There is More than Meets the Eye of Social Media

The use of social media associated with teens has sharply increased over the last decade. It has a duality aspect that creates debate for and against it. You can connect with people easier but the negatives can be severe emotional damage. You can use social media for a lot of resources and positive things. Unfortunately it also used to bully and serve as an addiction for teens. I believe that the long term effects of social media and it’s side effects outweigh the convenience of its resources so we should be more aware of the consequences.

Firstly let’s look at the pros of using social media. Staying connected with family and friends is more effective than just a simple phone call. Research is easier and quicker to get to. Learning almost anything is also easier and quicker. You can use it for school or working from home. More small businesses can market through advertisements which is always good. Finally it is a good source of social engagement whether it’s using fundraisers or simple media. This all sounds great, which it is for us, but we also carry along a burden with these great resources.

The biggest problem with social media is the potential dangers it presents to teenagers. It’s more a conflict of how some people turn these positive resources into different problems. This argument is very complicated and you have to give some and take some from both sides. Social media can be negative for many reasons. For example, it can cause over-usage and high screen times. With this it is very addicting. It can create societal problems with teens and create problems with feeling accepted and fitting in. Most importantly note that it can be a way for teens to cyberbully each other which can unfortunetly lead to depression and even suicide.

The statistics of bullying is what really makes this argument real and a common issue nowadays. There are many shocking facts that must be presented. According to http://www.stopbullying.org/ about 85 percent of all bullying scenarios are left unaddressed. One out of four teenagers are being bullied, about 43 percent being online. This is concerning for their mental health. According to the American Association of Suicidology suicide rates between 10 to 14 year olds have increased by more than 50 percent over the last three decades. This is due to the increase of social media usage and how teens interact with each other.

What should be taken away is this: social media is a great resource and we need it in our lives considering that most people have already adapted but we must also be mindful of the other statistics. The ones where kids are being bullied more often and also committing suicide more often. Also the include the fact that teens screen times are increased and their social medias can at some times be harsh on each other. The social media argument has no clear winner but what you can do is prevent as many cases of bullying and limit your screen time. Be mindful of the consequences and as you get older use the helpful resources along the way.

“Handcuff and Locked With Smart Phone” by Jangra Works is licensed under CC BY 2.0