Is social media doing more harm than good?
Many of us are on social media, and sometimes we enjoy it and sometimes we get hurt. Social media can lead to cyberbullying or you could meet your new best friend. You really never know what will come out of it. So, who can you trust? How do you know that you aren’t just polluting your brain with endless idiocy? You don’t, but some things make it worth it, right? Social media has many pros and cons, many roses and many thorns. But will one outweigh the other? Will there be one con (or pro) that will change our minds on social media as a whole?
I will begin with the pros….
Pro#1:
Social media sites inspire/empower folks to make social change. People feel empowered by others posting things about social change, so they want to give it a go for themselves. Everyone building up on this helps people be more educated on several important topics that may not have been brought to their attention before! Speaking from personal experience, if I see posts about things regarding social justice, (1) I learn more about the topic and (2) I research about it and make my own post so I can help educate others. And this cycle repeats itself and keeps inspiring social media users!
Pro#2:
Social media spreads information very quickly and effectively, it lets the public know about what exactly is going on in the world. Did you know that 78.5 % of media reporters use different social media apps to check for news? Reporters also check on social media for inspiration on their next piece, so they can help inform others as well. Also, social media settings are one of the top news sources for 46% of americans! Without social media, people wouldn’t be as educated on various topics and wouldn’t get the incites of many others. And, not only do people gather information about worldwide news, but people also stay in touch with their families. Social media allows people to contact each other, and spreads their information to each other effectively. An anonymous user of social media said “Social media has allowed me to stay in contact with friends and family that I normally don’t or that live outside of the US, so for me that’s been a great factor for me.” This is the case for many others.
Pro#3:
Social media helps and encourages shy or closed off people to open up and connect with others. Many teens have reported that social media has made them more outgoing (28%), more confident (20%) and less shy (25%). I have experienced this firsthand. When you’re on social media, you can educate, explore and speak out on things important to you, it makes one feel empowered and proud that you spoke up! I have seen this happen with some of my friends too. Lexie Stevens, a student, says, “Social media makes me feel like I can actually do something and like people will actually listen and people will consider what I’m saying and doing.” This just proves that social media (in some cases) helps folks feel a little more confident and heard, all things that a teen needs!
Pro#4:
Social media helps musicians and artists build their businesses without a contract. Whenever you’re scrolling through various social media platforms, at some point, you come across a young artist or musician doing what they feel passionate about. They paint, draw, sing, play an instrument and you and many, MANY other people hit the ‘like’ button on your screen. By hitting the ‘like’ you are supporting this creative person and helping them grow their career. One example would be Benson Boone, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter. Every so often, while I’m scrolling through TikTok, I see his videos promoting one his new song, “In The Stars.” He started on TikTok, and now he has written and successfully recorded many wonderful songs. Not to mention, all his songs boost his followers, he currently has 3 Million followers!
These are some of the good things about social media, things you have probably noticed while you’re on these platforms, but is this enough to gain your trust in social media? If it has, wait a minute and read the following cons of social media. I am almost completely sure you’ll be changing your mind…
Con#1:
In some cases, students who use a lot of their time on social media get lower grades than others. Thirty-one percent of teens have said that using social media while doing homework reduces the quality of their work, which makes perfect sense since you wouldn’t be able to give your complete focus on your homework. And since social media is so addictive, I’d imagine it’s hard to stop scrolling and watching things, regardless of what you’re doing. From personal experience, I try not to use any social media platforms while I’m doing my homework because I know that my work will be weaker. But as I said, it’s addictive and a hard habit to break.
Con#2:
Social media provokes insecurities for people of all ages, but more likely young folks. Answer a quick question for me; how many times when you’re on social media, have you seen this one person with the perfect life that you wish you had? Or this other person with the looks you wish you had? Or someone else with ALL the money and the amazing grades? Doesn’t it make you sad that you don’t have that? Doesn’t it make you feel insecure about literally everything in your life? Your life, your body, your grades, and more? And then the guilt comes in, you know your life is (in some cases) fine but you still feel jealous of this one perfect person. You still want their picture-perfect life. And then you feel even more insecure than you did before. THAT is social media—lies and unrealistic fantasies. And we have Diana Mendez to prove it. She is a social media user and says that her ”mental health has been affected by social media. I would say I compare myself to others, just seeing others live a different lifestyle than me has impacted me in various ways. It has begun to impact my mental health.” This is just one person, and I guarantee that there are thousands more that feel the exact same way.
Con#3:
Social media is addictive and our addictions make us waste time on important topics. There is no doubt in my mind that social media is very addicting and sometimes a waste of time. With it being addictive and all, it’s incredibly hard to put the phone down and focus on literally anything else. You feel the need to look at your phone like you need to look at the number of followers you have or the number of likes and comments on your videos. Am I right? The next thing you’re about to hear is utterly ridiculous, but you need to hear it… Teens use up to NINE HOURS a day on social media, with the minimum being 3.5 hours.If that doesn’t scream addictive, I don’t know what will.
Teens use up to NINE HOURS a day on social media, with the minimum being 3.5 hours.
Con#4:
On social media, most teens get cyber bullied and it obviously affects their mental health. If this doesn’t completely ruin your impression on social media, then I really don’t know what other horrible fact I can tell you to change your impression. “Many people end up hurting each other just because we can’t actually see the real them in person, so whatever hate gets said just stays anonymous. Also the environment is sometimes way too overwhelming and I feel like people get a little too comfortable on it.” An anonymous user said. This is basically how most people feel, because when bullying online happens, most of the time, you don’t know who said it. You just keep getting targeted. But how does this affect your mental health? Fifty-nine percent of American teens get cyber bullied. That is more than half. People have been harassed, called very offensive names, bullied by their peers, teased, ridiculed, and more. Did you know that 37% of teens who get cyber bullied develop depression and that 41% of teens develop social anxiety? This is one of the worst things about social media that, whichever app you’re on, you will experience some form of cyber bullying, whether you realize it or not. Are there actual ways to prevent cyber bullying? Sure, you could block the person, but they’ll come back again and again and again.
Due to all of social media’s highs and lows, it has led users to feel mixed about the topic, here’s an example: “I think social media can be beneficial but can also be very detrimental,” said Mendez. This is a very true, unique insight on social media. There are SO many sides of this story, so many experiences, opinions and perspectives. But, will we ever fully know if social media is really trustworthy? Is social media messing up society more than we have noticed? Is it worth it to stay on these platforms? I’m not sure, but reflect on these pros and cons and decide out for yourself.
Students of the Sidewalk 