’s lives. Having people on their phones all day long is not only disappointing, but also damaging. Instead of talking to someone face-to-face and hanging out, people prefer just texting or going on a social network. For some people understanding a life without social media is near impossible. Using social media can have some adverse effects such as: it causes cyberbullying, it can compromise education, and it could have an effect on social skills.

The 21st century is defined by its obsession and advancements in technology, the younger generation in particular. Technology plays as a key factor in most lives, social media especially. Among the most popular of social media are Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, all with the main purpose to share or view personal information and experiences, communicate with others and meet new people on social or professional grounds. There are several positives and negatives effects associated with social media, making it a topic of debate whether it is creating more good or harm for today’s society.

From "thintastic" blogs to suicide stories, social media has become not only a source of conversation but a gateway to harmful suggestions that many teenagers see and believe to be allowable, when in fact the situations proposed are dangerous to those who attempt them. Statistics show that 20% of anorexic teenagers will die prematurely, and 80% of teenagers who commit suicide are depressed (South). Social media has glorified and brought to attention eating disorders, depression, and suicide among teens that might otherwise not become a statistic in these critical categories.

the time of terrorist attacks. They inform people of the location of the attack, and of any safe locations people can evacuate to if needed. In areas high in earthquake activity such as Indonesia, social media is used to warn people of potential upcoming earthquakes. If an earthquake ends up striking an area, news of it is quickly posted on social media, and groups are quickly assembled to carry natural disaster cleanup. On a much lighter note, Vancouver uses social media to inform people when garbage pick-ups will take place (Guo). The world is slowly learning to use social media more and more as a public service information delivery system, whether it be for a surprising disastrous situation, or news for everyday life.

There are many factors that contribute to stress, anxiety and depression. These social disorders are often related. It us understood that numerous things can cause these different feelings. Depression is defined as persistent feelings of sadness and worthlessness and a lack of desire to engage in formerly pleasurable activities (Psychology Today). Extensive research has been done to find out the reasoning behind these emotions and what can be done to control them. As we look a little deeper into the topic, could depression be directly linked with the use of various social media platforms people use every day, such as Facebook? Are these social media platforms effecting people’s everyday lives?

How much time do people spend on a cell phone or computer daily? What percentage of that time is consumed doing things other than scrolling through Instagram, twitter, and Facebook feeds or snap chatting peers? Seventy three percent of wired teens use social media websites (PEW research center). We live in a society where social media dominates a vast majority of our life. Individuals of the 21st century are deemed as good or bad friends based on liking a peers’ photo. Social media provides individuals with instant gratification as they see the innumerable amount of likes piling up on their home screens instantly after posting pictures. Vanessa Lapointe, through a relatable series of emotional developments, targets teens and families caught up in social media to inform them about the dangers of tech-based social apps and the vitality of monitoring what we say, do, and like. Our actions, although they may seem immensely minuscule, have large implications. Lapointe, therefore, effectively uses pathos to target parents who are concerned about the effects of social media on their children’s futures.

Being that social media has had such a huge impact on how people all around the world connect today, some may argue that its system has become corrupt and its purposes have changed. In reality, social media, like every other technological advancement, has its pros and cons, however the positive effects that it has on teens in particular outway its negative effects. The platform still offers many new opportunities for users to relate and support each other; offering a source of healthy communication, and a way of keeping close with your peers without being with them every step of the way. The programs that are commonly used today are actually proven to make teens more outgoing and provide users with non stop engagement, allowing people from all around the world to network and develop new interests.

Today, social media is everywhere. Playing a big role in people’s life social media has made interactions among people easier. However, although, social media is easy to use it brings society many problems. In other words, in spite of the fact that social media has been, and still is, an essential means of communication, it can be harmful intentionally and unintentionally. Therefore, I strongly believe that social media does more harm than good and that social media users should think twice before publicising their posts on the internet since firstly cyberbullying has become predominant ever since the introduction of social media, secondly there has been a decrease in face to face interaction between people and thirdly it’s a waste of time for young people.