The world has grown at a fast rate and does not seem to be slowing
down. This is true in regard to technology as well. One of the most
impactful inventions of our time is that of social media. It is hard to
escape. Everywhere you go you see people glued to their phones.
People talk more through posts than in real life a lot of the time.
Although, social media is not going anywhere anytime soon (that we
know of) it does have extreme negative effects on the mind.
b Social media can be seen as a drug because of how it is addictive
and there are withdrawals (TED, 2017). In a recent article, 22% of
teenagers checked their social media accounts more than ten times a
day. The dreadful side effects of social media are extremely apparent
in teenagers that have grown up exposed to it. They are suffering
more mental disorders due to isolating from families and
communities, diving too far into sexual and violent situations online,
and dealing with harassment that can haunt them to the point of
suicide. These are only a few main key points to think about when
considering the negative impact social media has on the psyche
(Elsayed, 2021).
b The internet has not been around long enough to determine the
severe long-term affects it will have. Not to mention it is changing
and growing every day. It is becoming more and more normal to have
these multiple social media accounts and check them all the time.
Meanwhile not feeling fulfilled if you do not post on each one. Also,
creating an uneasy feeling that you are not showing the love you
should to others because you did not post for 'Love your daughter
day' or comment on a friend's picture.
b There seems to be a need for social justice when it comes to what
our youth is dealing with regarding this issue. They have made it clear
that many of them are not happy or content. There is a widespread
of gun violence in schools. Bullying is not just in the cafeteria, now it
is in their own rooms. There needs to be a focus on the mental health
of our youth and that begins with the other worlds they live in which
is social media. This is how this issue directly relates to social justice.
References:
TED. (2017, June 22).
Bailey Parnell: Is Social Media Hurting Your
Mental Health?
[Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Czg_9C7gw0o
Elsayed, W. (2021). The negative effects of social media on the social
b identity of adolescents from the perspective of social work.
Heliyon
,
7
(2). https://doi-
org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06327
