Essay On Effects Of Social Media

Heads down, eyes stare at a cell phone screen, and fingers type furiously. Cell phone screens read Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, KIK, Pinterest, Tumblr…the list is endless and dominating the lives of teenagers. Regardless of the time or setting, the description above is a common sight. Social media has become an integrated part of society and the advances in technology directly affect many lives. Specifically, what effects does social media have on teenagers ages 13 to 18?

To begin with, a person must examine the emotional effects of social media that arise from the psychological effects of social media According to ASAPscience, brain scans revealed those with psychological addiction to social media have similar brain impaired regions as those with drug dependence. These

This is not surprising as human nature is prone to seek one’s glory and praise; studies have shown when social media users speak of personal views rather than listening to the views of others, the brain releases dopamine, “the feel good chemical”. A secondary effect is “Facebook Depression”, the development of jealously and envy after viewing the posts of family and friends. The social media user will begin to believe their life is monotonous and insignificant, while failing to recognize that people will only post the glamorous side of life. Other physiological effects include “Phantom Vibration Syndrome”, the brain will mistakenly detect phone vibrations when in reality the phone has not vibrated. In a study conducted by Dr. Michelle Drouin, a professor at Indiana University-Purdue University, 89 percent of the test subjects experienced these phantom vibrations at least once every two weeks. Social media has effected brain development to a point in which an itch will be associated with a phone