Social Media Effect On Young People

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Social Media Effect on Young People

The 21

century is characterized by outstanding developments in technology that explain

not only the numerous social media platforms but also their ease of access among the youth. Just

like any other innovation, platforms such as Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter, Nation-Focus,

Myspace, LinkedIn YouTube, among others, have both constructive and adverse effects on

young people. This essay discusses how the social media promotes personal awareness, enhances

social networking and offers exciting interaction opportunities for our youth alongside the

associated forebodings such as misinformation and privacy concerns.

Research has shown that about 28% of Americans obtain information online, which is

almost twice the percentage of those who access information through the radio (Boulianne, 532).

The enhanced access to information has promoted awareness among the youth since they can

access news, early warning s and other relevant material in real time. Besides, Vaterlaus et al.,

(157) note that individuals in formative years can attain self-awareness and thus get empowered

to face the challenges affecting adolescents and young adults.

Social networking is indispensable in contemporary research and business. According to

Vaterlaus et al., (154) students can access learning materials via social media while keeping in

touch with tutors and potential employers easier today than ever before. Consequently, the social

media has enhanced academic and professional development.

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The novelty of social sites in interaction cannot be underestimated. For instance,

Boulianne (532, 533) found that 59% of the youth make new friends online while 89% of users

use the platforms to sustain their relationships. We cannot accrue such benefits without the

superb communication offered by the social media.

Despite the benefits, the social media has significant adverse effects on young people.

Among the failings is misinformation which is evident through false rumors which spread

profligately in public media. Similarly, misleading material so is common that researchers have

linked it with the high prevalence of juvenile delinquency and drug abuse among the youth

(West et al, 6).

Privacy concerns exist in all electronic media ranging from e-commerce to electronic

health records. Most individuals in social media often post their personal information without

taking time to read privacy policies (Vaterlaus et al., 151). The results are disastrous for our

youth, mainly in the current era where data is a scarce resource. For example, posting of photos

has been linked with kidnapping and assault (West et al., 9). The government and businesses

have also used personal data from social media to make decisions in areas such as taxation and

insurance.

To sum up, the effect of social media on young people is a contentious topic, yet the

benefits overshadow its associated challenges. In this light, there is a need for collective efforts

to ensure that our youth can efficiently harness the opportunities in the social media despite the

associated vulnerabilities.

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Works Cited

Boulianne, Shelley. "Social media use and participation: A meta-analysis of current

research." Information, Communication & Society 18.5 (2015): 524-538.

Vaterlaus, J. Mitchell, et al. "The perceived influence of social media on young adult health

behaviors." Computers in Human Behavior 45 (2015): 151-157.

West, Lindsay A., et al. "Opposing Viewpoints on Youth Social Media Banning in the US for the

Combatance of Extremist Recruiting: Constitutionality and Societal

Implications." International Journal of Cyber Warfare and Terrorism (IJCWT) 6.4

(2016): 1-12.

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