By Julia Smith, General Member
The way we communicate and share information has changed drastically with the addition of social media. Billions of people around the world access news via social media and can be accessed in real time. Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter allow anyone to contribute and comment on the news without sources being vetted. Social media shapes our interactions; it allows anyone to have a voice, comment, and share news in real time. It gives media outlets more avenues to share their stories and can also be extremely dangerous, as misinformation can spread rapidly.
There are pros and cons to social media. Social media news platforms have created a situation where all citizens can be journalists. Social media has allowed people to broadcast direct, first-person accounts of events, without going through a proper, credible news organization. This can be especially powerful in places where individual voices are oppressed, filtered, or simply not represented. At the same time, anyone can build a website or post any information, thus making some content creators unreliable sources of information. Before social media, we trusted the news reporters on TV and journalists in the papers, but it’s now really hard to vet reputable sources.
Social media allows individuals who want to have a voice in the news to have one. This can bring together people who might share the same views, because youth tend to make friends and follow others who believe the same things they do; this might hinder them from exploring other viewpoints. This has the potential to create situations where people surround themselves virtually with only others who agree with their ideas, which can divide us. It can also create stress because young people might also be worried about not following or liking a friend's comment, which causes peer pressure to accept others' views, even if they don’t agree. While adding a social element to news has undoubtedly engaged more young people in current events, it also creates divisions, increases the spread of false information, and allows people to avoid opposing points of views by remaining inside a social circle of like-minded friends.
Sharing makes social media fun. It exposes one to more content, and young people can see what their friends think. It allows people to communicate with each other, build a network of friends, provides a medium to offer support, and for self expression too. Hearing about news globally also provides exposure to cultures, people and events across the world that one might not ordinarily see, thus connecting people across the globe with like-minded interests. Social media enables us to hear about current events while they're happening. When tragedies or natural disasters occur, friends and family can check themselves as "safe" so you don't have to worry about them. These are all pros about social media news platforms.
Unfortunately, social media also takes away from the personal elements of face to face communication, as one can’t see body language or pick up on social cues and gestures. Whether it be a news story or the latest fashion trend, social media has created a horrific situation in which young people can have an unrealistic view of what's normal. Normal body weight, normal lifestyle, and fake news on various platforms can also cause undue stress and confusion for youth. Kids need to have much better skills in being able to discern what is real and what is fake.
Youth also feel pressured to post their own lives, and their feelings fluctuate based on how many likes they receive (external validation), which is detrimental to one’s long term self esteem. The need for a social media fix becomes addictive and takes away from in person socialization, can disrupt sleep and affect school work. Sharing is also so easy to do; just a click of a button. Unfortunately, people don't explore the factual accuracy of what they share. Lots of youth who have shared news through social media say that they later found out a story they shared was fake. This immediacy can be a con and often leads to stories being reported before all the facts are known.
When kids are younger, it's usually the parents who set boundaries around the use of social media apps, internet usage and streaming devices in general, but what happens as youth become older? Teens need to learn how to set their own boundaries. The internet, mobile phones, and social media can provide platforms for illicit and risky behaviors . One of the riskiest effects of unsupervised social media use is relationships with adults much older, who may be predators. Teens who share too much personal information can make themselves a target for fraud or theft. It’s really important to set limits and boundaries and follow them to keep yourself safe.
Here are a few simple things to keep in mind. Studies have shown that excessive social media use can lead to attention problems, difficulties in school, lack of sleep and eating disorders. A good rule of thumb is one or two hours a day. Youth should also try and choose high-quality content that is age-appropriate. Asking parents for supervision can also help prevent or address cyberbullying. Another important thing to do is to take breaks. Our brains tend to work better after being allowed to shut down, rest and reset. Feeling constantly connected is not good. Having some designated “no social media” times during your day and changing your settings to put limits on your apps is a helpful strategy to help create boundaries.
I hope you can implement some of these suggestions into your everyday life.