Positive Impact of Social Media on Young Teens Essay Example

Have you ever had your parents yell, “You're spending too much time on social media!” Many adults argue that “Social media is corrupting teen’s lives,” and see phones as a disastrous device. In contrast, many teens agree how social media has positively impacted their daily lives. As you can see, there are both sides of the argument and come from very different peer perspectives. Is social media activity in teens actually beneficial or as “mind-degrading” adults put it?  While some may see the downside of the internet, social media vastly improves young teens’ lives. 

To begin with, social media helps teens create and strengthen relationships.  According to Pew Research Center’s article, “Teens’ Social Media Habits and Experiences”, “81% of teens ages 13-17 say that social media makes them feel more connected to the people in their life, while 68% say using it makes them feel supported during tough times.” (Anderson) On social media, you don’t have to worry about having awkward moments or uncomfortable interactions when talking to people face to face. Talking to friends online can break social barriers and help get more comfortable with existing friendships. Not only it benefits pre-existing relationships, social media being accessible to be able talk to anyone at any time, anywhere allows teens to connect with people far away. Since there is no limit to internet connections, people don’t have to feel the need to always fit in  with people around their lives. People can explore and find a group of people that you feel comfortable with. 

The usage of social media brings awareness to teens to current worldwide issues. Based on the article, “Five ways social media can be good for teens” it states that, “Twitter, Facebook and other large social networks expose kids to important issues and people from all over the world.” (Knorr) It is crucial to have the “right knowledge at the right time.” Understanding of multiple news media helps teens develop their minds to critical situations such as problem-solving, collaboration, and resilience. Exposure to news at a young age helps them experience and practice those skills, which will be valuable for them in the future. A well-informed teen will be able to contribute and connect with the rest of the world. Such as making educated decisions on politics, economy, etc. Each and one of us will be crucial decision makers for our own future.

Others may argue that social media creates an addiction to phones. However, the article, “5 Positives of Social Media: Why Social Media Is Good for Us” expressed that “All good things need to be managed, lest they become harmful to us.” Addiction is produced by excess use of social media. If people can well-manage their use such as limiting their time or certain apps, social media can have a positive effect on teens’ lives. Managing the use of social media also helps teens to develop a sense of time-management. In the future, there will be many tempting things in the world that might distract you from doing your job. Practicing this while you are a teen can create good habits in the future. 

Despite the fact that excessive usage of social media can be harmful, it has a positive impact on the lives of young teens. Social media assists teens to create new friendships, build up pre-existing relationships, and be informed about current world events. Social media contributes to the future of teens whether it might be learning how to manage their time, communicate with their peers, and making well-educated decisions. Teenagers hold the keys to the future, and social media gives them the skills they need to succeed.