How Social Media Affects Adolescents

Social media has been known to help students develop important knowledge and social skills. “At first glance this may seem like a waste of time; however it also helps students to develop important knowledge and social skills, and be active citizens who create and share content.” (Chen 3). The more time teens spend on social media the more they become aware of their own social side and how to interact with others, especially their peers. “Some types of social media has beneficial effects, like helping adolescents establish some sense of identity and build networking skills” (Riley Davis). Too much time being spent on social media can also exploit teens to some harsh realities that they’ve probably never experienced in their lives before.

Are teens being affected by social media and causing them to have eating disorders? Have you ever looked at something on the media and thought to yourself, I wish I looked like them or I wish I was as perfect as them? Teens are struggling everyday because of the things they see on social media. Teens constantly feel as if they need to compare themselves to the “perfect ones”. Yes, teens are being negatively affected by social media because they want to “fit in”, feel confident and the pressure from the media causes them to come upon some sort of negative affects.

About how many kids currently have cell phones? Some people believe that kids don't need a cell phone. Others think that kids do need a cellphone. The use of cell phones by adolescents poses many challenges and benefits.

The use of social media is becoming a daily task in our society, notably among these teenage girls. It is popping up everywhere. Today, websites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, etc., are all actively used by adolescents. Our generation of kids is absorbed

Recent studies have shown that 23% of teens say that they have been the target of a bully online, and getting bullied can lead up to teen depression. Another 15% said that they were the ones bullying other teens. Most teens sleep with their phones, and most don't go to bed when they’re told to, but some teens do. Because the blue light that comes from the phone is bad for some people's eyes, and most teens are sleep deprived of being on their phones too much at night. Some teens do nothing but go on their phones/social medias, “Kids ages 8 to 12, or teens, are spending about six hours in front of screens.” Yet again a lot of teens are really active and play sports. For those who aren't, most are getting or are obese from not doing anything the whole day, and just being on their phones. Social media can lead up to teen depression, loss of sleep, and it decreases in physical fitness.

With the creation of computers, cell phones and other handheld devices, we have benefited from the information that can be accessed nearly anywhere. Some from as old as teens to young adults have been empowered by the ways to express themselves and interact with one another in the digital realm. Whether it be through social media, video games, or a forum for their favorite comic or character, one can talk about anything on the web. However, the way we interact with technology can also hurt us by distracting us from the real world. Despite its usefulness in today 's society, technology can cause for us to be distracted and form various bad habits.

Everyday there are 400 million Instagram users (Smith), 18.7 billion texts sent (Burke), and over 8 billion phone checks (Eadicicco). Social media has become a prevalent aspect of our day. With this ever-growing force taking up such a large part of our lives, it is no wonder parents ask the question that’s on all of our minds: What impact does technology, and more specifically social media, have on teenage development?

ocial media sites are described as rapidly growing platforms of user-generated content: digital images, videos, and blogs. They encompass a vast majority of contemporary websites and serve as a place to divulge in interesting discussion, reconnect with past friends or family, and even serve as footholds for important parts of one’s life through posted content. Social media sites are sitting on their throne in the fast-paced world of instant communication. However, it is also for this reason of mass communication that bring about the detriments of social media. They can often influence younger minds, specifically teenagers, into partaking in drug abuse through several forms. It is an unfortunate fact that teenagers are exposed to this type of social peer-pressure daily, through a variety of sources such as their favorite music artists. In fact, most modern day “rappers”, consistently post self-glorifying images of themselves smoking marijuana. The social environment of open drug use and advertising on social media sites plays a major component in the recent trends of drug abuse present in teenagers aged 12-17 in the United States through various influences.

The use of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat comes as naturally as breathing to teens nowadays. But for some users, these online networking services are deemed to be so addicting, that it affects their cognitive function during the day, and ability to get an acceptable amount of sleep each night. When a person doesn’t achieve a proper amount of sleep, it substantially alters their health. Lack of sleep can cause fatigue, forgetfulness, weight loss or gain, serious health problems, and cognitive function (“10 Things” 1). As a result, social media affects it’s users in more ways than they may realize. While one may be going about their day, they may be unable to communicate and function as well as they would like. This can cause interference with schooling, socializing, and the capability to work efficiently. An addictive amount of social media use can ultimately lead to severe health issues that go beyond mental health. Heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and diabetes are all common health problems that chronic sleep loss can lead to (“10 Things” 1). If users formed a habit of putting down their technology devices and began to communicate with people face-to-face, these chronic and mental health problems can be avoided. Communicating in person has become such a rarity today unless a job or college class forces people to. And in some cases, people are even encouraged to communicate online. This comes with a price, because when the mass of people are

It isn’t a bad thing sharing a couple of pictures of our favorite moments, or those selfies that make us popular with friends; the ones that help us gain followers. Or using it for the right reason of communicating with family all over the world and meeting new friends abroad. But don’t you think that users such as teenagers in specific take advantage of what social media is actually for. At times parents are confused because they think that their child is using Facebook for the connection of their loved ones, or even group chats that are meant for positive feedback. Realistically we all know that isn’t the case. Because deep inside your child’s room you can find messages that were meant for sharing of their personal self. In this case sexting. Another ruining is the destruction of family relationships, where physically your child may be present, but mentally are not. And what about your teenage daughter that is old enough to maneuver herself when driving, so you think. Do you think she is focused on the road, or on that bright blue screen that teenagers like to call, “my baby”. At times we may feel that social media might be the right thing for us. Or that it might affect us in more positive ways rather than in negative ways, but although technology may be the best source for connecting distinct cultures and societies in ways that seemed impossible before, technology also fails miserably to an extent where messages that were meant for positive feedback have turned into

In the article there are many staggering facts about how often social media sites are used and what adolescents are using them for. The article estimates that 11-18-year olds spend up to 11 hours a day on the social media sites and exposed to media via electronics. It is estimated that approximately 73% of adolescents are on social networking sites whether they meet the age restriction or not. The young people’s parents are following the footsteps of them by starting to use the sits they see the adolescents on after the adolescents have started using it, this is a parallel to what was expected since these sites were originally adult oriented and created for an older audience. A majority of young people will wake up and check their social media profiles as well as check them again before going to bed at night.

The internet has revolutionized the way of communicating. Social media has transformed the way of expressing ideas, sharing feelings, and relating to people. While young people are more connected online than ever, they were never more socially disconnected with each other. Because of the emotionless nature of the Net young people shut down and are left dumbfounded when confronted with real-life events in the classroom and over social activities. As a result, teenagers long for real-life interactions and meaningful life experiences without knowing where to begin.

Today teens spend more time on their phones than doing anything else. “Teenagers on average spend eight hours or more on their devices” (Ashely M). Teens carry their smartphones everywhere. It has become somewhat of an obsession which is causing isolation amongst the youth. Because of this new founded isolation teens are unable to hold functional face to face conversations with others. With social media being one of the fastest growing form of communication teens no longer need face to face interactions to meet people. Although teens can communicate with people all over the world, when it comes to meeting people in person it becomes difficult. Shelby Snider author of “The Effect of Social Networking on Teenager Communication has found that “teens are losing their ability to read nonverbal cues from other people” (Snider). This inability to detect social cues causes a lack of positive communication skills in teens. Basic communication starts by being able to read facial expressions, understanding emotions and body language. If unable to understand these social cues teens might not be able to respond appropriately in a social setting, which can cause them to feel lonely and out of place. Not to mention “Those who disliked personal communication were more likely to use socially interactive technologies.” (Nielsen). Teens who are shy or antisocial rather hide behind the wall of the internet than speak out in public. Today’s youth is so using to being known as a screen name they have become accustomed to life on social media. It has become easier to pick up a smart phone and send a message, instead of going out to meet someone. Because of this, teenagers live in a bubble where it is just them their phones and their bedroom.

Social media contribute enormously an extremely significant role in the lives of youths. In addition, youths can either real risks or opportunities from social media. The risks are not rooted in technology but issues regarding the youths’ social and personal development. It is imperative that youths are guided so that they develop appropriate skills as well as the resilience required to navigate social media opportunities and risks. Peer groups should be given the opportunity to develop and negotiate shared comprehension of reasonable and safe online behavior patterns.

     In today’s generation teenagers use the internet and social media so often that it has become a normal part of their lives along with a necessity. But why does the majority of people think negatively about this? Maybe because many media outlets tend to make the focal points on the negatives that they bring but don’t see the substantial remarkable benefits they have.  But what exactly defines the internet and social media? They are viewed as global computer networks that contain sources of useful information and as a tool and aid for a variety of options. Both the internet and social media ease all fields such as communication.  Social media and the internet gives teenagers a chance to empower themselves in many ways because they provide an extensity of benefits and opportunities.