Generation Disconnect: Negative Impacts of Social Media (Essay Sample)

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Generation Disconnect
In the current society, social networking has rampantly increased as a result of advancement in technology. The emergence of smartphones is linked to the heavy use and addiction of individuals to social networks. These platforms provide a base over which one can connect and share with friends globally. Human beings are social animals and tend to use these sites to satisfy their psychological needs. The focus of media message thus, is to show how social media has impacted people both positively and negatively. Additionally, various ways through which individuals can use the time they spend in surfing social sites constructively. The idea of the current generation disconnecting from social sites and reconnecting to reality is brought out.
Social networking sites are platforms that offer services based on the web permitting individuals to create a semi-public or public profile restricted within a comprehensive system and articulating a list of other people (Lenhart, Amanda, et al., 340). The networks allow users to view, traverse and share a connection with other individuals connected to the platforms. Social networks offer users valid options of interacting with each other globally.
POSITIVE IMPACTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Social networks have been transformed into integral constituents of learner’s social life. Various individuals and companies use this sites to market their products online (O'Keeffe, Gwenn, and Kathleen, 800). Lenhart, Amanda, et al. argue that these sites are used to enhance communication especially in the learning environment and the society at large (345). Students use these sites to relate and interact with their peers and at times their instructors. These networks are thus of vital importance in a student life. Various communities use social platforms as learning tools through engagement (347). Learning institutions applies these sites to compliment content learned in the normal classroom setting. According to O'Keeffe, Gwenn, and Kathleen, social networks have been effectively used to better student performance and life in general (802).
Online community participation among individuals has substantial positive impacts on students, educators and the society at large. Communication in written form, especially in cyberspace, permits students to discuss academic-related materials at the time of their convenience (Lenhart, Amanda, et al. 350). This enables them to articulate their ideas in a structured comprehensive way thus bettering academic performance by grasping the required learning content. Internet -based discussions have the capacity of contributing to the enhancement of the individual ability to reflect and think critically (O'Keeffe, Gwenn, and Kathleen 803).
NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA
The social media has affected student’s performance negatively (804). Learners use social media to connect with friends and the community as well both inside and outside the environs of learning. The rapidly advancing rate of use of social networks by college students is developing concerns among educators, parents, and social leaders (Lenhart, Amanda, et al. 360). These concerns are linked to the academic performance of students quantified by grade point average (GPAs) and the overall social life of the students. Social media has been used maliciously to spread messages of hatred, and dislike of an individual, a company, or even the government (365).
These sites have been used negatively in spreading pornographic materials among the young people (O'Keeffe, Gwenn, and Kathleen, 804). Facebook has the potential to impact student academic progress negatively (Lenhart, Amanda, et al. 361). Facebook fans spend minimal time per day reading contrary to performing other constructive activities in comparison to the nonusers of this platform. On an average basis, students addicted to Facebook spend over forty-five hours per week surfing the internet and less than thirty hours in personal studies and other constructive undertakings (O'Keeffe, Gwenn, and Kathleen 803).
Constant use of social media platforms especially in the learning environment present challenges such as grammatical mistakes, spelling errors, and high addiction rate which distracts them from their normal chores (Lenhart, Amanda, et al. 389).
ALTERNATIVES TO SOCIAL MEDIA SURFING
Individuals can alternatively use the time spent in surfing the internet in various ways such as reading novels, plays done by Shakespeare’s and other artists. This can greatly enhance an individual creativity and mastery of Literature concepts (BuzzFeed. N.p., n.d.). Other leisure activities such watching film, golfing, biking, and playing musical instruments can be practiced since they offer emotional experience and pleasure which cannot be obtained from browsing social sites (BuzzFeed. N.p., n.d.).
INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DISCONNECTED FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
Constant social media use have not been of any benefit to some individuals (Lenhart, Amanda, et al. 389). For instance, Essaana O’ Neill realized the important things sh...