There are a plethora of social media sites today. Discovering Computers 2016 (2016) defines social media as "a website that encourages members in its online community to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users" (p. 72). From Facebook, to Instagram and Twitter. There are websites where you can socialize and then websites, such as YouTube, that are used to just post short videos. No matter what the social platform, there are millions of people plugged into them. Social media is at our fingertips now more than ever before. Social media can be accessed on our desktop computers, lap tops, and smart phones. Social media can be a positive platform, however when used excessively or maliciously,
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One negative aspect of social media being readily available is that horrific things are instantly posted to the websites. Individuals will record an incident on their smart phones and post the videos, often times embarrassing the individuals in them. There have been numerous videos of fights or individuals doing pranks on complete strangers. Cyber bullying is a serious factor in social media use. According to White (2015), "twenty-five percent of teenagers report that they have experienced repeated bullying via their cell phone or the internet" (para. 3). Cyber bullying can have a massive effect on an individual. White (2015) states that bullying can cause depression, low self-esteem, school problems, loneliness, insecurity, substance abuse, and suicide (para. 4). Many people that play mean spirited pranks or bully people on line think that they are funny, they do not take the time to think about how their actions can affect the individual on the receiving end. Many individuals that are cyber bullied can feel the psychological effects of the bullying for …show more content…
The number of people that abuse social media is far outweighed by the multitudes that use it to keep in contact with loved ones or for support. Social Media can help people feel more connected to the people and world around them, putting people into contact with information and other individuals that they would not normally get to know. Social Media is going to be around for some time to come, it is essentially a new platform. While excessive use can be harmful to the body and relationships, when used in moderation it can provide a rich
One negative aspect of social media being readily available is that horrific things are instantly posted to the websites. Individuals will record an incident on their smart phones and post the videos, often times embarrassing the individuals in them. There have been numerous videos of fights or individuals doing pranks on complete strangers. Cyber bullying is a serious factor in social media use. According to White (2015), "twenty-five percent of teenagers report that they have experienced repeated bullying via their cell phone or the internet" (para. 3). Cyber bullying can have a massive effect on an individual. White (2015) states that bullying can cause depression, low self-esteem, school problems, loneliness, insecurity, substance abuse, and suicide (para. 4). Many people that play mean spirited pranks or bully people on line think that they are funny, they do not take the time to think about how their actions can affect the individual on the receiving end. Many individuals that are cyber bullied can feel the psychological effects of the bullying for …show more content…
The number of people that abuse social media is far outweighed by the multitudes that use it to keep in contact with loved ones or for support. Social Media can help people feel more connected to the people and world around them, putting people into contact with information and other individuals that they would not normally get to know. Social Media is going to be around for some time to come, it is essentially a new platform. While excessive use can be harmful to the body and relationships, when used in moderation it can provide a rich