Tamara McClintock 2013 Social media challenges relationships because it can convince the user that face-to-face communication is equal to online chatting. “Occasional bad moods or acting out is to be expected, but depression is something different. Depression can destroy the very essence of a teenager’s personality, causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger.” This negative result of Facebook becomes an issue because it triggers unhealthy responses. Teens handle depression by shutting down from parents, eliminating friends, or hanging out with a new crowd. Isolation becomes a negative outcome that depressed teens experience.
Facebook, Twitter and other social platforms have become one of the central activities in human affairs. Used by people around the world promoting communication, social media gives scope to everyone to exhibit their ideas and thoughts. The plethora of social platforms is a revolutionary invention that is changing the way of how people moderate and communicate with others in their daily lives. Although many people admire this revolutionary concept, it can be argued that it has a negative impact on society. Extensive usage of social media can cause addiction, affecting productivity, and also reduce the level of human interaction, which in turn leads to isolation.
Critics believe that social media is making relationships difficult because it makes teens lack the ability to talk to someone in person. This negatively affects teens because talking to someone in person is a necessary skill for many jobs. Although critics argue that social media is unhealthy for relationships, supporters argue that it helps them. Supporters argue that it “makes it easier for individuals to keep in touch with friends, family, and colleagues” (Clemmitt). They also argue that “most people use social media not to avoid others but to stay in touch with them” (“Social Networking”).
People even try to determine their popularity, success, and self worth through the amount of "likes" they get, and "friends" they have on social media. Another article by Feinstein et al., discusses an issue known as "Facebook Depression" which is an effect of spending too much time on social media. In other words, spending an extensive amount of time on social media gives users too much time to compare their appearance, success and popularity to other people they see on social media. Both articles show that social media is correlated to negative psychological effects such as depression and anxiety. Although the use of social media may increase interaction through the virtual world it actually decreases interaction with people in the real world.
A well-known issue in anti-social behavior of the internet is cyber bullying. Users feel that this behavior is not harmful because they can be anonymous online. This hostile behavior can worsen mental disorders such as depression and anxiety in teens affected by cyber bullying (Twenge, 14). The ability to send hateful comments and death treats via social media has changed people’s ideas about each other. Regarding the fact that most of these threats made are not acted upon in real life, the online society attempts to normalize these acts of aggression as if they don’t mean anything.
Body There are several effects that can result from the extensive use of social media by individuals. This can include poor interpersonal skills, lack of communication skills, internet addition, infidelity and presentation skills (Mesch & Talmud 2010). This is because the extensive use of social networking platforms such as Facebook & Twitter reduces the need for physical interaction and contact. However, the ... ... middle of paper ... ...t people who spend much time on social media end up losing their connection with people such that their social media friendships do not develop to stronger relationships due to lack of physical interaction. Conclusion The extensive use of social media has greatly changed today’s personal relationships due to the amount of time taken on social media as opposed to physical interactions.
Some are of the view that social networks affect young people’s lives in a negative manner. On the other hand, there are scholars who defend the use of social network. In fact, our younger generation seems to forget and are blind about the side-effects of social networks, while they enjoy high-tech facilities that are filled with numerous leisure and entertainments. However, I strongly believe that social networks will not only have enormous influence on young people’s mental health, such as the sense of being more isolated, or feeling lonelier than ever before. But, it also is about inappropriate content and online Cyber-bullying.
One other way of cyberbullying is that some politicians or celebrities are threatened because of different political or social views. Without well-organized use of social media, it can have its negative effects on people while they are not aware of it. Social media changed the way we interact and it can a powerful source of knowledge only if used in proper way at proper time. It can be very helpful for students in their studies although it can very distracting to them if they did not keep track the time spent online. A conclusion is here, social media can have both its positive and negative effects.
The use of social media has increased depression in today’s teenagers. On Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, people post pictures and statuses of what they are doing. Documenting every move has become something of a fad. Just sitting at home, trying to relax can be stressful because with all these posts, people can see a bunch of things that they could or should be doing. Am I missing out?
“Opponents of social networking say that the sites prevent face-to-face communication; waste time on frivolous activity; alter children’s brains and behavior making them more prone to ADHD; and spread false and potentially dangerous information” stated in the article (Are Social Networking Sites Good for Our Society)? Social networking is changing the world of today. Teens assume social networking as beneficial but there are several disadvantages. Social networking has impacted teen’s lives’ and perspectives of the world. Social networking spreads false information, lacks privacy, lowers grades, and ends friendships.