The impact and effect of social media

Social Media and whether it has more negative effects than good has been debated since the dawn of time it seems, however, these platforms have a right to be questioned whether they’re good for the human race or not.

Many people have seen the things that occur because of social media and the harmfulness it can persuade. However, while there is a bad side to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc. there is a good side. I’ve made more friends online than I have in real life which I guess is quite sad to admit but it’s true. I don’t think I would have ever been put in a group chat pertaining to my interests if I didn’t comment under a TikTok post about how I like the same celebrity. It’s also a great advantage that I am able to talk to my grandparents whenever I want because of my cellphone. I can stay in touch with friends who live in other states or countries such as an Italian foreign exchange student that was previously at our school Oak Hill.

Social media greatly influences people and the world. Humans are reliant on technology for almost everything, including social media too. The internet has impacted the world and people’s lives such as advertisements pertaining to people’s interests, and memes that people can laugh too. Social, ethical, environmental, and political things would have minimal visibility.

Nevertheless, with all these positive experiences I have pertaining to social media, I’ve also had really bad ones. Many young girls my age or younger will see beauty standards that are 9/10 as very unattainable and with that comes self-doubt and shame at a young age that doesn’t need to be present. Which can thus lead to poor mental health “Multiple studies have shown an association between poor mental health and social media. It can start as innocently as trying to reconnect with family or keeping up with current times. Then, like the brain of a smoker telling them it’s time for their nicotine, our brains can remind us that it is time to check what others are doing right now.” (Vedula, Priya. Social Media: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Loma, Linda University Health, 2018).

Social media is also a place that can harbor bullying, social isolation, false narratives, misinformation, inappropriate material for young children, and more. We as a human society are still navigating social media and the internet as a whole so it’s important to learn how to use it well for mental and emotional well-being.

“Phone” by jacqui.brown33 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.