Social media was created to help people maintain connections, network, and obtain information. Recently, almost everybody has at least one account on a social networking website. Even people that have little desire to see the thoughts and opinions of hundreds of “friends” find themselves creating accounts. This is because nobody wants to be left behind in our fast-paced, advancing world of technology. If people’s friends and peers have a social media account, they are bound to create one as well. Supporters of social media claim that it improves the social connections of people. “People communicate and maneuver in these networks rather than being bound up in one solitary community” (Boase). Social media allows you to interact with your community no matter where you are or who you are with. According to social media supporters, connecting with your community via the internet makes you less lonely. In actuality, social media has isolated people. Studies have shown that outgoing people become lonely and depressed due to social media use (Staples.) Frequently, new relationships are sparked because of networking and mutual friends through social media. Unfortunately, these relationships are often low quality. Virtual communication is much less sincere than face-to-face interaction. Engaging with strangers over the internet can be unsafe and leave users with a lack of social skills. Social media can be a great tool if used correctly, but more often than not, people misuse and abuse it. Not only is social media often abused and misused, but it has a gained a blind following. Many social media users today cannot prove why social media is helpful or beneficial. Instead,those who support social media want an explanation as to why social media is bad, shifting the burden of proof to the opposers of the incessant use of social media. The negative effects of social media outweigh the positive.
In conclusion, social media is, and will continue to be, harmful, unless something is done about it. The power it has over people is dangerous and often goes unnoticed. People should care because if not addressed, or taken care, of social media could cause national and international problems. Social media stunts interpersonal growth and increases narcissism in many internet users. Even if the user is not psychologically affected by social media, they are still in danger. Nobody is immune to the harmful side effects social media including identity theft, stalkers, or hackers. Social networking allows hoaxes and false information to cause widespread chaos. “The dark side of social media is that, within seconds, anything can be blown out of proportion and taken out of context. And it is very difficult not to get swept up in it all” (Formichetti.) If there are no regulations or limitations on social media, the repercussions will accumulate. People need to change the destructive patterns of social media use before it destroys society. The fast, easy access to information that is supposed to be beneficial to society is actually detrimental to society.
In conclusion, social media is, and will continue to be, harmful, unless something is done about it. The power it has over people is dangerous and often goes unnoticed. People should care because if not addressed, or taken care, of social media could cause national and international problems. Social media stunts interpersonal growth and increases narcissism in many internet users. Even if the user is not psychologically affected by social media, they are still in danger. Nobody is immune to the harmful side effects social media including identity theft, stalkers, or hackers. Social networking allows hoaxes and false information to cause widespread chaos. “The dark side of social media is that, within seconds, anything can be blown out of proportion and taken out of context. And it is very difficult not to get swept up in it all” (Formichetti.) If there are no regulations or limitations on social media, the repercussions will accumulate. People need to change the destructive patterns of social media use before it destroys society. The fast, easy access to information that is supposed to be beneficial to society is actually detrimental to society.
