What Are The Pros And Cons Of Social Media

Whether it’s updating a Facebook status, fitting a joke into 140 characters or uploading a picture of your lunch to Instagram, we are on the Internet a lot. Social media is a huge part of our culture, however, like most things in life, it has both its pros and cons. Most people admire it as a revolutionary invention and some seem to have a negative outlook on social media. It depends how an individual perceives it. Social media has rapidly altered our traditional understanding of relationships and personal information, especially for teens, although, it is still questionable whether or not it is helping or destroying us. Unlike the older generation, this generation can 't remember a world without the internet, which may be the reason

Of course it makes it a lot easier to keep in touch with people, whether it 's to contact your classmate for homework or talk to a relative in another country, but one can also benefit developmentally from media. It could help younger children with their literacy skills, “learning letters of the through educational computer games and apps like Teach Your Monster to Read.”(Raising Children). It could even help with social skills because there are many tv programs that demonstrate cooperative and helping behaviour. For educational benefits teens can further develop their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through blogs and chat rooms, as well as political and social awareness by watching news and reading about issues. (Raising Children). Online posting also “involves content that allows them to foster and nurture relationships with others via the blog.” (Adolescent Weblog Use) This is particularly evident in the use of comments. Additionally, it can help one feel better about themselves. For instance, when you post a photo of yourself you get positive compliments like “You 're beautiful”. "I think just as damaging as social media can be, it can ... help to build self-confidence, too” (CNN). Several studies show online interactions may decrease social anxiety and loneliness by creating an environment where adolescents can “express their true selves and gain acceptance in positive anonymous ways.” (Are Teens Really Addicted on Social Media?).They are more likely to experiment with their identities online because of the anonymity the Internet can provide to learn how to interact with people. A study concluded that about 21.5% of teenagers use social media because they are lonely or not fitting in, and 30% because they feel blue, worthless, or hopeless. (Adolescent Weblog