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The perils of social media
Perils associated with social media
The bad side of social media
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Twitter and Facebook are only two of the online connections people use today to stay in contact with friends and family. The internet is the place to interact with new people and a way to expose yourself to strangers. The partial anonymity available online can be used as a mask for sexual offenders and psychos; they can appear to be ordinary normal people, and you have no way of really knowing what is the the truth and what is the lie. Too much personal information is at risk on these social networking sites. You can't really build a relationship with an online friend because on the internet you can become whoever you want to be.
Many people tend to agree that the socializing network can be both harmful or helpful. Many like the respect they receive from their online “pals.” It builds some peoples' self-esteem and confidence. Rather then speaking verbally with a person, you could easily message them. Some People like to build fake relationships rather than real ones because real relationships are difficult for those who “lack communication skills.” The internet gives them a place...
Furthermore, it is thought that social media lets humans connect with others and have more friends than those in the real world. However, this is not always true. People worry about their online worlds and whether people will like them. Online, people are more judgemental than real world friends, which can lead to a low self-esteem. The article “YES: Connecting Virtually Isn’t Like Real-World Bonding” by Larry Rosen states that “...our constant need to check comes from anxiety…” Obviously, technology has a negative effect on people as far as lower self-esteem and
2. Previous Research: There is a debate as to whether Internet use has a positive or negative impact in our social lives. One study found that for 40% of the college students in their sample, the Internet had been instrumental in the formation of new friendships. Moreover, 7% of their sample had used the Internet to find a romantic partner. The participants in the study claimed that one of the main benefits of communicating through the Internet was reduced social anxiety and shyness (Knox, 2001). In another study, there was evidence that lonely individuals were more likely to use email and the Internet in order to stay connected with others—in theory, giving them a healthier social life—however, evidence showed that heavy use had a negative social impact (Morahan-Martin, 2003). Finally, another study found that individuals comfortable or regularly involved in social gatherings reported more positive effects from Internet use than shy individuals less involved in their community (Kraut, 2002).
In this current time and generation, people consider communication to be social media, and contacting platforms. Online we can make many friends, and there is no limit nor restriction to who we know. However to be a friend online, you are not required to tell the truth about whoe you are, or what your intentions may be. There is a lack a of cyber defense, and you communicate at your own risk leaving you potentially in danger. For these reasons online friends cannot be real friends.
In her article “Friends Indeed?” Joel Garreau explains that for two decades, online social networks have been touted as one of the finest flowerings of our new era. But what is the strength of ties so weak as to barely exist? Who will lend you lunch money? Who’s got your back?” Technology has overtaken individuals by social media, allowing many people to communicate online rather than having face-to-face communication. Many “relationships” begin online, and end online. Although, true relationships are rarely created fast, it gradually grows and becomes stronger and stronger over the years. However, in our immediate society this is not the case. But the questions still remains, as Joel Garreau points out “Who would lend you lunch money?” in other words, who will help you physically not online. In our impatient society, technologies influenced the way individual communicate, and that often times leads to depression, loneliness and addictions.
Various electronics are frequently used to go on pointless websites, such as Twitter and Facebook, which ruin society’s social abilities. More and more people use social media on the internet as a communication source. This does not apply merely to kids and teens, but adults as well. Using these sorts of websites as a way of communicating causes many individuals’ social skills to decrease. A plethora of children and teens would rather stay inside and interact with their friends through the internet than go hang out with them. Before technology people were not afraid to go up to a random person and talk to them. Now many friendships form through the internet and these friendships are not genuine. When these “friends” meet in person, they find nothing to talk about. For example, I remember after watching Perks of being a Wallflower, a movie taking place in the early nineties, my friends and I discussed how all the characters communicated in person and during hanging out they played games and talked. Now...
Communicating online too much could hinder our ability to socialize effectively in the real life and interpersonal relationship. People in today’s generation love to communicate on the Internet. Due to the incredible convenience the Internet provides, people became socially dependent on it, therefore their time became preoccupied in front of the computer. Kids who grew up during the computer age show that they lack social skills. They would also feel uncomfortable and awkward when talking to people face to face. This is because they mostly isolate themselves in front of the computer chatting and meeting with people online. Due to lack of knowing other persons’ body cues, facial expression, miscommunication can occur. They are often unaware of the other member’s main idea and simply misinterpreting them.
...ile Steven Pinker believes that social networking is improving society and Sherry Turkle finds it to be harmful to individuals, the real answer lies in-between the two positions. “It is a well-known fact that the web is a valuable asset for research and learning,” stated Sue Scheff in her article “Social Networking Sites Can Limit Interpersonal Skills and Physical Activity,” “…[but] it can also be a very dangerous place” (1). While the Internet is beneficial in gaining knowledge and connecting with others, it will always come with downsides as well because it can become addictive and an easy source for predators and bullies to prey on those who are vulnerable. Ultimately, “it is in our collective interest to ensure that the Internet lives up to its potential as a revolutionary connective medium” (Pariser 11) while being aware of the risks and practicing self-control.
There are many positive sides to forming relationships via the internet. Online communities may offer a safe environment for the user to feel welcome and among peers due to commonalities between themselves. Using the internet to form relationships may benefit the user by providing mental stimulation, an increase in self esteem due to receiving praise from others, and by comparing oneself to others (Zywica & Danowski, 2008, p.8).
environment where increased critical thinking and collaboration are possible. A study done by Annetta and Jackson shows that students who participate in social media as part of a class feel more connected to their peers that those students who do not participate in social media type education (Annetta, Jackson, 2011). Social media allows students to not only group themselves with peers who are similar, but also to enhance and link existing peer groups. In addition to enhancing established peer groups, social media can bridge the diversity that exists in classrooms by establishing a “neutral zone” in which students can interact with one another. For many
Walther et al.’s (2001) ‘Hyper personal’ theory for example, explains that the problems associated with an absence of social cues and social presence online can be easily overcome. The Hyperpersonal theory suggests that the message sender has a greater ability to strategically develop and edit self-presentation. The ability for people to present themselves appropriately can thereby lead to more intimate and close relationships. However, in turn, it can also lead to idealisation which is unhealthy because if people stray too far into the fantasy side of the online world then it could lead to relationships that do not live up to expectations in the offline world. Whitty (2003) argues however that online spaces allow people to feel freer than in face to face communication thereafter in relation to forming romantic relationships, people are more willing to flirt, to express themselves and to engage in sexual activities. Thereafter online spaces can feel like a more creative and therapeutic space compared to the offline world. Similarly, Suler (2004) discusses the concept of ‘disinhibition effect’ by which is the nature for people to say and do things in cyberspace that they would otherwise not do in person. This allows people to loosen up, feel less restrained and to express themselves more openly and freely. Suler (2004) notes in addition that the disinhibition effect works in two opposing ways however in that the on the negative side, the anonymity of cyberspace allows people to say rude, harsh, hateful things that they may not say in face to face
There are many problems related to the internet but I will focus on one that is very important which is relationships on social media. Social media might cause many people to feel lonely and make that the people break up or cause damages in any relationships because those people are not able to socialize or interact with people around them. Social media is harmful tool the we have to use with caution because sometimes it helps you, but sometimes it goes against you, especially Facebook and Twitter. Information sharing and relationships on social media are problems that need to be addressed for many reasons. Some of these reasons are the people who are active on social media, interact and socialize with
The development of technology has led up to different ways of social interaction with one another. The launch of the computer was a huge impact in American history. It wasn’t only the computer that launched but also the Internet. Which brought different ways that people could interact with one another though Email and social networks (Lutfala). Some of the more popular social networks used are twitter and Facebook. People may become addicted to tweeting and posting up a tweet or status, this may become a priority to some people. These network accounts allow people to interact with friends and family from all over the world whenever they want with no cost, however people are so addicted to these social network they forget the way people are supposed to interact and that’s by talking in person. Online, children and teenagers can have hundreds of “friends” without having to leave their home or open their mouths. Although is may seem easier for people to send a quick text, email or instant message it destroys the meaning of being able to interact with our friends and family and actually get to see each other face to face.
Today technology has created new styles of communication on the internet for us all. This technology has made great impact on everyday life in today’s society. Cyber communications have become hugely popular in the last decade, especially those websites that help people to find new or old friends, keep in touch with families, and even help people to find potential dates! The numbers of people using cyber social networking are growing in millions every year. Cyber social networks have helped people link to each other with common interests, and expand personal ideas and support worldwide. But people are getting too friendly with this technology. Dangers are slowly appearing, and there still have a lot of hidden threats. Cyber social networks are threats to our personal social lives, lead into new addictions, and compromise the security of privacy issues.
In this article, the researchers studied how different types of people express themselves through various forms of interaction. They divided the participants into two different groupings: introverts vs extroverts and neurotic vs nonneurotic. A pervious study had been performed concluded that social interaction through the internet leads to “loneliness and depression among its users”. (sss) Although, another study concluded that the anonymity of the internet made it easier for people to interact. The internet provides many different services, and a diverse collection of people use these services for various reasons. The researchers used conclusions from previous research as a basis for their study, including: the anonymity allows people
“In order to maintain a positive on-going relationship in any difficult face-to-face circumstance, an individual must learn the appropriate socialization rituals. Knowing these rituals and being able to play a proper front stage role is crucial in order for an individual to get along with others (Brignall and Valey, 2005).” With the relatively recent rise of social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, the means for maintaining relationships through these platforms rather than speech communication and face-to-face communication are becoming much more apparent and widespread throughout society. However, it is difficult to maintain these relationships without knowing proper social skills especially if these skills are not practiced or introduced to an individual. Although, “Communication frequency and self-disclosure play a role in computer-mediated communication and the formation of online friendships just as they do in face-to-face interactions and offline friendships (Subrahmanyam and Greenfield, 2008).” Yet, in our vast digital world that we reside in today, the ways in which we choose to communicate are becoming hindered by our participation in online communication. “We must have a philosophical understanding of the purpose and importance of communication to individuals and based upon this understanding, shape our attitude and value toward the communication process (McFarlane, 2010).” It is extremely crucial to understand communication’s importance and to not tuck the original beliefs and values regarding the tool underneath the rug, resorting and succumbing to communicating poorly in a fashion that mimics what we have now experienced via our devices. “As with any social change, we also believe there is a need to study and understand the impacts that change might have, regardless of whether such changes are viewed as positive or