Effects of Online Social Networks on Adolescent's Health Essay

Today’s teens mental and physical health has declined in recent years due to internet use. A study conducted by Pew Research Center in 2015 found that 92% of teens go online daily and 24% of them almost constantly. This amount of internet usage results

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are commonly used among the younger generations, but can the excessive use of these apps cause mayhem? According to a new study conducted by the Family Technology Education Non-Profit Group, teenagers are spending nearly 9 hours a day on social media. The excessive use of social media is a bad influence on adolescents because of the negative impacts it has. Social media can cause direct impacts to the mental health, safety, and lives of its users. Teenagers need to ensure that they are being cautious and responsible while using different social media networks.

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.

In today’s society, computers and mobile devices have become a big part of our everyday routine. The internet is also a part that many of us have learned to appreciate. Social media, for instance, is a part of the internet that has created a way for people to communicate across the world. However, our teenagers that have taken on the use of social media to the extent that if it is not monitored properly, it can have some very bad effects on their overall well being. Even though social media is known as a great social network tool, its harm in our society. Teenagers use of social media is of particular importance not only because they are vulnerable, but also because they are among the biggest users of social networking.

Narcissism is a personality disorder in which one possesses an inflated sense of superiority and arrogance and an extreme level of selfishness. It is commonly accepted that narcissism can be separated into two sub-groups; Grandiose Narcissism (GN) and Vulnerable Narcissism (VN). Grandiose narcissism is associated with high self-esteem and extraversion whereas vulnerable narcissism is associated with low self-esteem and a masking of emotions. Social media sites, such as Facebook, allow for a level of self-promotion that appeal the narcissists sense of self-worth and superiority. In a study conducted by Panek, Nardis and Konrath in 2013, it was found that there lies a positive relationship between grandiose narcissism and the amount of posting

In this day and age the amount of teen almost constant use of social media and smartphones have reached extraordinary levels. Ages 13-17 go on these types of thing almost several times a day it's starting to become apart of the daily life. The amount continues to climb to even greater numbers each and everyday.

An overview of the literature discusses the influence media portrays on adolescents. Some propose that the authors are projecting that the youth are negatively effected by the media. Others, however, believe that violence portrayed by the media does not have any real long-term effects on the well being on youths. The three articles selected consider their evidence for this controversial subject.

The term narcissism is presumably a psychology term. The definition of narcissism in psychology term is “Extreme selfishness, with a grandiose view of one’s own talents and a craving for admiration, as characterizing a personality type,” (Oxford Dictionary 2013). Some of the synonyms associated with narcissism is vanity, self-absorption, conceit, self-admiration, and just to name a few. People that have these characteristics are usually called narcissists. Even if a person have never been in any psychology class, there is still a great chance that they heard this word associated within the media, associated with certain celebrities, and now on social media.

The original intent of my project was to start developing a new way to engage middle school students while reading a novel together in class. The idea of using social media to facilitate learning and communicate with parents seemed like a natural place to start given the current role technology plays in adolescent lives.

The teen years can be a challenging time, and social networks can be places for teens to turn to for support and advice when going through challenging experiences (Nielsen, 2009). Adolescents who use Facebook have been shown to demonstrate more “virtual empathy” (Rosen, 2011). Social networking can be a positive and somewhat easier way for adolescents to get to know and become accepting of others from “diverse backgrounds” (Clark-Pearson, O’Keeffe, 2011). As well as providing social support, social media sites can also provide medical support. Adolescents can easily and anonymously seek medical advice (Clark-Pearson, O’Keeffe, 2011).

Nowadays, a lot of teenagers are addicted to Facebook. Like everyone knows, Facebook is a type of social network and through Facebook we can know other people

In this case, the study proved that teens and young adults have become obsessed with social networking and has led to many questions if networking is good or bad (Conger, 2010). In 2009, the media expressed that social networking could cause harm to our bodies and brains by “shortening our attention spans” and “weakening our immune systems” (Conger, 2010). Whereas other studies that have been conducted prove the opposite and suggests that teens who spend more time on social networking sites are more likely to be “well-adjusted” and “psychologically” healthy (Healy, 2010). At this point, it’s time to investigate the pros and cons of children being on social networking sites and understand why parents are against social networking and why certain individuals feel that networking is beneficial.

Loneliness and social depression are additional effects of social networks. Teenagers live to compare. The questions of “Whose smarter/prettier/thinner/more fun?” always seem to be in mind and social networking sites are making this worse. With the ability to view others changed profile pictures, status updates, and check ins. These online destinations have also been reported increase cyber bullying, and the feeling of rejection, Aaron Smith states. For example when a girl sees her ex change relationship statues, yet she clearly has not moved on yet, seeing it right there knowing all their friends can see it, only caused harm and sadness that could have been avoided. Also teenagers who are naturally outgoing start losing the distinction between genuine friends and acquaintances. People are spending time maintaining relationships with

At any given time of day, anyone can access an abundant amount of information at the click of a button. Men, women, kids, teenagers, adults and even the elderly are learning how to use the internet to their advantage. Among all the benefits the internet has provided to us, online communication has proven to be the most beneficial. Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace have made it easy for everyone to stay in contact with each other. Regardless of how far apart a family member or friend is, everyone is just one click away. If someone is not having a good day, they can share their feelings with everyone in a matter of seconds. These social networking sites have become quite popular among adolescents. They allow teens to stay more connected with their friends outside of school. Now teens have become more obsessed with their friends Facebook or Twitter status than engaging in outdoor activities like football or

Culture in the modern age is characterized by more complexity than ever before; particularly after the mass use of the Internet. Each particular ethnicity and culture must adapt into the culture as a hole, yet the way the Internet has changed the way humans act with each other has no precedent in history not even the telephone changed culture this dramatically (Storey). Less than two decades ago, primarily academics and scientists used the Internet. Today, it is a major contributor to increased global communication, data access, research, personal communication, social networking, and recreation. As Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft commented, "The main advantage of any new technology is that it amplifies human potential," clearly the Internet falls into that category (Gates).