Social Networks

How Do Social Networks Have Affected Teenagers?

            Many people around the world are aware about what social networks offer. The popularity of social networks has increased so much that they have become a daily not only for teenagers but also for adults. Should people worry about how much do social networks affect their lives? Maybe, but people had better take advantage of what social media offers before it take advantage of them. Teens now were born when the turning point of social networks started and its applications too. According to Social Networking (2017), “A 2016 study found that overuse of social media as an adolescent may decrease success in relationships later in life as online communication hinders the development of conflict management skills and awareness of interpersonal cues”. Because teens maybe some of them are not so rational, they are not realized about the negative consequences that it can bring. As teenagers are more likely to be influenced, there are three main areas that have been affected by social networks on this population. 

            Communication is the first effect that social networks have created in teenagers since they are twenty-four hours per day connected. Communication before was so different compared to the present century. But it has changed for better or for worse? According to Moore (2013), “57% of people talk more online than they do on real life”. Maybe it has reduced face to face communication for some people, but it has increased the social life for shy people or those who have low self-esteem. On the other hand, social networks allowed a faster communication than letters sent by horse. People can even communicate with any person around the world with just one click. However, social networks as communicators can met you up with a criminal which can be risky for teenagers that are not usually taking into account that there are people who used to lie just for having what they want.

            Besides communication, teenagers’ lifestyle have changed because of social networks. Teenagers are more attentive to their accounts and notifications than what it is happening outside. Related to lifestyle, people before used to congratulate because of people's birthdays with a card and something write for themselves, now people do not remember dates because Facebook do it and they just post a message. Teens are also more concerned about posting pictures of their food or a concert rather than enjoy the moments. According to Scott Ross in Moore (2013), “I think in those days we were just doing it in the real world, and actually talking to one another face to face rather than communicating through this machine”. However, there are other aspects that have changed related to lifestyle; for example, how people buy and sell objects now, and how advertisers are placed now. Most of teenagers are so addicted to their social networks accounts that they spent a lot of time before going to sleep checking Facebook or Instagram. 

            In addition to communication and lifestyle, the exhibition to certain danger is the final effect that social networks have increased in teenagers. Teens may trust on any person who send them a friend request and they do not measure the danger. As social networks are used since schools, there are cases more and more early related to cyber bullying which can not only lower their self-esteem but also can affect their learning process. Teenagers now are more exposed to be victims of criminal thefts than before when their personal information was not shared. There are also cases of teens that met up with unknown people that create fake accounts and become victims of sexual abuse. According to Lauren (2014), “Teenagers who are sexually abuse are likely to become depress or suicidal”. This exhibition size is unimaginable and it is very dangerous for teenagers that are not under an adult supervision. Teenagers need to be very careful because once something is on internet it stays on internet. The previous is particularly important because they used to share their location or inappropriate photos. 

            In sum, communication, lifestyle, and exhibition are the three most important areas that social networks have affected on teenagers. Within social networks many aspects are more instant; people are connected and they know what is happening around the world just sitting in their homes. According to Social Networking (2017), “Proponents of social networking sites say that the online communities promote increased interaction with friends and family; offer teachers, librarians, and students valuable access to educational support and materials; facilitate social and political change; and disseminate useful information rapidly”. Social networks can be an amazing tool even for educational purposes, but if it is overused people may have troubles. As it was mentioned before with internet your information is no longer confidential so better be alert and try to avoid problems. If you are a teenager feeling unsecure on social networks ask for an adult recommendation. However, people in general should be aware of the danger but also enjoy the advantages that they allow. 

References

Lauren, S. (2014). The pros and cons of social networking & adolescents. YouTube. Recovered from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SAYwQM7OaA

Moore, A. (2013). How Social Networks Have Changed the World. YouTube. Recovered from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trH4iuebjjI

Social Networking. (2017). Are Social Networking Sites Good for Our Society? Recovered from: http://socialnetworking.procon.org/