Social Media Issues In America

Social Media Issues in America

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Social media has been under the magnifying glass of researchers ever since Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media tools have entertained young people and adults around the world. Researchers have mapped both the benefits and the adverse effects of social media tools. Today, there is also an increasing focus on how social media mainly affects the developing brains of young people and the mental health of teens. Today's young people are the first generation in human history who can hardly even imagine life without the Internet, smartphones and social media. Mobile devices have become a kind of hand extension that nowadays allow you to do work, enjoy entertainment and communicate with friends and acquaintances. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Of course, it depends a bit on where you look towards. Social media have positive adverse effects on our lives.

On the other hand, the online world, including social media, creates a wealth of new opportunities that we did not even dream about twenty years ago. When used correctly, social media can even have a positive impact on young people's development. However, some believe that the excessive use of social media can also have many adverse effects. For example, excessive use can negatively affect a young person's growth performance. A study of the University of California found that the excessive use of social media may change the way young people spend their daytime activities or communicate with one another. A total of 32 young participants aged 13-18 were selected for the study. Magnetic resonance imaging studies track how young people's minds react, for example, when their pictures or posts on social media get a lot of likes or comments. Participants were shown 148 images added to social media, 40 of which were self-contributed. Research shows that when teens see a lot of likes and comments on their pictures or posts, the nucleus accumbent part of their brain is activated in a casino game. In other words, seeing likes in your own image or update brings the same feelings in mind as, for example, when a player wins while playing slot machines (Anderson, Monica, and Jingjing Jiang45). So it's a very addictive feeling.

Among the good things about social media are that teenagers struggling with themselves and their concerns can find support and advice on a variety of issues. An anonymous atmosphere allows a young person to get the help and information they need without fear of being labelled anything as a result. Youth brings with it many issues and concerns related to growing up and relationships that young people often do not like to discuss with friends or family members. This is where social media provides an excellent platform for finding solutions (Vogel, Erin A., et al250).

The widespread use of social sites such as "Facebook" can lead to slander and quickly spread to all users of the social site. For example, our country has been hit by divorce news that happened on a Facebook account. This has been criticized by the majority of Americans who say that such an act is shameful to us because it has tarnished our personal reputation as a Muslim. Additionally, such implications have left some users of the app irresponsible and sparked controversy in the cyber world, leading to embarrassment. The use of social sites will erode the spirit of brotherhood while undermining the country's sovereignty as a respected and integrated nation (Rook 45).

Researchers at Sheffield University have shown in a long-term study that the use of social media can negatively affect all areas of youth's life. So, if you use Facebook a lot then Instagram, WhatsApp and Co., would be automatically unhappy. The scientists asked children about their overall satisfaction. The results: Children who had access to the Internet were not as happy with their lives as children who grew up ultimately without the Internet. Almost 4,000 children and adolescents aged 10 to 15 years were interviewed. But this dissatisfaction does not have to be. Media-literate parents can educate their children and inform them that the image of the media is often faked. It is their job to teach children that they cannot believe everything they see in the media. Most people want to be as positive as possible - but we should encourage our children to be as authentic as possible. Without a filter, without finishing, without photo studio (Berger, Jonah, Alan, and Scott 815).

While social media has made communication more comfortable than ever, there has been no development without some sorrow. Every rose has a spike, and social media is no exception. However, social media has become an absolutely central and indispensable part of our lives, so with these problems, one has to be able to live rationally and with awareness. As people began to wake up to social media issues, there was widespread panic among parents, and many abandoned their social media accounts.

However, avoiding social media is not the solution to its problems, but its benefits outweigh its potential disadvantages. Instead, it is essential to know how social media works in a broader context and also to understand the possible consequences of using social media. Many people do not neglect the dark sides of social media as they are well aware that without it, modern society cannot live. Ignorance avoids the pain, but knowledge would still be an asset here. Instead of letting go of social media in the face of general panic, consider the following issues and review yourself on how to avoid the biggest stumbling blocks.

Some social media issues include:

Applying for approval

Applying for approval is not new in itself. People around the world have sought permission, and no wonder we have always needed the protection of a herd and support is required to develop a healthy self-image. However, social media has taken this human need to the next level. Much of the social media usage has changed, however, to the fact that one's behavior is determined by the expected level of approval. In this case, the 'own identity' of social media is no longer one of its own, but a 'some identity' seeking approval, which can overshadow its own making and well-being, as it has never been easier to compare the amount of support.

Comparison

Nowadays, it is effortless to see how much approval others have received, which can lower one's well-being, but the comparison is not over. Through social media, we also follow more closely what others are doing. By looking at the best and polished aspects of other lives, we forget the honest assessment of our own lives. Instead of really connecting with social media, it can often become just a platform for comparing ourselves to one another. In this competition of comparison, reality can easily be distorted.

Focusing on the wrong things

Instead of focusing on important things, such as what's going on in their friends' lives and maintaining their own friendships, many in the social media are deliriously staring at the wrong things. By these wrong things, we mean the likes and followers, rather than focusing on being really social. Be careful that belonging to your friends and family does not become secondary to hoarding likes.

Difficulty concentrating

Social media is full of short articles, clips and GIFs. Where the Internet is whole of thoughtful and educational material, it is often harder to focus on it nowadays when all information is provided in lists and in an easily chewable format. Pointless.

Empty friendships

Social media has made it easier for people to stay in touch with friends and family from a long distance. But it has also made it possible for one to keep more of one's good-day acquaintances available. Nowadays, few people can just call and chat, just check their profiles and maintain a good relationship with friends without the right communication. Sure, buddy profiles can help you start a conversation, but it's good to be aware of how you handle these situations.

A waste of time

Many studies have shown that people get lost on social media during their working day or while studying at the library. This way, a person may accidentally be distracted from his or her activities for hours and thus lose time almost by mistake. It can be used in free time or during a travelling to consume time for studies.

Isolation

Many times it seems that social media meets all the needs of sociality. An hour goes by to talk to both your Australian cousin, share your news with dozens, and chat with old schoolmates you haven't met for years. Go out to dinner with friends. In this way, social media can sometimes combine, but in the worst case, it can also isolate. So be aware that social media brings the world to you and does not take you away from it.

In conclusion, once social media becomes part of our daily lives, nothing will ever be the same again. Childhood and youth are no longer the same. However, the most important thing is to focus on developing positive aspects of social media, such as the opportunities it provides for interpersonal, personal, and mental health promotion.

Works cited

Anderson, Monica, and Jingjing Jiang. "Teens, social media & technology 2018." Pew Research

Center 31 (2018): 2018.45

Berger, Jonah, Alan T. Sorensen, and Scott J. Rasmussen. "Positive effects of negative publicity:

When negative reviews increase sales." Marketing Science 29.5 (2010): 815-827.

Park, Namsu, Kerk F. Kee, and Sebastián Valenzuela. "Being immersed in social networking

environment: Facebook groups, uses and gratifications, and social outcomes." CyberPsychology & Behavior 12.6 (2009): 729-733.

Rook, Karen S. "Social networks in later life: Weighing positive and negative effects on health

and well-being." Current directions in psychological science 24.1 (2015): 45-51.

Vogel, Erin A., et al. "Who compares and despairs? The effect of social comparison orientation

on social media use and its outcomes." Personality and Individual Differences 86 (2015): 249-256.