The Effect of Social Media on Society Essay Sample

What effect does social media have on society? Social media has had a positive and negative impact on today's society. A few of the positive effects on teens are Teens can use social media to create online identities, interact with others, and create social networks. These networks can be beneficial to the youth, especially those who are socially excluded, have impairments, or suffer from chronic illnesses. Teenagers also used social media for enjoyment and self-expression. Furthermore, the platforms can educate teens on a range of topics, including healthy behaviors, by exposing them to current events, allowing them to interact across geographic barriers. Humorous or distracting social media, as well as social media that gives a genuine connection to peers and a large social network, may even help kids avoid depression. “A 2019 study of over 6,500 12- to 15-year-olds in the U.S. found that those who spent over three hours a day using social media might be at heightened risk for mental health problems” (MFMER). However, the negative impact on teens far outweighs the benefits they enjoy because the ramification of persistent use of social media results in eating disorders, social media addiction, depression, and a lack of privacy.   

Teenagers are glued to their phones and social media from the moment they turn off their alarm clock until the last thing at night, which is often long after they turned the lights off. Scrolling, liking, swiping, sharing, commenting, and messaging have all become part of their daily routine.

Social media can cause teenagers to develop eating disorders. Using unrealistically thin women and photoshopped models in magazines has been a long-standing issue for young women. It has long been assumed that the media's influence on body image stems from unrealistic expectations and disordered eating. For researchers, social media platforms and networking sites are becoming increasingly important sources of media exposure. “Recent research estimates that close to 90 percent of all 18- to 29-year-olds participate in some social networking site, with Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram the most common” (ABC-Clio). When compared to mass media, the various platforms and apps that users can use to interact with one another may contribute to higher rates of body dissatisfaction and image internalization (ABC-Clio). Being on social media can lead to an incorrect impression of a person's personality and physical appearance. This could also affect their educational level and moral integrity. Even if one is aware that some photos shared on social media are edited, they can still make them feel insecure about their appearance. It is not just about the things that people share, it is about how they feel about themselves. They exposed teenagers to images of perfect women who are frequently photoshopped to fit unrealistic beauty standards. As a result, many teenagers develop body image issues, which can lead to eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. 

Another important impact on teens' overuse of social media is an addiction to it. Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a social media emotion that can lower our self-esteem and make us feel undervalued. FOMO can also compel people to check their phones every few minutes to keep up with their social media updates. The more we use social media, the less appreciative we become of the present moment. However, if it constantly updated one with endless online updates, one can prioritize social interactions that are not emotionally beneficial and can make us feel even more isolated. "A study last year of a national sample of young adults (age 19-32) showed a correlation between the time spent on social media and perceived social isolation (PSI)" (Child Mind Institute).

Social media also interferes with doing homework and other tasks that require concentration. Teenagers are increasingly using social media to communicate with friends while studying. They are proud of their ability to multitask; However, studies show that it impairs learning and performance. Some effects of social media use on mood are indirect. For instance, teenagers who use their phones in the last hour of their sleep are more prone to experiencing depression than those who do not. Teenagers become sleep deprived because of their addiction to social media. Blue light from screens can interfere with sleeping. It can also contribute to insomnia by making it more difficult to fall asleep.” According to a 2010 large-scale study published in The Journal of Adolescent Health, a scant 8 percent of U.S. high school students get the recommended amount of sleep. Some 23 percent get six hours of sleep on an average school night.10 percent get only five hours” (Child Mind Institute).

Studies have shown that it negatively affected teenagers and young adults who use social media most often with depression issues in that they have higher rates of depression than those who do not use social media heavily. When people compare their lives to what are the highlights of their friends' and influencers' lives on Instagram and Snapchat, it can depress for some. Social media can also make a person depressed because one often uses filters and sees an unrealistic version of themselves. Tik-Tok and Instagram create an image in society's minds that one must look a certain way to be accepted not only by society, but by oneself. “A 2019 study of over 6,500 12- to 15-year-olds in the U.S. found that those who spent over three hours a day using social media might be at heightened risk for mental health problems” ((MFMER).

Privacy issues also develop with teens with overexposure to social media. Teenagers who post content on social media are at risk of sharing explicit photos or highly personal stories because of their impulsive nature. As an outcome, teenagers may be bullied, harassed, or even blackmailed. Teens frequently make posts without thinking about the consequences or privacy concerns. Older individual can also manipulate young children on social media. These individuals often disguise themself as young ones to receive personal information about their lives. It also exposed children to inappropriate content, which can affect their childhood development.   

To conclude, social media can cause a host of problems for young people. If parents were aware of all the repercussions of exposure to social media, perhaps they would scrutinize what their youngsters are doing with social med.