Social media has birthed a new way of bullying called cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that takes place on the internet through social media sites. Cyberbullying “[includes] mean text messages or emails, rumors by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles” (stopbullying.gov, para. 2). It has created a weapon for children, teens, and even adults to use amongst each other. What is so different between cyberbullying vs regular bullying? Social media sites are open all day meaning cyberbullying can take place at any time of the day. The internet is also a very wide audience. Cyberbullying is also can be done anonymously resulting in a difficult time finding the bully. This form of bullying is very harmful; victims of cyberbullying are more likely to do drugs, drink alcohol, skip school, and have health problems. Social media has created such a harmful environment for people that it has even resulted in …show more content…
People on average spend an hour a day on the Internet, which hinders the amount of exercise, or sleep a person, will receive. For a person at any age, lack of exercise or sleep can be toxic to the human body. People are more likely to become obese with the use of social media. Social media is also has become very harmful to a person mental health. People are more likely to seep into depression or feel lonely with the use of social networking sites. In his article “Physical and Social Effects of Internet Use in Children”, Josh Patrick explores social media’s harm on the mental health of adolescents:
Increased Internet use among children may result in feelings of loneliness and depression, warns Geeseeny Sawmy. Whether time spent online is a cause or effect of these negative feelings is unclear. However, more online time does result in less time spent with family and friends or working on hobbies. The rapid and instant nature of Internet stimulation alters the way a young person sees the world, leading to more boredom with everyday life. (para. 5)
Social media is harmful to the mind and body to not only children but to people of all ages. It has created a very large population of unhealthy people all around the