Why Is Social Media Good? Unveiling the Positive Impacts of Social Platforms

Multitasking has become the norm in our modern lives, and it’s remarkable how effectively we juggle numerous responsibilities. Smartphones have become indispensable tools for managing work, education, personal connections, and social interactions. It’s hard to imagine leaving home without a phone and continuing with our day uninterrupted. The internet, along with social media, has woven itself into the fabric of our daily routines, profoundly influencing today’s generation, especially teenagers.

Social media adoption has seen exponential growth. In 2005, during its nascent stages, only around 5% of individuals in the United States engaged with social media platforms. However, by 2019, this figure had surged to approximately 70%. Like most powerful tools, social media presents a spectrum of effects: positives, cautionary aspects, and potential dangers that can significantly impact lives, particularly those of young people.

Pros: Exploring the Advantages of Social Media

Social media and technology bring undeniable convenience and enhanced connectivity to our lives:

Global Connection: Staying in touch with family and friends across geographical boundaries has never been easier. Platforms like email, text messaging, and video conferencing (FaceTime) bridge distances and foster relationships, regardless of location.
Instant Information Access: Social media platforms and the internet provide rapid access to a wealth of information and research materials. Whether it’s for academic pursuits, professional development, or personal curiosity, answers are readily available at our fingertips.
Streamlined Convenience: Many essential tasks are simplified through social media and online platforms. Banking, bill payments, and various transactions can be managed efficiently from virtually anywhere, saving time and effort.
Educational and Skill-Building Opportunities: Online learning platforms, job skills training resources, and content discovery channels like YouTube are readily accessible through social media. This democratization of knowledge empowers individuals to learn new skills and expand their horizons.
Civic Engagement and Voice: Social media facilitates involvement in civic activities, enabling fundraising initiatives, raising social awareness about important causes, and providing a platform for individuals to express their opinions and contribute to public discourse.
Powerful Marketing Tools: For businesses and organizations, social media offers invaluable marketing tools to reach target audiences, build brand awareness, and engage with customers effectively.
Remote Work Opportunities: Social media and related technologies have fueled the rise of remote employment, offering flexible work arrangements and expanding job opportunities beyond geographical limitations.

Social media, at its core, offers numerous benefits. However, it’s crucial for everyone, especially teenagers, to be mindful and trust their instincts. If anything encountered online feels unsettling, it’s important to speak up and seek guidance from a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, or counselor. Experiences like bullying, threats, or cruelty on social media are serious issues, and individuals engaging in such behavior often require help themselves.

Cons: Acknowledging the Challenges of Social Media

Alongside the advantages, social media also presents potential challenges that need to be considered.

Blurring Lines Between Online and Reality: The issue isn’t social media itself, but rather how it can sometimes replace genuine communication and face-to-face interactions. Online “friends” may not translate to real-life friendships and could even be unknown individuals.
Potential for Increased Usage and Negative Impacts: Excessive time spent on social media can contribute to negative experiences such as cyberbullying, social anxiety, depression, and exposure to inappropriate content.
Addictive Nature of Social Media: Social media platforms are designed to be engaging and can be inherently addictive. The reward system of likes, comments, and notifications triggers dopamine release in the brain, creating a cycle of seeking validation and engagement. Social media is replete with experiences designed to modify mood and encourage continued use.
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): FOMO is a prevalent phenomenon linked to social media, driving individuals to constantly check platforms for updates, fearing they might miss out on something important or exciting. This constant connectivity can negatively affect mental well-being.
Self-Image and Body Image Concerns: Social media platforms often emphasize visual presentation and create opportunities for social comparison. This can lead to body image issues and self-esteem problems, especially for individuals who heavily rely on social media validation. Those who are overly focused on “selfies” and constant scrolling are particularly vulnerable to these issues. Studies indicate that college-aged women who frequently use platforms like Facebook may be more likely to tie their self-worth to their physical appearance. Social media acts as a medium that can amplify existing societal pressures related to appearance and contribute to these concerns.

Social Media and Bullying: The Darker Side of Connection

Unfortunately, technology’s advancements also have a darker side. Bullying, an age-old problem, has taken on a new dimension with social media and technology, evolving into the pervasive threat of cyberbullying. Rhode Island’s anti-bullying laws define both bullying and cyberbullying to provide legal context and protection:

“Bullying” is defined as when one or more students engage in written, verbal, or electronic communication, physical acts, or gestures directed at another student, resulting in:

Physical or emotional harm to the student or damage to their property.
Placing the student in reasonable fear of personal harm or property damage.
Creating an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or abusive educational environment.
Infringing upon the student’s rights to participate in school activities.
Materially and substantially disrupting the educational process or school operations.

“Cyberbullying” is defined as bullying that occurs through the use of technology or electronic communication. This encompasses the transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, text messages, or any form of intelligence transmitted via wired, wireless, electromagnetic, photoelectronic, or photo-optical systems. This includes, but is not limited to, email, internet communications, instant messages, and fax communications.

Bullying Statistics: A Stark Reality

Alarmingly, a child is bullied every 7 minutes. Intervention is infrequent, with adults intervening in only 4% of cases and peers in 11%. A staggering 85% of bullying incidents go unaddressed.

Data from StopBullying.org highlights the prevalence of bullying and cyberbullying:

One in four teenagers (25%) experiences bullying, and up to 43% have been cyberbullied online.
9 out of 10 LGBTQ students face harassment both at school and online. Biracial and multiracial youth are more susceptible to victimization compared to those identifying with a single race. Children who are obese, gay, or have disabilities are also at a higher risk of being bullied.
58% of young people do not disclose to parents or adults when something mean or hurtful happens to them online.
An estimated 5.4 million children avoid school on any given day due to fear of bullying.

Social Media and Suicide: A Grave Concern

The negative aspects of social media can have a profound impact on young individuals’ mental health. Suicide remains a leading cause of death for children under the age of 14. Tragically, hanging is the most common method of suicide in this age group.

According to the American Association of Suicidology, suicide rates among children aged 10 to 14 have increased by over 50% in the past three decades.
While still relatively low, suicide rates among children between 10 and 14 are showing an upward trend, as reported by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

What Can Parents Do? Guiding Children in the Digital World

Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s online experiences and overall well-being. Here are actionable steps parents can take:

Lead by Example: Model the online behavior you want to see in your children. Be mindful of your own social media usage and demonstrate responsible online interactions.
Establish Clear Boundaries Early: When giving a child their first phone, set clear rules and boundaries from the outset. Implement parental controls on devices and maintain access to passwords. Designate a charging location outside bedrooms at night and encourage shutting off devices an hour or two before bedtime.
Open Communication about Privacy: Engage in conversations with children about the importance of online privacy and what information should be kept private.
Prioritize Face-to-Face Interaction: Actively spend quality time engaging with children in person. This interaction is vital for developing social cues, both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Engage in Phone-Free Conversations: When talking to children, give them your undivided attention without distractions from your phone.
Seek Genuine Conversations: Find opportunities for meaningful conversations that go beyond lectures and foster open communication.
Stay Informed about Privacy and Cybersecurity: Be aware of online privacy concerns and cybersecurity issues. Educate yourself and your children about online safety practices.

Technology has fundamentally altered how we live, work, and socialize. However, it’s crucial to remember that technology cannot replace the essential role of parenting.

For further parenting advice and resources, visit the Grow section of the Be Well health and wellness blog.