What Effect Technology and Social Media Have on Our Society

According to the Daily Mail, according to a 2015 survey, at least 57 percent of minors aged eleven to sixteen are on Snapchat, while another 50 percent are on Facebook and use it on a daily basis (Alexander). For the first time in history, the planet is seeing a generation that is constantly linked to the modern world. According to a study conducted in the United Kingdom, parents are getting highly concerned about the pattern and are paying attention to it with questions about the value of such electronic and connection products. It has to be remembered that the primary reason for the invention of the internet and social media was to ease connectivity between humans and enable people to make new friends. While this could be perceived as a positive effect, recent studies have emerged that show that the social media is now one of the greatest challenges in the society as it is associated with adverse social effects both on the user and on the community that they are living in as a whole. Research has shown that while advancements in technology could be beneficial, the abuse of it including social media in our society could be extremely negative for the interactions of human relations over time.

Overuse of Technology

One of the greatest challenges that have been noted is that there are chances that users end up being addicted to the media platforms, which eventually leads to an increased disconnection from the real life. Just as any other forms of addiction, it is noted that there are costs associated spending long times on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms that are popular with the presents generation. For is like that in the process of using such media platforms, one would feel a sense of satisfaction but over time, it has a negative impact on the number of quality of relationship that one has with others. The overall effect if that there is a disconnection from real life. There are varied examples of such trends in the present generation. An instance of negativity associated with technology would be the constant battle of censoring adult videos to young adults. Pornography, even though it is illegal, is one of the most profitable businesses run today. The reason for its success is because there are many people who use technology, the internet, and social media to visit their links and websites (Alexander). It thus affirms that worrying trend that is proving to be a huge obstacle to human interaction.

Lack of Connection

The other challenges that has since been noted is that there are lowered interaction capacities with the facility and the society when one is more involved with the social media. One such problematic outcome has been the effect of emotional invisibility. The concept implies the tendency to delay responses or confrontation instead of answering to peoples demands or certain obligation. The internet provides an environment where you can ignore requests or make excuses on not responding in an adequate timeframe.

Furthermore, technology and social media are proving to be a challenge to the promotion of moral value and etiquette as many people tend to engage in sites that destroy their morals. The impression that is created where people tend to act as if they are anonymous and invisible behind their computers and other electronic gadgets has led many to engage in sites that can be thought of as the bad sites, in the sense that they destroy morality. For example, a trend has been noted that is leading into more addictions related to being online, such as addictive behavior to online porn, video gaming, online shopping, social media (Lickerman). As a result, people are engaging in activities that they would not engage in when perceived in the real world and which is having an adverse effect om ethical obligation.

A related trend has been that people are increasingly developing health complications from the use of social media. The most notable effect is the rise in obesity among the youths and those who send a lot of time in sedentary lifestyle. The rise in childhood obesity is primarily due to increase of video games, tablets and television (Shellabarger). The percentage of children ages 6 to 11 considered obese has increased from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 19.6 percent in 2008; in adolescents between 12 and 19, it has increased from 5 percent to 18.1 percent (The Times Tribune). Thus, the lack of exercise and a general want to go outside to interact due to social media and gaming addictions is proving to be a huge hindrance. Unfortunately, further research has shown that the increase in social media causes anxiety, depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Das et al. 23).

Increased Cyberbullying

The third factor that is worth highlighting is the realization that cyberbullying is becoming a worrisome trend. While bullying among children and adolescents has been around for generations, the advancement in social media has been able to increase this exponentially. Unrealistic expectations of staying connected to the social network is consuming the youth to and unhealthy state. Many end up in online confrontations and this could have adverse effects on the subject’s health as it demoralizes another, especially the victim, when they ae engaged in abuses on social media.

There is a broad range of research published to support these findings. In one case, research has revealed a link between cyberbullying and low self-esteem, family problems, academic difficulties, school violence and various delinquent behaviors (Patchin). Suicide rates have also increased due to cyberbullying. It is equally astounding that approximately 43 percent of the students report experiencing cyberbullying during their lifetime (Patchin). These issue remains a huge challenge for the community because when a child is unable to interact freely online, there are chances that they will express the depression to those they are living with and those with whom they interact.

Conclusion

It is thus important to note that the addiction to social media is a huge challenge to the users today and especially to the social groups, from the realization that 50 percent of users spend time on Facebook daily. One of the greatest challenges is the reduction in time for real human interaction. Furthermore, there is a trend of overusing, which is inherently attributed to addition that ends in the loss of moral values. Lastly, the concept of cyberbullying is a challenge to the users as it leads to complications such as depression and anxiety. Overall, while the use of the social media could be perceived to be benefiting, the outcome in the present generation is that it is having a bad effect.

Works Cited

Alexander, Clinton. “Social Media Culture Believed to Have a Negative Effect on Youth.” New America. N.p., 2016. Print.

Das, A et al. ”Technology Addiction among Treatment Seekers for Psychological Problems: Implication for Screening in Mental Health Setting.” Indian J Psychol Med. 39.1 (2017): 21–27. Print.

Lickerman, Alex. ”The Effect Of Technology On Relationships.” Psychology Today (2017): n. pag. Web.

Patchin, Justin W. ”2015 Cyberbullying Data.” Cyberbullying (2015): n. pag. Web.

Shellabarger, RuthAnne. ”Social Media’s Impact On Society.” Odyssey (2016): n. pag. Web.

The Times Tribune. ”Kids, Computers and Childhood Obesity.” The Scranton Times-Tribune (2017): n. pag. Print.