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  • Essay / The Effect of Social Media on Teenagers: A Look at the Negative Side

    Table of ContentsIntroductionThe Effect Social Media Can Have on a TeenagerConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionPeople Ask What Is Social Media? Daniel Nations of Lifewire said: “Social media are web-based communication tools that allow people to interact with each other by sharing and consuming information. » In this world we have Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, etc. It's not always easy to manage today's teenagers, especially now that social media is so prevalent in their lives. Amy Patural of Your Teen Magazine said: “Social media isn't inherently good or bad – it's all about how it's used. » The effect of social media on a teenager is often negative, as teenagers who use it inappropriately become vulnerable to the harmful acts that occur online every day. This essay will explore how social media is bad for teens due to the cyberbullying, anxiety and depression it can cause in many teens, and its addictive nature. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay The Effect Social Media Can Have on a Teenager Although there are many negative effects for teens who use social media, there are some benefits that can come from it. good use of it. According to Katie Hurley of PSYCOM: "Teens who have issues with social skills, social anxiety, or who don't have easy access to face-to-face social relationships with other teens might benefit from connecting with others. other teenagers via social media. » Hurley says social media can help teens learn new skills, such as social skills, that could be positive factors in their lives. Treyvaud of Family Insights said: “68% of teens say social media gives them support during difficult times. » These positive effects, whether it's social media educating teens or helping teens get through horrible times, show how beneficial social media can be when used as it's intended. be. Unfortunately, this is not often the case. First, cyberbullying plays a major role in how social media is used in negative ways. Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that occurs when someone on social media sends a hateful message or threatens someone else, especially another teen. For example, researchers at the New York Post state: "Recent teen suicides have been blamed on cyberbullying, and social media posts depicting 'perfect' lives could have detrimental consequences for teens' mental health." TechJury's Petrov compiled data on cyberbullying in 2019 and reported the following statistics: "Online bullying among U.S. teens often includes offensive name calling (42%), spreading false rumors (32%), and receiving unwanted explicit images (25%)… Online abuse. and suicidal thoughts are directly linked. 24% have considered suicide after continued cyberbullying. Many teens believe what they see on social media is true, which can make them feel insecure in their own lives compared to the ones they see online. People's opinions, even if they come from posting a photo ofsomeone, can damage a teenager's self-esteem to the point that he or she might consider suicide. In some cases of cyberbullying, the rate of teenage girls being harassed is different than that of teenage boys, as Katie Hurley points out in PSYCOM: "Teenage girls in particular are at risk of cyberbullying due to social media use, but teenage boys are not immune. » Hurley points out that girls can be harassed or ridiculed because of the way they look or what they wear. Ultimately, cyberbullying needs to stop because of the way victims are hurt. So, cyberbullying is a horrible thing that can happen to teenagers who use social media incorrectly. Additionally, overuse of social media can cause teens to suffer from depression and anxiety. As ChildMind reports: “A 2017 study of more than half a million students in grades eight through 12 found that the number of students with high levels of depressive symptoms increased by 33 percent. cent between 2010 and 2015… Some experts see the rise in depression as evidence that the connections social media users make electronically are less emotionally satisfying, leaving them feeling socially isolated. Today, teens often prefer to text over the phone, even if they are in the same room as the person they are texting. Lack of personal interaction can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, ultimately leading to depression. Additionally, many teens on social media suffer from anxiety, as ChildMind states: "In fact, experts worry that the social media and texting that has become an integral part of teens' lives is promoting anxiety and decreasing self-esteem. This can happen when they "feel pressured to respond quickly online, but they also feel pressured to have perfect photos and well-written messages...", to quote Very Well Family. Indeed. Some teens feel anxiety when their post doesn't get enough likes. Sometimes when teens see photos of their friends at social gatherings on social media, they may feel anxious because they weren't invited or because no one noticed that they weren't there. there. Using social media instead of meeting people in person is a negative effect that can lead to depression or anxiety. Finally, teenagers who feel the need to constantly be on social media may become addicted to it, which can become a problem. problem for them. The Newport Academy wrote that "92% of teens go online daily and 24% say they go online 'almost constantly...Scientists have found that teens' overuse of social media creates a pattern of stimulation similar to that created by other addictive behaviors… Each “Like” increases dopamine, just like cocaine and other drugs. In adolescents, the brain develops rapidly and the pleasure centers are all involved. Newport Academy points out that teens who overuse social media can create bad habits that can be linked to a drug problem. Teens who are addicted to their phones checking social media may feel like their own lives aren't as important as what's on their phones. Addiction can also lead to lack of sleep. For example, Inews.co.uk's The Johnston Press said: "The more time young people spent on sites such as Instagram,,-4144769