Social media defined by the Oxford Dictionary is websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. Social media has negative and positive impacts, however, it can be detrimental towards the young generation. Social media is an easy platform for online predators to target youths, and it can also give an unrealistic idea of the consumption of alcohol and drugs. However, social media can help the emotional wellbeing of youths. Many youths share personal information such as photos of themselves, their cell phone numbers and more. By sharing these private information it can have serious consequences. Online predators can use their shared information to hack into their accounts
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Youths can be desensitised to believe that because many other youths are trying alcohol and drugs, they should too. Underage drinking and use of drugs are illegal, have health risks and could affect one’s behaviour. Social media also contains a lot of sexual content that can influence youths’ thinking and behaviour towards sex. Many youths nowadays have underage sex and it has to do with the influence of social media and the people on social media. Social media could make youths think that sex is a norm and they should try it because other youths are, this could result in unsafe sex and unwanted pregnancy. CASAColumbia surveyed 1,037 teenagers in America aged 12-17. The survey found that 40% of all the teens surveyed have seen pictures on social networking sites of teens getting drunk or using drugs. Around 90% of the teens first saw those pictures when they were 15 or younger. Teens that have seen pictures of other teens getting drunk or using drugs are three times likelier to use alcohol and are much likelier to have friends and classmates who abuse illegal and prescription drugs. This is because with exposure to this kind of content at an impressionable age, youths will be influenced by what they see on social media and have a higher chance of trying alcohol or drugs. This shows that social media can influence youths to consume alcohol and drugs, which can affect their health or other severe
Youths can be desensitised to believe that because many other youths are trying alcohol and drugs, they should too. Underage drinking and use of drugs are illegal, have health risks and could affect one’s behaviour. Social media also contains a lot of sexual content that can influence youths’ thinking and behaviour towards sex. Many youths nowadays have underage sex and it has to do with the influence of social media and the people on social media. Social media could make youths think that sex is a norm and they should try it because other youths are, this could result in unsafe sex and unwanted pregnancy. CASAColumbia surveyed 1,037 teenagers in America aged 12-17. The survey found that 40% of all the teens surveyed have seen pictures on social networking sites of teens getting drunk or using drugs. Around 90% of the teens first saw those pictures when they were 15 or younger. Teens that have seen pictures of other teens getting drunk or using drugs are three times likelier to use alcohol and are much likelier to have friends and classmates who abuse illegal and prescription drugs. This is because with exposure to this kind of content at an impressionable age, youths will be influenced by what they see on social media and have a higher chance of trying alcohol or drugs. This shows that social media can influence youths to consume alcohol and drugs, which can affect their health or other severe