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Is Social Media Helping or Harming Us?
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Is Social Media Helping or Harming Us?
Introduction
Human beings have witnessed tremendous evolutions with the passage of time. Primarily, technology defined and shaped the nature of innovation and progress. One of the prominent manifestations of technological advancement is the advent of social media. When it first became popular, its essential concept was a paradigm between technology and people. At the very heart of the success of social media, like the relationships and interactions of communities. However, it is a contentious debate to determine whether social media has contributed toward society or desecrated it. A critical appraisal of the matter reflects social media has manifested adverse comparisons. It never implies it has failed to cast positive impacts as it has revolutionized the mode of interaction between societies. Cyberbullying, alienation from potential social interaction, depression and the threat of suicide are the potential adversities caused by social media.
Discussion
Social media possess a dichotomous power to enable connectivity while simultaneously dividing and distancing communities. The primary aspect is the revolution and transformation in the contemporary generation and creation of a new form that prefers not to engage in potential eye contact or conversations. The element of depersonalization essentially fuels the adverse implications vested in text messages, Email, Snapchat and similar applications ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"yGpWaYSm","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Institute, n.d.)","plainCitation":"(Institute, n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":2341,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/LXN7K2KW"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/LXN7K2KW"],"itemData":{"id":2341,"type":"webpage","title":"How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers","container-title":"Child Mind Institute","abstract":"Adolescence is an important period of social and intellectual development, and too few of us are paying attention to how our teenagers’ use of technology is affecting them.","URL":"https://childmind.org/article/how-using-social-media-affects-teenagers/","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Institute","given":"Rachel Ehmke is managing editor at the Child Mind"}],"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",4,11]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Institute, n.d.). Several social media platforms have become a tool for exploiting the bots, propaganda and trolls to exhibit cultural discord, create tumult and influence political state of affairs. In addition, the elements of social life have accelerated to such a significant extent that it appears challenging to keep up with the pace. The critical fears of being uninformed or letting the profound opportunity go have reflected detrimental consequences where depression is the prominent aspect.
The research question can be answered by assessing the social patterns, norms and cultural variations observed in societies ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"a29HqRVJ","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(\\uc0\\u8220{}1. Teens and their experiences on social media | Pew Research Center,\\uc0\\u8221{} 2018)","plainCitation":"(“1. Teens and their experiences on social media | Pew Research Center,” 2018)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":2353,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/YGAS3RS5"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/YGAS3RS5"],"itemData":{"id":2353,"type":"post-weblog","title":"1. Teens and their experiences on social media | Pew Research Center","abstract":"Social media has given teens the ability to instantly connect with others and share their lives through photos, videos and status updates. Teens","URL":"https://www.pewinternet.org/2018/11/28/teens-and-their-experiences-on-social-media/","language":"en-US","issued":{"date-parts":[["2018",11,28]]},"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",4,11]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (“1. Teens and their experiences on social media | Pew Research Center,” 2018). In the past decades, humans utilized the direct means of communication to meet, engage or resolve an affair in true letter and spirits. The paradigm of social media has abrogated the need for potential communication and deluded societies toward fabricated modes of interaction. Cyberbullying is one of the critical harmful impacts of social networking platforms as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Prior to these social networking platforms, people were bullied but the flexibility and anonymity while bullying others have aggravated the scenario ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"wS2K5pfv","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(N, 2015)","plainCitation":"(N, 2015)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":2345,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/GWDPAV88"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/GWDPAV88"],"itemData":{"id":2345,"type":"article-journal","title":"The Impact of Social Networking Sites on the Youth","container-title":"Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism","volume":"05","issue":"12","source":"DOI.org (Crossref)","URL":"http://www.omicsgroup.org/journals/the-impact-of-social-networking-sites-on-the-youth-2165-7912-1000285.php?aid=65365","DOI":"10.4172/2165-7912.1000285","ISSN":"21657912","author":[{"family":"N","given":"Khurana"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2015"]]},"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",4,11]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (N, 2015). If a person desires to hurt others without uttering radical remarks, the person can react on a picture or post to hurt the sentiments of others in front of others. The exposure of personal and secret information is the biggest mistake made by people on social networking platforms. Once the confidential data, pictures or information is exploited by the blackmailers, they leave no stone unturned to exploit the person and hurt potentially for materialistic gains. Derogatory, unwanted, threatening and embarrassing messages or comments are the common forms of cyberbullying on these platforms. The implications of cyberbullying are similar or even more perilous than traditional bullying. It is essential to highlight cyberbullying manifests in persistent and long term mental complications in comparison to other kinds of bullying. The advent and innovation of contemporary smartphone technologies have aggravated vulnerability by offering the element of anonymity to the perpetrator. Thus, it is an explicit illustration that social media has harmful impacts on society.
Moreover, a wide range of researchers has concluded through empirical studies those social networking applications as Facebook is likely to cause depression. Facebook Depression is a prominent term associated with such depressive symptoms. The trends on these platforms assert significance on a complicated state of mind of youth and adolescents. For instance, they are largely inclined toward seeking appreciation or commendation from others rather than pursuing the inherent or desired path. Recent research concluded Facebook users will be immensely prone to depression in circumstances where they are habitual of spending leisure time on Facebook, have a significant number of online friends and prefer to brag about their belongings or lifestyle. There exist a population of 7 billion on the earth and if not all, a massive spectrum of the population is indulged toward these patterns and receiving radical impacts ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"aOzROJvw","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Kamal, Tariq, Ishtiaq, Nawab, & Idrees, 2015)","plainCitation":"(Kamal, Tariq, Ishtiaq, Nawab, & Idrees, 2015)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":2346,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/PRCJL2XV"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/PRCJL2XV"],"itemData":{"id":2346,"type":"paper-conference","title":"An Investigation into the Negative Impacts of Social Media on Academic Performance of Youth","source":"Semantic Scholar","abstract":"This study is an attempt to know about the negative impacts of social media on the students of swat university district swat. It is quite explicit that use of social media is a burning and blistering issue of the day as well as the major concern of the day. In this regard this attempt was undertaken to highlight the issue and bring intimation regard the burning phenomenon among the masses as well as concerned people. The data is thoroughly analyzed in the result highlighting that there are negative impacts of social media on academic performance youth. Most of the data has been collected from literate and educated person who admitted that due to social media students’ academic performance affected. This research activity highlights that use of social media is misery of the day which needs immediate solution and measures to prevent the students. The research also includes the forms of social media which are affecting the student academic performance negatively. This research is a combination of authentic literature which has been selected from accurate sources. Such literature indicates the condition of social media in different regions of the world where it has been on peak and affecting the lives of students adversely. The collected data was then analyzed in shape of tabulation which was then explained.","author":[{"family":"Kamal","given":"Tariq"},{"family":"Tariq","given":"Muhammad"},{"family":"Ishtiaq","given":"Muhammad"},{"family":"Nawab","given":"Khalid"},{"family":"Idrees","given":"Muhammad"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2015"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Kamal, Tariq, Ishtiaq, Nawab, & Idrees, 2015).
One of the most harmful impacts of social media is the accelerated rate of suicide caused by it. As per the reports of Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 30,000 suicide cases are noted each year in America ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"kkzQBeGO","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(\\uc0\\u8220{}Social Media and Adolescents\\uc0\\u8217{} and Young Adults\\uc0\\u8217{} Mental Health,\\uc0\\u8221{} 2018)","plainCitation":"(“Social Media and Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Mental Health,” 2018)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":2349,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/RRU4TLPZ"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/RRU4TLPZ"],"itemData":{"id":2349,"type":"post-weblog","title":"Social Media and Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Mental Health","container-title":"National Center for Health Research","abstract":"Most young adults use social media, and experts are asking if this use can harm mental health. Here’s what you need to know.","URL":"http://www.center4research.org/social-media-affects-mental-health/","language":"en-US","issued":{"date-parts":[["2018",8,10]]},"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",4,11]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (“Social Media and Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Mental Health,” 2018). However, blaming the internet and social media for increasing the rate is a contentious debate and studies are aimed at exploring it thoroughly. As per a recent survey, the victims of cyberbullying are critically exposed to nourishing the intentions of committing suicide. There exist certain variables responsible for the increased rate of cyberbullying. Loneliness, embarrassment, mental complications and desecrated self-esteem urge the person to commit suicide. Irrefutably, it is the most adverse impact of social networking sites. However, these instances cannot shun the argument that social media has also offered tremendous incentives to society. A comparison between the advantages and disadvantages of social media underpin the greater number of adverse impacts and thus social media is harmful to society.
The sociological perspective nourishes the principles of social interaction in this context. Sociologists utilize the terminology of cultural diversity which is present in the people who share virtual or physical space ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"TKSXlAvd","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Murthy, 2012)","plainCitation":"(Murthy, 2012)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":2340,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/9UDCXBER"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/9UDCXBER"],"itemData":{"id":2340,"type":"article-journal","title":"Towards a Sociological Understanding of Social Media: Theorizing Twitter","container-title":"Sociology","page":"1059-1073","volume":"46","issue":"6","source":"DOI.org (Crossref)","abstract":"This article presents the first steps towards a sociological understanding of emergent social media. This article uses Twitter, the most popular social media website, as its focus. Recently, the social media site has been prominently associated with social movements in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria. Rather than rush to breathlessly describe its novel role in shaping contemporary social movements, this article takes a step back and considers Twitter in historical and broad sociological terms. This article is not intended to provide empirical evidence or a fully formed theoretical understanding of Twitter, but rather to provide a selected literature review and a set of directions for sociologists. The article makes connections specifically to Erving Goffman’s interactionist work, not only to make the claim that some existing sociological theory can be used to think critically about Twitter, but also to provide some initial thoughts on how such theoretical innovations can be developed.","DOI":"10.1177/0038038511422553","ISSN":"0038-0385, 1469-8684","shortTitle":"Towards a Sociological Understanding of Social Media","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Murthy","given":"Dhiraj"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2012",12]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Murthy, 2012). The advocates of functional theory contemplate the unexpected and expected route adopted by society to sustain the contemporary social order. It postulates that social networking sites are meant to expand communication and interaction. However, it also delineates the adverse repercussions which are significant. None can credibly claim to be using a real profile as the perception of these users is influenced by the common patterns of fabricates profiles. These perceptions contribute to the establishment of disbelief and regret in society. Moreover, the flow of information can be rarely moderated or supervised once unregulated on social networking platforms. All of these instances are an explicit illustration of the harmful impacts of social media on society. The theoretical paradigm of sociological perspective strengthens the need of communicating face to face and without the influence of disruptions or threats of fabrication ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"9Jxbu24T","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(\\uc0\\u8220{}The Effects of Social Media on Children,\\uc0\\u8221{} n.d.)","plainCitation":"(“The Effects of Social Media on Children,” n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":2351,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/KM3G7L9W"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/H8YOvGFC/items/KM3G7L9W"],"itemData":{"id":2351,"type":"webpage","title":"The Effects of Social Media on Children","URL":"https://sites.ewu.edu/cmst496-stafford/2012/06/06/the-effects-of-social-media-on-children/","accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",4,11]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (“The Effects of Social Media on Children,” n.d.). The old school modes of interaction best served the spirits of social communication and rejuvenated the elements of social interaction. However, the advent of social media has revolutionized and radicalized the interactions, relations and communications in true letter and spirits.
Conclusion
Each invention of a human being has contributed toward the welfare of society. There exist, however, certain advancements that have adversely impacted society. Social media is explicit evidence of such advancement which has defined and desecrated the social interaction and communication in communities. The prominent adversities are mental complications, the risk of suicide, alienation from society and victimization in the form of cyberbullying. The instances deliberated above offer empirical evidence and rationale to supplement the fact that social media casts negative impacts on society. The youth and adolescents are the most vulnerable categories being victimized by social networking platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
References
ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL {"uncited":[],"omitted":[],"custom":[]} CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Teens and their experiences on social media | Pew Research Center. (2018, November 28). Retrieved April 11, 2019, from https://www.pewinternet.org/2018/11/28/teens-and-their-experiences-on-social-media/
Institute, R. E. is managing editor at the C. M. (n.d.). How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers. Retrieved April 11, 2019, from Child Mind Institute website: https://childmind.org/article/how-using-social-media-affects-teenagers/
Kamal, T., Tariq, M., Ishtiaq, M., Nawab, K., & Idrees, M. (2015). An Investigation into the Negative Impacts of Social Media on Academic Performance of Youth.
Murthy, D. (2012). Towards a Sociological Understanding of Social Media: Theorizing Twitter. Sociology, 46(6), 1059–1073. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038511422553
N, K. (2015). The Impact of Social Networking Sites on the Youth. Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism, 05(12). https://doi.org/10.4172/2165-7912.1000285
Social Media and Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Mental Health. (2018, August 10). Retrieved April 11, 2019, from National Center for Health Research website: http://www.center4research.org/social-media-affects-mental-health/
The Effects of Social Media on Children. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2019, from https://sites.ewu.edu/cmst496-stafford/2012/06/06/the-effects-of-social-media-on-children/
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