Social Media Interdependency

With the recent introduction of the internet, people from all over the world are able to interact with each other. A person from the US can communicate to someone across the globe in mere seconds. And some social media websites, like Facebook or Twitter, promote social interaction between users and provide an environment where strangers can more comfortably acquaint and befriend with each other. Social media serves as a social hub for large number of users promoting greater community engagement but less privacy and personal relations. With more and more users joining and using social media websites, personal relationship within groups are becoming more difficult. The basis of most groups on social media is social category. Social media sites …show more content…
According to Professor Larry Rosen, “’Many kids say they prefer not to talk face to face.’” (Clemmitt 84) The constant use of social media as a means of communication has set a trend where people talk to each other in person less often. Rosen states that younger children generally “rely on written communication only,” (Clemmitt 84) instead of physically talking to someone. Because of this, people dependent on social media might not develop proper communication skills such as nonverbal communication. Social media’s role in a person’s social life is increasing to dangerous proportions. The over dependency on written communication will affect a person’s ability to communicate, socialize and succeed in the job market. Not only are children dependent on text, some are getting addicted to social media. Users are developing “reoccurring 30-second glances at social media,” (Clemmitt 88) which interferes with work and study. Students who developed the habit “remained at one task three to five minutes before losing focus.” (Clemmitt 87) Now, people are connected with each other 24/7 over the internet and are “never alone.” (Clemmitt 88) The anxiety distracts people, particularly students, from paying attention or focusing on a task. Over usage of social media comes with a risk to a user’s own ability to be socially …show more content…
Webs of social relations are increasing in size as people are exposed and introduced to more people indirectly in social media. According to Clemmitt, social media sites like SNS or Facebook had notifications about friends or friends as well as access to group membership lists, this allowed users to have “natural-feeling method,” (94) of contacting and befriending other users. User’s post could be seen by indirect acquaintances which could be passed onto other acquaintances. However, with the increased connectivity, user’s social stress increases as well because family, coworkers, superiors are involved in the network. And whatever users post, it becomes an “anxious event full of social landmines.” (Clemmitt 89) A post intended to be viewed by a friend can be viewed by an employer or a parent, limiting the amount of interaction a user has with friends. On a different note, a study by Christakis and Fowlers made on obesity suggested that “obesity may spread in social networks;” (377) ideals and trends can spread through a social network. And certain traits or opinions in a network could become the accepted norm. The same applies in social media where users are able to post their opinion for other users to read, share or comment on in seconds. Ideas and opinions will spread like wildfire in these networks as users share the post with other users causing a snowball effect. The more users agreed or