Negative Effects Of Social Media

Next time you are out in public, notice how many people are immersed in their cellular devices. I bet you will see a lot, and most likely these people are on their social media accounts. According to Brooke Lusk, the database and media manager for the Prevention Researcher, social media can be defined as, “an aspect of the internet which allows individuals and groups to create and publish online content, share the content, and interact about it.” These days, people are very involved with the internet and social media. Some think this is a benefit while others think this is a detriment for many reasons. Social media allows people to stay connected and explore new things, but there are many negative aspects that can affect self esteem, cause

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.

When thinking about a drug, most people think to substances like heroin and cannabis; however, there is new substance that has been sweeping nations. A drug is a substance that has a phycological effect when introduced to the body. Though people don’t think of social media as a drug, it has the same addictive side effects. Upon reading article “Addicted to Distraction” by Tony Schwartz, which talks about the addiction society has to social media and its effects, I realized what a drug social media is. This generation has experienced technology like never before, and it has led to advantages and disadvantages. Although social media can be fun, there is a developing addiction that has causes, effects, and solutions.

Are teens being affected by social media and causing them to have eating disorders? Have you ever looked at something on the media and thought to yourself, I wish I looked like them or I wish I was as perfect as them? Teens are struggling everyday because of the things they see on social media. Teens constantly feel as if they need to compare themselves to the “perfect ones”. Yes, teens are being negatively affected by social media because they want to “fit in”, feel confident and the pressure from the media causes them to come upon some sort of negative affects.

Having social media in our upcoming generation has become one of the most popular sources of communication. Young teenagers growing up in today’s generation with social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter have provided pictures and videos that have become the first thing people look at in the morning, and the last thing they see before bed. These pictures have provided unrealistic standards as to what is considered beautiful in today’s society. By establishing unattainable standards of beauty and bodily perfection, the media drive ordinary people to dissatisfaction with their body images. The dissatisfaction can results in resorts to drastic measures, and even disorders of behavior, as people try to achieve these unreachable goals.

Social networking is a primary source for influencing negative behaviors, especially egotism and relationship troubles. Social media gives people an opportunity for users to share content with their friends and followers. However, some people who post photos or videos of themselves online for international viewing become more narcissistic, and will constantly refer to themselves as being of a more higher standard than others. According to one online source, the author states some online communities have the potential for altering with a user’s mentality, and can render the mind to act more egotistical and reduce their focus on other situations (Derbyshire, 2011). The claim presented by Derbyshire demonstrates that a few social networking sites can do just about as much damage to a person’s behavior than being isolated from it. The amount of content posted online by an egotistical user raises the bar for them to only care about themselves rather than the wellbeing of others. A user’s attention span (as mentioned in the data) decreases drastically due to their constant attachment to a mobile device daily as again, the attention is only focused on them. It is mainly how this young brain develops; it becomes inconsistent the more time spent on these mobile platforms for potential virtual stardom. Besides the narcissism, social media can also be the result of modern-day relationship issues. In a 2017 study done by Deseret News and Brigham Young University, the research shows

With the help of technology, we can spread information faster than any other media source. From natural disasters, a famous figure passing away, or other shocking news; it only takes seconds for a friend to post it on their social media page, along with their reaction. With that in mind, because we live in the information age, the abundance of data we are exposed to can easily cause weariness (Kelly). As not everything shared is of interest to some individuals due to the information can be truthful, untruthful, or an opinion of the writer. Truthful information oftentimes becomes difficult to ascertain. While social media has allowed thousands to have a voice and spreads information that the user feels is important, a side effect is the spreading of false information distinguished as the truth. According to a website called Statista, eighty-one percent of U.S. Americans have had a social media profile, which is a five percent growth to previous years (Peng). While those numbers can be helpful while spreading news of a lost child on social media, negative results can take place as well. I have experienced firsthand how social media can spread news like wildfire, but in the process, the information gets twisted and changed becoming no longer truthful. Despite the previous viewpoint on the positives of social media, there are noticeably more negatives that imperil individuals.

Social media has given businesses a newfound advantage when it comes to reaching out and touching the community and expending its brand. As a student at California Baptist University, I am majoring in Public relations. I have recently learned that in the world of public relations, most businesses and organizations use social media on a daily basis. With the right amount of research and time being invested, businesses can see all the benefits that expanding on social media has to offer.

In our current technology dominated world, a great number of social networking sites exist, which many of us use as a way of communicating with others. Although the majority of us find social media very useful and convenient, there are lots of consequences that follow with its use. Recognizing the dangers of social media, Danielle Reed attempts to prompt her readers to reduce the amount of time spent on such sites through her article, “Negative Impact of Social Networking Sites”. Being a social networking manager, Reed is able to notice teenagers as the primary users of social media. Because of this, Reed focuses on swaying not only teenagers, but also their parents through her article by describing the risks of using social networks. Even though Reed lacks in the use of pathos throughout her article, her ample supply of statistical support and plausible sources greatly assists in effectively persuading the readers to cut down the use of social networks.

The relevance and use of social media has increased over the past twenty years and has become a permanent aspect of society. Social media is defined as a set of internet-based tools that support social interactions which encompass a variety of technologies, including online social networks, examples of which include Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram (National Research Council). According to a recent study performed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, twenty-two percent of teens access the social media platform that they prefer more than ten times in a single day, and “more than half of adolescents log on to a social media site more than once a day” (O'Keeffe). As the dependence on social media continues to rise, the controversy surrounding the effects it has on our society continues to grow. This reliance has changed our interpersonal communication skills and how we relate to one another as well as our self-perception. As we continue to expand knowledge and use of technology as an accepted means of social interaction, this addiction will continue. The impact of social media has negatively changed how we communicate, view ourselves, and how crime is carried out.

Typewriters to computers, telephones to smartphones, written letters to communicating through social media such as snapchat and instagram, demonstrates how times have changed with communication. The earlier generations growing up had to use their imaginations and creative minds in order to be entertained. Playing outside with friends, building forts, and playing school were some of the many favorite activities of children. Today, you see smartphones in the hands of young children, changing children's ideas of fun. Now it is a struggle to find someone that is not a registered user of some type of social media website, such as snapchat, twitter, facebook, or instagram. It is everywhere and extremely hard to get away

In the twenty-first century, social media plays an extensive part in most people’s lives. Instagram, Twitter, and many other social networks can cause adverse psychological harm and even lead to physical harm. Although many may argue that social media pertains to be useful, there prove to be more harmful aspects rather than helpful aspects of these media sites. These effects are not only psychological, but they may also be physical. Not only do social networks cause depression, anxiety, and cyberbullying, they also can result in decreased privacy and physical harm. By recognizing these harmful effects, it is possible to combat negative ramifications effectively.

Everyone knows that teens love going on social networking sites such as Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, or Instagram, but what some don’t know is that these sites can actually cause harm to them. Social media has been around since 1997, about 20 years. Social media is intended to help people stay caught up with their friends, and family, and also with what’s going on in the world today. Social media, however, is causing negative effects on today’s teens, such as, causing anxiety and depression, lowering self-esteem, and also affecting their brain development.

Everyday technology is improving—allowing consumers to easily access and stay plugged into social media sites every minute of every day. But what impact does this constant connection have on a person? Growing up, I didn’t have internet so I wasn’t able to have an account on any platform of social media. This lack of access had me feeling left out, but allowed me to visibly see the effects social networking sites had on my peers throughout my childhood. Though I did create accounts on Facebook, Snapchat, and Tumblr after I moved out, I felt I had a better awareness of the potential effects social media could have on me, because of how I saw it affect others in my past. Some argue that social networking is a healthy way to connect and bring people across the globe together. Others believe it leads people to develop depressive symptoms, experience anxiety, and overall be dissatisfied with their lives. As access to technology and being “plugged-in” becomes the norm, it is necessary to take note the impact it can have on a person’s life. Although some believe social networking sites have many benefits, given what we’re learning about the effects of social media on older adolescents and young adults, parents should think twice before allowing young children to use social networks

Our lives seem to be more and more consumed by technology as great advances in this area have continue to be made, especially when it comes to social media. Many researchers have begun to notice that depending on how much time individuals spend on these social media sites, they can negatively affect their daily lifestyle in very significant ways.  For example, social networking has become a huge distraction for students and it can affect their grades depending on how often they check their various accounts while doing class work.  Researchers have also come to find out that social media can contribute to the development of psychological symptoms