From
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Social
networking sites, such as
Facebook and Twitter, are now used by 1 in 4 people worldwide with over three-fourths
of the U.S. population accessing these sites daily, even multiple times per day.
Such frequent activity may seem harmless, but research suggests that social
media has both positive and negative effects on our mental health and overall well-being.
Social media provides a distraction from day-to-day stress in the form of entertainment, such as reading an amusing meme on Facebook or watching an outrageous video on YouTube. This content, particularly when the language is encouraging and empowering can increase happiness, positive thinking and motivate people to share their thoughts and opinions.
The amount of time people spend interacting face-to-face has declined dramatically as electronic media use has increased. Research suggests that increased isolation could alter the way genes work and upset immune responses, hormone levels and the function of arteries. According to psychologist Dr. Aric Sigman, “Interacting ‘in person’ had effects on the body not seen when writing emails”. Levels of hormones such as the 'cuddle chemical' oxytocin, which promotes bonding, altered according to whether people were in close contact or not. “There does seem to be a difference between "real presence" and the virtual variety,” Dr. Sigman added.[6]
Definition and usage
Social
media are computer-mediated technologies
that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual
communities and networks. The
variety of stand-alone and built-in social media services currently available
introduces challenges of definition; however, there are some common features:
- Social media are interactive Web 2.0 Internet-based applications.
- User-generated content, such as text posts or comments, digital photos or videos, and data generated through all online interactions, are the lifeblood of social media.
- Users create service-specific profiles for the website or app that are designed and maintained by the social media organization.
- Social media facilitate the development of online social networks by connecting a user's profile with those of other individuals or groups.
Today around seven-in-ten Americans use social media to connect with one another, engage with news content, share information and entertain themselves. When Pew Research Center began tracking social media adoption in 2005, just 5% of American adults used at least one of these platforms. By 2011 that share had risen to half of all Americans, and today 69% of the public uses some type of social media.[1]
Some of the most popular social media websites are Facebook, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, Tumblr, Twitter, and YouTube. These social media websites have more than 100,000,000 registered users. Facebook continues to be the most widely used social media platform, with 79% of American internet users, 68% of which are adults.[2]
Emotional and psychological impacts
Positive
The main attraction for social media is the ability to connect with people anywhere in the world and share information and content in the form of words, photos and videos. Users feel a sense of community and belonging when using social media, particularly when their connected family and friends have the same beliefs or ideologies, such as religion or lifestyle. Relating to like-minded individuals or those in similar situations, such as battling a life-threatening disease, can help people cope and even overcome the ordeal.Social media provides a distraction from day-to-day stress in the form of entertainment, such as reading an amusing meme on Facebook or watching an outrageous video on YouTube. This content, particularly when the language is encouraging and empowering can increase happiness, positive thinking and motivate people to share their thoughts and opinions.
The concept of participatory culture has evolved as technology continues to enable new avenues for communication, collaboration and circulation of ideas. It has given rise to new opportunities for consumers to create their own content. Social media is participatory media.
Negative
Social media can provoke feelings of inadequacy, anxiety and even jealousy, which can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. For example, a young professional may see a friend of the same age being promoted to a director level role on LinkedIn. This causes the professional to feel inadequate and self-critical since he has been in the same managerial role for over 5 years. Excessive use can leave the social media user lonely, detached and bored. This occurs because they are constantly focused on what is happening elsewhere, preventing them from staying connected in the current face-to-face (F2F) interaction or initiating F2F interactions.
Recent statistics show that 63% of American Facebook users log on to the site daily, while 40% of users log on multiple times a day. This prolonged use of social media can cause stress and other negative emotions and behavior. The issue of cyberbullying is a good example. According to a recent study in the JAMA Pediatrics Journal, 23% of teens report they are or have been the target of cyberbullying. Another 15% admitted to bullying someone else online. The researchers' review of 10 studies that explored the link between social media victimization and depression all showed -- without exception-- a significant correlation. Victims of cyberbullying are almost twice as likely to have attempted suicides compared with adolescents who were not the target of online attacks.[3]
Dr. Shannon M. Rauch, of Benedictine University at Mesa, AZ, “For those who post status updates, the reinforcements keep coming in the form of supportive comments and 'likes.' And of course we know that behaviors that are consistently reinforced will be repeated, so it becomes hard for a person who has developed this habit to simply stop.” This implies that social media is delivering a reinforcement every time a person logs on and therefore supporting addictive behavior.[4]
Recent statistics show that 63% of American Facebook users log on to the site daily, while 40% of users log on multiple times a day. This prolonged use of social media can cause stress and other negative emotions and behavior. The issue of cyberbullying is a good example. According to a recent study in the JAMA Pediatrics Journal, 23% of teens report they are or have been the target of cyberbullying. Another 15% admitted to bullying someone else online. The researchers' review of 10 studies that explored the link between social media victimization and depression all showed -- without exception-- a significant correlation. Victims of cyberbullying are almost twice as likely to have attempted suicides compared with adolescents who were not the target of online attacks.[3]
Dr. Shannon M. Rauch, of Benedictine University at Mesa, AZ, “For those who post status updates, the reinforcements keep coming in the form of supportive comments and 'likes.' And of course we know that behaviors that are consistently reinforced will be repeated, so it becomes hard for a person who has developed this habit to simply stop.” This implies that social media is delivering a reinforcement every time a person logs on and therefore supporting addictive behavior.[4]
Physical and biological impacts
Positive
A new study at the University of Pennsylvania, led by professor Damon Centola, reveal that positive behavior signals are also powerful in online networks. The research suggests that social media encourages good physical behavior such as exercise, promotion of vaccinations, medical compliance and preventative care.[5] For example, when a woman posts on Facebook that she detected breast cancer early by having a mammogram at age 40, her connected friends among the same demographic are likely to follow suit.
New experiments building on these findings are currently underway to explore why social networks are so effective for increasing participation. Centola and his team are testing whether people are better motivated by competition or by friendly social support. The answer has implications for the entire field of organizations using social tools to help people lose weight, stop smoking, and live healthier lives.[5]
Negative
The amount of time people spend interacting face-to-face has declined dramatically as electronic media use has increased. Research suggests that increased isolation could alter the way genes work and upset immune responses, hormone levels and the function of arteries. According to psychologist Dr. Aric Sigman, “Interacting ‘in person’ had effects on the body not seen when writing emails”. Levels of hormones such as the 'cuddle chemical' oxytocin, which promotes bonding, altered according to whether people were in close contact or not. “There does seem to be a difference between "real presence" and the virtual variety,” Dr. Sigman added.[6]
Social media addiction can also cause weight gain and the adoption of poor eating habits due to the prolonged use and decreased body movement. It also been attributed to poor posture and blood circulation, as well as eye strain and carpel tunnel. There are people attached to trolling or arguing about everything from politics to sports. If interacting on social media causes stress, it inherently has some negative impacts on your physical health.
See also
References
- Pew Research Center. (2017). Social Media Fact Sheet. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- Lister, M. (2016). 40 Essential Social Media Marketing Statistics for 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
- Ring, M., Dr. (2015). Teen depression and how social media can help or hurt. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- Whiteman, H. (2015). Social media: how does it affect our mental health and well-being?. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- University of Pennsylvania Annenberg School for Communication. (2015, October 7). Social networks can motivate people to exercise more: Compared to motivational messaging, the social influence of online peers proved more effective in improving exercise habits. ScienceDaily. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
- Daily Mail Reporter. (2009). How using Facebook could raise your risk of cancer. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
This is an incredibly well researched and well written piece. I enjoyed reading through it. You focus is clear and because of that, this piece really stands out and feels like a real Wikipedia article.
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