Effects of Social Media [Author Name(s), First M. Last, Omit Titles and Degrees]
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Effects of Social Media
Introduction
Social media has completely gained control over our lives and turned the world into a global village. It would be fair to acknowledge the fact how media has played a huge role in modifying the lifestyle of an average individual. It serves a major mode of communication which has not only reduced the distance between relationships but has also contributed to the field of advertisement ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"2lNr2YzM","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(\\uc0\\u8220{}What Is the Major Impact of Social Media?,\\uc0\\u8221{} 2016)","plainCitation":"(“What Is the Major Impact of Social Media?,” 2016)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":619,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/SIF7MWZE"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/SIF7MWZE"],"itemData":{"id":619,"type":"webpage","abstract":"How and to what extent the impact of social media can be felt by individuals and social groups. It may be positive or negative.","container-title":"Simplilearn.com","language":"en-US","title":"What Is the Major Impact of Social Media?","URL":"https://www.simplilearn.com/real-impact-social-media-article","accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",12,21]]},"issued":{"date-parts":[["2016",2,23]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (“What Is the Major Impact of Social Media?,” 2016). It is hard to fathom the benefits media is providing us considering the role of it in almost every aspect of our lives. However, on the other hand, it has an equal share in influencing our lives negatively. This essay will analyze both the negative and positive effects of social media in depth by providing evidence from various studies.
Discussion
Studies have reported that this excessive domination of social media in our daily lives has contributed to the prevalence of mental health issues in the population ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"sBNBV1VF","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Booker, Kelly, & Sacker, 2018)","plainCitation":"(Booker, Kelly, & Sacker, 2018)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":"g5VRCryY/oius63BN","uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/9FPdQOCJ/items/VINBK2HS"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/9FPdQOCJ/items/VINBK2HS"],"itemData":{"id":36,"type":"article-journal","title":"Gender differences in the associations between age trends of social media interaction and well-being among 10-15 year olds in the UK","container-title":"BMC public health","page":"321","volume":"18","issue":"1","source":"Google Scholar","author":[{"family":"Booker","given":"Cara L."},{"family":"Kelly","given":"Yvonne J."},{"family":"Sacker","given":"Amanda"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2018"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Booker, Kelly, & Sacker, 2018). Evidence suggests that teens who spend an excessive portion of their day on social media such as Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, etc. are reported to have an elevated ratio of depression and anxiety i.e. thirteen to sixty-six percent as compared to those who do not spend much time on social media. Social media has made individuals greedy for “likes”. This has resulted in the inclination of individuals towards making choices that do not define them but rather society. They alter their daily life activities, appearances, and even their behaviors for social acceptance. However, a greater percentage of the teenage population is aware that social media is only showing a part of the big picture, which actually may not be what it looks like. Despite this, they compare various aspects of their life with others under peer pressure. ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"y2MT9oOV","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(\\uc0\\u8220{}Lots of Time on Social Media Linked to Anxiety, Depression in Teens,\\uc0\\u8221{} n.d.)","plainCitation":"(“Lots of Time on Social Media Linked to Anxiety, Depression in Teens,” n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":"g5VRCryY/JQ4x6aip","uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/W88SZM2K"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/W88SZM2K"],"itemData":{"id":423,"type":"webpage","title":"Lots of Time on Social Media Linked to Anxiety, Depression in Teens","container-title":"US News & World Report","abstract":"US News is a recognized leader in college, grad school, hospital, mutual fund, and car rankings. Track elected officials, research health conditions, and find news you can use in politics, business, health, and education.","URL":"https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2019-09-11/lots-of-time-on-social-media-linked-to-anxiety-depression-in-teens","language":"en","accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",11,30]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (“Lots of Time on Social Media Linked to Anxiety, Depression in Teens,” n.d.). Studies have shown that the introduction of social media in women's life has contributed to the prevalence of jealousy among them. The same trend is also observed in men but the ratio is higher in women ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"HNhKzhfe","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Brown, n.d.)","plainCitation":"(Brown, n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":617,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/BEV3GGHJ"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/BEV3GGHJ"],"itemData":{"id":617,"type":"webpage","abstract":"What the science suggests so far about the impact of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram on your mental well-being.","language":"en","title":"Is social media bad for you? The evidence and the unknowns","title-short":"Is social media bad for you?","URL":"https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180104-is-social-media-bad-for-you-the-evidence-and-the-unknowns","author":[{"family":"Brown","given":"Jessica"}],"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",12,21]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Brown, n.d.). Moreover, through the excessive use of social media, people are more prone to the risk of cyberbullying which increases the incidence of depression and anxiety often leading to suicide attempts. Another reason is that due to limited privacy, individuals are inclined to gathering an excess amount of fake friendships which increases the risk of cyberbullying. Furthermore, less face to face social interaction and increased online meetings hinder the development of the genuine connection between various relationships such as family and friends which often leads to a lack of empathy and compassion ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"g4N4vMBC","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(\\uc0\\u8220{}Social Media and Teens,\\uc0\\u8221{} n.d.)","plainCitation":"(“Social Media and Teens,” n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":"g5VRCryY/XNQHgNpM","uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/ANDLICN9"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/ANDLICN9"],"itemData":{"id":421,"type":"post-weblog","title":"Social Media and Teens: How Does Social Media Affect Mental Health?","container-title":"Psycom.net - Mental Health Treatment Resource Since 1986","abstract":"Do the benefits of social media, like finding support online, outweigh the negative affects social media can have on teens' mental health?","URL":"https://www.psycom.net/social-media-teen-mental-health","title-short":"Social Media and Teens","language":"en-US","accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",11,30]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (“Social Media and Teens,” n.d.) According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, social media induces a sense of social isolation among individuals ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"RwrkEg0J","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Brown, n.d.)","plainCitation":"(Brown, n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":617,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/BEV3GGHJ"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/BEV3GGHJ"],"itemData":{"id":617,"type":"webpage","abstract":"What the science suggests so far about the impact of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram on your mental well-being.","language":"en","title":"Is social media bad for you? The evidence and the unknowns","title-short":"Is social media bad for you?","URL":"https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180104-is-social-media-bad-for-you-the-evidence-and-the-unknowns","author":[{"family":"Brown","given":"Jessica"}],"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",12,21]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Brown, n.d.)
Apart from negatively affecting mental health, social media is contributing to hurting a person's physical health. Various studies have suggested that the excess use of social media is a major cause of insomnia among individuals ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"zzp1sZlP","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Brown, n.d.)","plainCitation":"(Brown, n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":617,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/BEV3GGHJ"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/BEV3GGHJ"],"itemData":{"id":617,"type":"webpage","abstract":"What the science suggests so far about the impact of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram on your mental well-being.","language":"en","title":"Is social media bad for you? The evidence and the unknowns","title-short":"Is social media bad for you?","URL":"https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180104-is-social-media-bad-for-you-the-evidence-and-the-unknowns","author":[{"family":"Brown","given":"Jessica"}],"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",12,21]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Brown, n.d.). This is mainly due to the blue light of phone and laptop screens, which is thought to diminish the melatonin production in the body. Melatonin is a hormone that induces sleep but due to the excess use of blue light, individuals spend nights using social media without getting any sleep. This has, in turn, contributed towards decreased wellbeing. Due to the lack of sleep, individuals remain inactive and lazy during the day which has decreased their efficiency at work ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"XWInEocX","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Brown, n.d.)","plainCitation":"(Brown, n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":617,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/BEV3GGHJ"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/BEV3GGHJ"],"itemData":{"id":617,"type":"webpage","abstract":"What the science suggests so far about the impact of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram on your mental well-being.","language":"en","title":"Is social media bad for you? The evidence and the unknowns","title-short":"Is social media bad for you?","URL":"https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180104-is-social-media-bad-for-you-the-evidence-and-the-unknowns","author":[{"family":"Brown","given":"Jessica"}],"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",12,21]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Brown, n.d.).Teenagers are characterized as one of the highest media users. The study has shown that their health is diminishing with age ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"fs7U06km","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Booker et al., 2018)","plainCitation":"(Booker et al., 2018)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":"g5VRCryY/oius63BN","uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/9FPdQOCJ/items/VINBK2HS"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/9FPdQOCJ/items/VINBK2HS"],"itemData":{"id":36,"type":"article-journal","title":"Gender differences in the associations between age trends of social media interaction and well-being among 10-15 year olds in the UK","container-title":"BMC public health","page":"321","volume":"18","issue":"1","source":"Google Scholar","author":[{"family":"Booker","given":"Cara L."},{"family":"Kelly","given":"Yvonne J."},{"family":"Sacker","given":"Amanda"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2018"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Booker et al., 2018). The author concluded that during the early teenage years, a higher level of social media involvement has consequences for health in late adult years, especially for women.
On the other hand, many studies have also depicted that it is a major source of information sharing and knowledge transfer. The research was conducted which focused on determining the relationship between social media use and knowledge sharing in the field of academia. Authors established that social media is used for the sake of effective communication, development of new ideas, and group formation in the field of academia ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"vXxwg8Tn","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Ghazali, Sulaiman, Zaibidi, Omar, & Alias, 2016)","plainCitation":"(Ghazali, Sulaiman, Zaibidi, Omar, & Alias, 2016)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":"g5VRCryY/mW7KGtQW","uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/MP292T7C"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/MP292T7C"],"itemData":{"id":589,"type":"paper-conference","abstract":"The world of research require researcher, academia and lecturers to share knowledge among them. With the invention of social media, knowledge sharing process has been more effective and easy. Previously, there were numerous researches done to investigate the effect of social media utilization for public used. There were also study that aimed to study social media effects in educatioanal sector but those study were centered around student’s perspective. Less consideration is given towards academia’s perspective. Therefore, this study is directed to explore other niche area on knowledge sharing environment where it will focused on the effects of social media on knowledge sharing among academia. Initially, literature review analysis was done to discover the potential factors that encourage academia to engage in social media. Ability to facilitate communication, idea generation and group establishment are the most cited reasons. Not only that, this paper will highlight the significance of performing this study. In conclusion, there is no doubt that social media do enhance and upgrading the knowledge sharing process thus assisting academia in their scholarly work.","DOI":"10.1063/1.4966060","page":"030003","source":"ResearchGate","title":"The impact of knowledge sharing through social media among academia","volume":"1782","author":[{"family":"Ghazali","given":"Saadiah"},{"family":"Sulaiman","given":"Nor Intan"},{"family":"Zaibidi","given":"Nerda"},{"family":"Omar","given":"Mohd Faizal"},{"family":"Alias","given":"Rose"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2016",10,25]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Ghazali, Sulaiman, Zaibidi, Omar, & Alias, 2016). This effectively improves the quality of scholarly work in academia. Another evidence from the study depicts that the use of social media for knowledge sharing is promoted among doctors in healthcare facilities. The use is related to information gain regarding job search, migration or relevant experience of the profession ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"SK5WHJf3","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Imran, Fatima, Aslam, & Iqbal, 2019)","plainCitation":"(Imran, Fatima, Aslam, & Iqbal, 2019)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":"g5VRCryY/dg1CO8bN","uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/52PR3DPD"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/52PR3DPD"],"itemData":{"id":596,"type":"article-journal","abstract":"This exploratory study investigated the benefits of social media and to enhance knowledge sharing in the healthcare settings along with identification of challenges and possible solutions. Furthermore, the study elaborated the orientation of doctors about social media applications and in-role and extra-role knowledge sharing in their work settings. Fifteen semi-structured and nondirective interviews with the doctors in healthcare institutions operating in Southern Punjab, Pakistan were carried out under constructionism perspective. The interviews resulted in five major themes. The social media applications were found to advance knowledge sharing by promoting job related information transfer and voluntary sharing of tacit knowledge and experiences among doctors. Furthermore, the challenges faced in using social media as a knowledge sharing mechanism, and suggestions for improvement of its use among doctors were also brought to surface. The results added to the existing literature on social media and knowledge sharing in light of ‘dynamic theory of knowledge creation’ and ‘social network theory’. This study offered beneficial practical insights for practitioners and management of healthcare organizations for promotion of knowledge sharing through social media applications.","container-title":"Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research","issue":"2","source":"www.pjprnip.edu.pk","title":"Exploring the Benefits of Social Media Towards Knowledge Sharing Among Doctors","URL":"http://www.pjprnip.edu.pk/pjpr/index.php/pjpr/article/view/502","volume":"34","author":[{"family":"Imran","given":"Muhammad Kashif"},{"family":"Fatima","given":"Tehreem"},{"family":"Aslam","given":"Usman"},{"family":"Iqbal","given":"Syed Muhammad Javed"}],"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",12,19]]},"issued":{"date-parts":[["2019",7,19]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Imran, Fatima, Aslam, & Iqbal, 2019). Social media has connected the entire world. Since the introduction of Facebook, more than half of the world’s population i.e. 80%, has incorporated its use into their daily lives. It has become a major platform for individuals from various backgrounds and ethnicities to connect ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"Xb3wYeQ8","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(\\uc0\\u8220{}What Is the Major Impact of Social Media?,\\uc0\\u8221{} 2016)","plainCitation":"(“What Is the Major Impact of Social Media?,” 2016)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":619,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/SIF7MWZE"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/CKNkWnK9/items/SIF7MWZE"],"itemData":{"id":619,"type":"webpage","abstract":"How and to what extent the impact of social media can be felt by individuals and social groups. It may be positive or negative.","container-title":"Simplilearn.com","language":"en-US","title":"What Is the Major Impact of Social Media?","URL":"https://www.simplilearn.com/real-impact-social-media-article","accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",12,21]]},"issued":{"date-parts":[["2016",2,23]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (“What Is the Major Impact of Social Media?,” 2016). This has resulted in information sharing and knowledge transfer at the global level.
Conclusion
From various studies, it is concluded that social media has both negative and positive impacts on an individual as well as the society. It has increased the incidence of depression and anxiety among individuals. Privacy issues and cyberbullying have been major consequences of social media technology. On the other hand, social media has contributed to the sharing of information and knowledge transfer among individuals as well as communities which depicts that its effect is solely dependent on its use.
References
ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL {"uncited":[],"omitted":[],"custom":[]} CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY Booker, C. L., Kelly, Y. J., & Sacker, A. (2018). Gender differences in the associations between age trends of social media interaction and well-being among 10-15 year olds in the UK. BMC Public Health, 18(1), 321.
Brown, J. (n.d.). Is social media bad for you? The evidence and the unknowns. Retrieved December 21, 2019, from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180104-is-social-media-bad-for-you-the-evidence-and-the-unknowns
Ghazali, S., Sulaiman, N. I., Zaibidi, N., Omar, M. F., & Alias, R. (2016, October 25). The impact of knowledge sharing through social media among academia. 1782, 030003. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4966060
Imran, M. K., Fatima, T., Aslam, U., & Iqbal, S. M. J. (2019). Exploring the Benefits of Social Media Towards Knowledge Sharing Among Doctors. Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research, 34(2). Retrieved from http://www.pjprnip.edu.pk/pjpr/index.php/pjpr/article/view/502
Lots of Time on Social Media Linked to Anxiety, Depression in Teens. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2019, from US News & World Report website: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2019-09-11/lots-of-time-on-social-media-linked-to-anxiety-depression-in-teens
Social Media and Teens: How Does Social Media Affect Mental Health? (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2019, from Psycom.net—Mental Health Treatment Resource Since 1986 website: https://www.psycom.net/social-media-teen-mental-health
What Is the Major Impact of Social Media? (2016, February 23). Retrieved December 21, 2019, from Simplilearn.com website: https://www.simplilearn.com/real-impact-social-media-article
