The Negative The Negative Effects of Social Effects of Social

MediaMedia

By Nina SousleyBy Nina Sousley English 2010English 2010

Mrs. SimonsenMrs. Simonsen April 2, 2013April 2, 2013

“ “Social media has changed the way Social media has changed the way people interact. In many ways, social people interact. In many ways, social media has led to positive changes in media has led to positive changes in the way people communicate and the way people communicate and share information. However, it has a share information. However, it has a dark side as well. Social networking dark side as well. Social networking can sometimes result in negative can sometimes result in negative outcomes, some with long-term outcomes, some with long-term consequences.” (4) consequences.” (4)

IntroductionIntroduction

In a growing world where technology In a growing world where technology has become a necessary source of has become a necessary source of communication, special attention communication, special attention must be placed on the potential must be placed on the potential hazards of social media.hazards of social media.

The World of Social MediaThe World of Social Media

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETnLzLnuDcov=ETnLzLnuDco

The AdvantagesThe Advantages

It’s not difficult to recognize that social It’s not difficult to recognize that social media has many advantages. Having the media has many advantages. Having the ability to connect with people, staying in ability to connect with people, staying in touch with friends and family who are far touch with friends and family who are far away, and having the freedom to away, and having the freedom to communicate whenever and where ever. communicate whenever and where ever. All this could be priceless, to a person All this could be priceless, to a person who may be alone or unable to have who may be alone or unable to have outside contact with the world.outside contact with the world.

Social MediaSocial Media

Although social media may have many Although social media may have many positive advantages, the negative positive advantages, the negative effects of social networking outweigh effects of social networking outweigh the positive.the positive.

The Impact of Social MediaThe Impact of Social Media

Vito Pilieci (The National Post Reporter) argued; “In Vito Pilieci (The National Post Reporter) argued; “In an age when internet devices are always on, an age when internet devices are always on, meeting face-to-face is becoming increasingly rare meeting face-to-face is becoming increasingly rare as people choose to meet screen-to screen…What as people choose to meet screen-to screen…What is this new dynamic doing to normal social is this new dynamic doing to normal social interaction? How do these devices and social interaction? How do these devices and social media services, such as Facebook, affect the way media services, such as Facebook, affect the way we socialize and communicate with each other? we socialize and communicate with each other? But, more than that, what impact do these social But, more than that, what impact do these social networks have on their user’s mental health? ” (7)networks have on their user’s mental health? ” (7)

The Impact of Social Media Cont.The Impact of Social Media Cont.

As parents, some of us may be increasingly As parents, some of us may be increasingly worried about the negative effects that social worried about the negative effects that social media may have on our children. media may have on our children.

Others, may not be able to recognize the Others, may not be able to recognize the negative impact of these effects in themselves as negative impact of these effects in themselves as it slowly changes their behavior .it slowly changes their behavior .

Can we prevent the inevitable in a world where Can we prevent the inevitable in a world where social media has become so common?social media has become so common?

I wasn’t surprised to learn I’m not the only one I wasn’t surprised to learn I’m not the only one with these concerns; but I was shocked to find with these concerns; but I was shocked to find that there are a lot more negative effects from that there are a lot more negative effects from social media than I initially thought there was. social media than I initially thought there was.

Negative Effects of Social MediaNegative Effects of Social Media

A false sense of A false sense of connectionconnection

Mental health effectsMental health effects

Encourages poor Encourages poor grammar, usage, and grammar, usage, and spellingspelling

Exposing children to Exposing children to online predators online predators

Isolation/Loneliness Isolation/Loneliness

Broken relationships, Broken relationships, infidelity and torn infidelity and torn familiesfamilies

Harm to ones Harm to ones reputationreputation

Exposure to cyber Exposure to cyber bullyingbullying

SuicideSuicide

Negative effects of Social Media Negative effects of Social Media Cont.Cont.

Invasion of privacyInvasion of privacy

Exposure to scams, Exposure to scams, identity theft, hackers, identity theft, hackers, fraud, and virus attacksfraud, and virus attacks

Time consumingTime consuming

Poor school Poor school performanceperformance

Increased distractionIncreased distraction

Decreased productivity/ Decreased productivity/ Loss of jobLoss of job

Possibility of addiction Possibility of addiction disorderdisorder

Increased risk of Increased risk of obesityobesity

Increased risk of sleep Increased risk of sleep disordersdisorders

Negative Effects of Social Media Negative Effects of Social Media Cont.Cont.

Many would argue that some of these Many would argue that some of these negative effects are not a direct cause of negative effects are not a direct cause of social networking, however, social media social networking, however, social media has created an increased risk for these has created an increased risk for these tendencies.tendencies.

I will focus on just a few of the negative I will focus on just a few of the negative effects to explain the impact social media effects to explain the impact social media has in our lives, sometimes without us has in our lives, sometimes without us even knowing it.even knowing it.

A False Sense of Connection A False Sense of Connection According to Cornell University's Steven Strogatz, According to Cornell University's Steven Strogatz,

“Social media sites can make it more difficult for us “Social media sites can make it more difficult for us to distinguish between the meaningful to distinguish between the meaningful relationships we foster in the real world, and the relationships we foster in the real world, and the numerous casual relationships formed through numerous casual relationships formed through social media. By focusing so much of our time and social media. By focusing so much of our time and psychic energy on these less meaningful psychic energy on these less meaningful relationships, our most important connections, he relationships, our most important connections, he fears, will weaken.” (5)fears, will weaken.” (5)

A False Sense of Connection Cont.A False Sense of Connection Cont.

We see this false sense of connection a lot We see this false sense of connection a lot more within families and relationships. more within families and relationships.

One of the biggest enemies in many One of the biggest enemies in many homes is - time. Complaining that “There’s homes is - time. Complaining that “There’s never enough time”, has become an never enough time”, has become an increasingly common excuse. increasingly common excuse.

So we sit at the table or we go out; So we sit at the table or we go out; rationalizing that “we are spending time rationalizing that “we are spending time together”. However, there is no real together”. However, there is no real connection taking place with each other, connection taking place with each other, when each person is on their own media when each person is on their own media device.device.

Mental Health EffectsMental Health Effects Doctor Larry Rosen over a

period of time has studied and researched the mental health effects of social media on individuals. He claims; “Earlier studies reported more negative findings such as young adults with a strong Facebook presence tended towards narcism, antisocial tendencies, and aggression.  Overuse was identified as causing anxiety and depression.  Excessive use of social media was also linked to poorer achievement at school.” (8)

Mental Health Effects Cont.Mental Health Effects Cont.

Social media has Social media has become a become a dangerous pass dangerous pass time for individuals time for individuals suffering from suffering from depression, depression, anxiety, suicidal anxiety, suicidal tendencies, and tendencies, and other mental other mental health issues.health issues.

Signs of Unhealthy Social Signs of Unhealthy Social NetworkingNetworking

““While young people are more likely While young people are more likely to suffer mental health issues from to suffer mental health issues from social networking, anyone of any age social networking, anyone of any age may be affected negatively, may be affected negatively, particularly those adults who are particularly those adults who are prone to addictive behavior. prone to addictive behavior. Everyone should understand the Everyone should understand the signs of an unhealthy social signs of an unhealthy social networking situation and watch for networking situation and watch for the following signs:the following signs:

Signs of Unhealthy Social Signs of Unhealthy Social Networking Cont.Networking Cont.

Focusing problemsFocusing problems – easily distracted and loss of – easily distracted and loss of ability to concentrate.ability to concentrate.

Lack of concern about one-on-one relationshipsLack of concern about one-on-one relationships – prioritizing social networking over face to face family – prioritizing social networking over face to face family and friend relationships.and friend relationships.

Lessening communication skillsLessening communication skills – talking less, – talking less, difficulty articulating thoughts into words, inattentive difficulty articulating thoughts into words, inattentive when others are speaking.when others are speaking.

Unconcerned about obligations in the “real” Unconcerned about obligations in the “real” worldworld – more interested in checking status updates – more interested in checking status updates and communicating on the internet than participating and communicating on the internet than participating in activities off of the computer.in activities off of the computer.

Withdrawal symptoms (agitation, fidgeting, Withdrawal symptoms (agitation, fidgeting, aggressiveness, etc)aggressiveness, etc) when unable to participate in when unable to participate in social networking for a period of time.” (1)social networking for a period of time.” (1)

AwarenessAwareness

Being a part of the social media Being a part of the social media revolution requires personal revolution requires personal education and responsibility of the education and responsibility of the hazards.hazards.

Parents should become familiar with Parents should become familiar with the warning signs of the negative the warning signs of the negative impacts to their children. impacts to their children.

Social Media and Its Effects on Social Media and Its Effects on SuicideSuicide

““The study for the National Center for Telehealth and The study for the National Center for Telehealth and Technology (a health organization that typically works with the Technology (a health organization that typically works with the military on brain injuries) was completed in response to the military on brain injuries) was completed in response to the rising number of suicide deaths because of cyberbullying. It rising number of suicide deaths because of cyberbullying. It found that, while it’s a difficult subject to study (“only” one found that, while it’s a difficult subject to study (“only” one million people worldwide commit suicide), there are several million people worldwide commit suicide), there are several consequences when it comes to Internet use and increased consequences when it comes to Internet use and increased suicide rates:suicide rates:

- Cyberbullying has been tied to increased suicide risks, - Cyberbullying has been tied to increased suicide risks, particularly among teenagers (and you thought high school particularly among teenagers (and you thought high school was bad) was bad)

- Social media helps form suicide pacts among complete - Social media helps form suicide pacts among complete strangers with only this one thing in common strangers with only this one thing in common

- There is information on “how-to” methods for committing - There is information on “how-to” methods for committing suicide suicide

- Video sites, such as YouTube, are increasingly playing a - Video sites, such as YouTube, are increasingly playing a

role in providing pro-suicide and self-harm content.” (3)role in providing pro-suicide and self-harm content.” (3)

Suicide Cont.Suicide Cont.

Children and juveniles Children and juveniles who exhibit signs of who exhibit signs of being bullied are at being bullied are at greater risk of being greater risk of being suicidal when social suicidal when social media is involved.media is involved.

Additionally, methods Additionally, methods of suicide are of suicide are available through the available through the same sources of social same sources of social media. media.

Isolation and Loneliness Isolation and Loneliness ““Social-networking sites like Facebook and Social-networking sites like Facebook and

MySpace may provide people with a false sense of MySpace may provide people with a false sense of connection that ultimately increases loneliness in connection that ultimately increases loneliness in people who feel alone. These sites should serve as people who feel alone. These sites should serve as a supplement, but not replacement for, face-to-face a supplement, but not replacement for, face-to-face interaction,” Cacioppo says. He compares interaction,” Cacioppo says. He compares connecting on a Web site to eating celery: "It feels connecting on a Web site to eating celery: "It feels good immediately, but it doesn't give you the same good immediately, but it doesn't give you the same sustenance," he says. sustenance," he says.

For people who feel satisfied and loved in their day-For people who feel satisfied and loved in their day-to-day life, social media can be a reassuring to-day life, social media can be a reassuring extension. For those who are already lonely, extension. For those who are already lonely, Facebook status updates are just a reminder of how Facebook status updates are just a reminder of how much better everyone else is at making friends and much better everyone else is at making friends and having fun.” (2)having fun.” (2)

Health Problems Associated With Health Problems Associated With Social MediaSocial Media

““There is an extensive range of There is an extensive range of mental and health problems known mental and health problems known to be associated with spending too to be associated with spending too much time on social media. In much time on social media. In addition to reducing productivity, addition to reducing productivity, creating distractions and increasing creating distractions and increasing burnouts, they can cause some burnouts, they can cause some serious medical issues.” (9)serious medical issues.” (9)

Health Problems Associated With Health Problems Associated With Social Media Cont.Social Media Cont.

Increase Risk of Obesity- Increase Risk of Obesity- Sedentary life style, increased time Sedentary life style, increased time spent social networking.spent social networking.

Eating Disorders- Eating Disorders- “Whilst the portrayal of "ideal" body types in western “Whilst the portrayal of "ideal" body types in western media has long been recognized as a factor in propagating eating disorders, media has long been recognized as a factor in propagating eating disorders, current research has been examining the role of social media in the current research has been examining the role of social media in the triggering and spreading of the diseases. Research has shown that eating triggering and spreading of the diseases. Research has shown that eating disorders can be transmitted "like a virus" through social networks.” (12)disorders can be transmitted "like a virus" through social networks.” (12)

Mental Health Disorders- Mental Health Disorders- Daily overuse of social media has a negative Daily overuse of social media has a negative effect on children's health making them prone to psychological disorders effect on children's health making them prone to psychological disorders such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders, anxiety and depression.such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders, anxiety and depression.

Sleep Disorders- “Sleep Disorders- “Medical experts attest that school aged children Medical experts attest that school aged children are afflicted with sleep disorders because of elevated social media are afflicted with sleep disorders because of elevated social media usage.  In turn, these sleep disorders severely affect the children’s usage.  In turn, these sleep disorders severely affect the children’s ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle and impedes their ability to ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle and impedes their ability to perform well in school.” (11)perform well in school.” (11)   

Addiction Disorders- Addiction Disorders- See next slideSee next slide

Addiction DisorderAddiction Disorder Facebook Addiction Disorder — “When people are Facebook Addiction Disorder — “When people are

afraid to disconnect from social media services afraid to disconnect from social media services because they think they’re going to be missing because they think they’re going to be missing something important. The disorder, which is not a something important. The disorder, which is not a clinical diagnosis and is not yet recognized by the clinical diagnosis and is not yet recognized by the broader medical community, is attracting broader medical community, is attracting attention. In a paper that will soon be published in attention. In a paper that will soon be published in the journal Psychological Science, a team of the journal Psychological Science, a team of researchers from Chicago University’s Booth researchers from Chicago University’s Booth Business School, led by Wilhelm Hofmann, has Business School, led by Wilhelm Hofmann, has found that Facebook and social media websites found that Facebook and social media websites may be as addictive as alcohol or cigarettes.” (7)may be as addictive as alcohol or cigarettes.” (7)

WithdrawalsWithdrawals In a study from the In a study from the

University of Maryland, University of Maryland, students were asked to go students were asked to go without social media for 24 without social media for 24 hours. The study showed hours. The study showed students had withdrawal students had withdrawal symptoms, “ such as symptoms, “ such as anxiety, misery, and being anxiety, misery, and being jittery.” (6)jittery.” (6)

These symptoms are also These symptoms are also common in people common in people recovering from drug and recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. alcohol addiction.

Final Remarks Final Remarks

Considering the negative effects of social Considering the negative effects of social media, ask yourself these questions again;media, ask yourself these questions again;

1.1. WHAT WHAT is this new dynamic doing to is this new dynamic doing to normal social interaction?normal social interaction?

2.2. What impact do these social networks What impact do these social networks have on their user’s mental health? have on their user’s mental health?

As we embrace this new social media revolution As we embrace this new social media revolution we should be mindful of the negative effects and we should be mindful of the negative effects and hazards that come along with it.hazards that come along with it.

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