From the left:
Social media is an influential factor in our everyday lives. However, according to psychologists Ágnes Zsila and Marc Eric Reyes, excessive use has increased loneliness, fear of missing out, and decreased subjective well-being.
Zsila and Reyes believe that social media can be dangerous when consumed too often and for too many hours in a day. The two studied the patterns of human behavior that partners with utilizing social media.
Social media fails to be a realistic insight into everyone’s lives. In turn, there are consequences to an individual’s well-being when comparing their lives to what is seen online—considering theirs as uninteresting or lonely. The constant desire to resemble the glimpse of someone else that is displayed on social media platforms adds to the feeling of not being satisfied with what you have.
Journalist, Yuval Levin, suggests evidence that social media exposure poses serious harm. TikTok, which is very popular with tweens and teens, has — alongside other social media platforms — been linked to body image issues as well, and to problems ranging from muscle dysmorphia to a Tourette-like syndrome, sexual exploitation and assorted deadly stunts. The platforms’ mediation of young people’s social lives also frequently amplifies and exacerbates more traditional issues like bullying, harassment, and conspiracism.
Ultimately, it is dangerous to expose detrimental ideas that affect the developing minds of children.
Levin utilizesTikTok as an ample example of this fact. The application— directed towards Gen Z audiences—often introduces sexual content to young minds that can not fully understand what it it is they are viewing.
Additionally, the ongoing problem of bullying has only increased. Now, one can hide behind their device and type hurtful comments without ever having to be confronted or see the humane reaction that stems from it. This harassment can change a person’s life and the bully could never know what they did.
Doctor Christopher Haley regards that often people look to social media in order to replace in-person interactions, however, lose critical social skills as a result.
“There are many nonverbal forms of communication that take place in a face-to-face conversation, and these can actually be an important part of the interaction,” Haley said.
Haley explains the effects that social media can have. When people are in a real life conversation, there are different aspects of communication that go along. Physical tone, face expression and body language contribute almost as much to the conversation as words do. When discussion is made on social media, these factors get lost and information can get twisted.
If users begin to rely on social media as a main form of communication, they lose personable aspects that come with human interaction. Ultimately, setting individuals up for failure in jobs and relationships that require head to head conversations comfortably.
From the right:
Editors, Lawrence Robinson and Melinda Smith, argue that social media allows for global communication with family and friends, helps find new communities with shared interests, and supports raising awareness for important causes.
Robinson and Smith discuss the positive social opportunities that arise with social media. Prior to the innovation of the internet, there was way less ability to stay engaged with friends or family from afar. Now, loved ones can stay together and up to date in each other’s life with the use of social media.
Additionally, many are able to find people who share similar interests in ideas, activities and issues as them. This offers discussion and education on topics passionately shared amongst a niche group of people on social media. Robinson and Smith also bring light on the fact that campaigns and fundraisers can be produced and promoted through social platforms which can spread knowledge or help more efficiently.
Journalist, Lilly Talavera, furthers this regard as social media has created a new category of high demand jobs where many work full-time on social media.
Talavera notes the many new job opportunities that have come with this digital rise. Today, marketing has a new level of business which greatly expands the job market. There are social media influencers who make more money than anyone who works a 9-5 and are given flexible working conditions. Furthermore, free PR gifts are promoted and shared by influencers worldwide — benefiting companies and influencers both.
For many young adults, working in social media is a desirable as it offers flexible work schedules, work from home options, business travel, and other benefits. If one is just starting out in their job, this is a good route to go because social media is not going away anytime soon.
Moreover, social media can have a number of positive impacts on relationships. One advantage of social media in dating is that it can help you connect with people who you might not otherwise meet in your day-to-day life.”
There are plenty of dating apps these days such as Bumble, Tinder, Hinge and more that allow a new horizon of potential relationships. Someone who is more introverted and doesn’t have a big social circle may greatly benefit from these apps because they can expand their pool of possibilities. Moreover, being able to connect through social media before meeting in person allows many to get to know their dates prior.
Considering the spectrum of perspectives, here are some tips on how to craft positive and healthy social media habits:
- Ignore notifications: go on Do Not Disturb
- Take breaks: be active
- Follow people and accounts you enjoy: celebrities, food accounts, puppy pages, clothing brands etc.
- Use social media wisely: set in app timers to make sure you don’t find yourself mindlessly scrolling
- Connect responsibly to social media: always remember digital footprints
- Engage rather than compare: be inspired or entertained by content rather than jealous—no ones life is really how it looks on social media
- Focus on your real friends: unfollow people that give you negative thoughts
- Limit your social media platforms: try only having 2 apps downloaded at a time so you don’t bounce from app to app mindlessly
To conclude, social media and its effects on society is a very controversial topic for the modern world. There is no perfect way to have media accounts because everyone is different with varying intentions.
The tips above were found with some research— but mostly through personal experience. From time to time I get lost in the warp of scrolling and have to remind myself of those tips. I hope you learned ways to shift your mindset so that social media is only on the right spectrum for you.
