Effects of Social Networking

As a collegiate student looking to make the most of my opportunities, I have to consider the effects of social networking. Social networking has shown exponential growth throughout the "2000s". I remember when I began to hear about it. I was in junior high school. I had no idea how big of an impact things like Facebook and Twitter would have on our society.


But what are the effects that it has on our society?
Are they good? Bad? Both?

It is quite extraordinary how social networking can affect our lives. Since it is a relatively new phenomenon, studies are just now beginning to come out on how it actually affects us. According to the American Psychological Association, teens who spend excessive amounts of time on Facebook tend to show antisocial behaviors, manic episodes, and aggressive tendencies. This makes sense. When I get on Facebook it seems as if all I see are people constantly arguing or bickering at each other over political issues, popular events/people, and other topics. It seems to be adults a lot of the time that are making fools of themselves. What is that teaching our youth?

It is not all bad, though.

Studies show that social networking can increase "virtual empathy". It can help young introverted teens learn to interact with others through the compatibility of a screen. Also, social networking can be educational. Teens can access information though a variety of ways as a result of social networking. Although the APA says these are positive, in my humble opinion I have to disagree. Young kids should learn empathy though physical interaction with each other. They should learn how to cooperate and work together with one another. I feel that these "positive" effects of social networking will greatly influence the next generations to come in a negative way. Kids need to learn that they are responsible for what they say. Being behind a screen seems to make some people brave. Kids say mean things to each other through social networking. Sometimes they do it anonymously although it is still hateful and can hurt others. And the whole thing about social networking providing access to information? This is very true but we must ask ourselves, is this information credible? The very fact that many people do not ask themselves this question leads to many arguments with facts and other information that isn't necessarily true. People will post anything to get you to think the way they do.

Social networking still does serve a functional purpose with our society. People can keep up with friends and/or relatives that live far away. People can virtually interact with each other from around the world which is very convenient. As a student in college, social networking is helpful to me because I can keep up with fellow classmates and teachers. I can see schedules and information about my university by simply "following" or "liking" their page.

So the answer is social networking can be good or bad, the question is how do we teach people to use it in a positive way?








Sources:


http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2011/08/social-kids.aspx


http://www.teenink.com/nonfiction/academic/article/485925/The-Effects-of-Social-Networking-upon-Society/