Nowadays, Internet has become firmly established in the life of the society as a global information system. Being present in practically every home, Internet has considerably expanded the opportunities in the process of information search and exchange, communication between people, especially the so-called social networking sites or social media, which are very popular among people of all ages, especially among children and teenagers. Communication plays an important role for the development of the individual at each age stage, but for young people communication and interpersonal relations are a vital factor in the formation of their personality. The special role of communication for young people can be explained by the fact that during this life period there is a change of social relations, as well as the development of new social roles occurs (a student, a worker, a family man), partnerships strengthen, the nature of personal relationships changes, an intimate, emotionally saturated bonds are established. Serious problems, experienced by teenagers in communication and interpersonal interaction lead to violations of their adaptation in society.
Today, the emergence of a new sphere of dialogue - virtual led to the fact that an increasing number of young people replaces communication with real people by communication with virtual interlocutors. Social networking sites help young people in self presentation, as introducing himself to a virtual companion, a young person may, for example, create the ideal image. Social media indulge the human desire to look in a better light and allow to represent anybody most favorably. It is possible to anyone to share their joys and sorrows, to discuss their successes and failures by means of social media, but despite the fact that social networks allow unlimited communication and blur the boundaries of intercourse, there is a gradual replacement of real communication by a virtual. Sometimes, while meeting, people have nothing to talk about, because all the news has been already highlighted on their pages in a social network; so there is no need to meet, to show photos and share impressions about some important events in life. More and more people, including the young, become hostages of social networks, and this leads to alienation from the outside world, and thus can cause problems in communication with real people.
Among the most commonly used types of social media by young people, is necessary to mention the following, shown in the table, taken from the article "Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Behavioral Health in California":
However, Internet as a global information system that forms the cyberspace, being unique reality, and social media, as its integral part generates cyber culture with its values, concepts, language, and way of thinking and is one of the most important components of the informational society development. The ambiguity of social networks influence on the young generation arises great interest to the study of this issue. This is a very serious issue that splits up the public opinion, as some people suppose social media to be an exceptional phenomenon, while others are worried about the potential danger it may carry and a critical impact on the young people’s lives. It is very important to analyze all advantages and risks, which the enhancing of communication and social connections on-line for teenagers and young people contain. There are several important factors that it is necessary to discuss, talking about pros and cons of social networks and their impact on adolescents, namely: increasing of creativity and self-development of youth, health and wellness, anonymity and easiness of communication in social networks, better opportunity for learning process enhancement of children and teenagers, as well as negative impacts on adolescent’s mental and physical health: the possible privacy issues violation of teens, sexual solicitation exposure, cyber bullying, obscene stuff and child pornography, texting-sexting, and many other adverse things, existing in social media environment.
The table from a recent research, taken from the article "Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Behavioral Health in California" and concerning what children and teenagers are doing on-line more often, depicts the basic aspects of their activity:
Thus, it is possible to remark that on-line activity of young people seems to be very decent and positive and speaking in support of social media, it is possible to remember that they managed to remove all interaction and communication barriers; teenagers can freely discuss their thoughts, ideas and comprehension on a variety of themes. Social media also produce a healthy influence on children and young people, as a stress handling means. According to the recent research, there is a direct link between communication on-line, sharing stresses and emotions with other members of internet community and teenager’s mental health. Discussing existing problems and other important issues for him, young man reduces stress and negative emotions. Social media give teenagers an opportunity to find important information or good advice, which they need, romance or friendship at the same age group. Many teenagers use social media to reply to their health concerns, such as healthy diet and life style, physical and sports activities, alcohol and drug addiction danger. It is easy to find answers to various health issues here, which teenagers express difficulty to discuss with their peers and parents, such as drug addiction, sexual health, or contraception.
On the other hand, there always is a chance that teenager’s add can attract scammers, dishonest cheaters, or people possessing sexual disorders, who can make use of the information for their own selfish goals and purposes, take advantage of children, abuse or threaten them. Cyber bullying has appeared to be a serious problem in the contemporary world, as “some people can take advantage of the issue, due to abuse or bullying being done behind a computer screen” (Boyd, Ellison). Despite the circumstance that for a long time “a fight for children and adolescents protection from involvement into pornography and prostitution is being conducted, the essential risks of social media, concerning teenagers still exist” (Marshall, 335). The main risks, influencing both physical and mental health of teenagers are: possibility of sexual solicitation on-line, cyber bullying, dissemination of various types of indecent information, the privacy issues violation of teenagers, texting-sexting, improper presentation of colored girls, and other negative moments. The main dangers that teens meet in social media are identical to those that take place with them in real life. Thus, the possibility of risk for the usage of diverse kinds of social media relies on the teen’s psychological portrait and the environment he lives in. It is must be taken into account that “teens most at risk on-line are often involved in risky behaviors offline and also have troubles in other parts of their lives” (Berkman). It is wonderful that social networks provide young people with an opportunity to make friends on-line, discuss all important themes for them, look for all necessary data and advice, they may be still subjected to sexual abuse, threatening or humiliation on the basis of their sexual orientation or sexuality.
In accordance with the latest studies, about “70 percent of girls had on-line negative sexual experience or were subjected to sexual solicitation on social sites and 23 percent of children were threatened or abused by a peer on the sexual ground” (Carrol, Kirkpatric, 42). The depiction of colored girls in the social media is not very appropriate either, as it is based on the opinion that the sexuality of girls of color is “so potent that they should be necessary sexualized” (Friedman and Valenti, 135). This complicated question of seduction, agreement, sexuality and its suppression springs to mind during reading about the debates on rape trials of black women online. The society can be biased in the most cases and girls are often charged with being guilty of rapes themselves. The focus of public opinion lies on their racial sexuality and belonging than on the rape itself, as if African American or Latino girls deserve it and are to be accused of it.
Another serious issue that social media applying creates is a risk for emotive stress from being threatened, harassed, or humiliated on the sexual grounds in the communication process with other teens, called cyber bullying. The latest research says that “it has shown to create higher levels of depression and anxiety for victims than traditional bullying and has also been connected with numerous suicide cases with teens, who were immersed in reading hurtful comments some time before their suicide attempts” (Carrol, Kirkpatric, 15). The risk group for cyber bullying includes transgender (LGBT), lesbian, gay, bisexual, and “allied youth that belongs to openly supportive of LGBT youth people”, as “54 percent of such young people reported being cyber bullied during the recent 30 days” (Carrol, Kirkpatric, 14). Girls are one more numerous group, subjected to cyber bullying, as 21 percent of young females report it. The victims of sexual harassment and their offenders in social networks are more probably to become delinquents, as teenagers most at certain risk for cyber bullying are regularly those having risk of hurts in real life, such as “teens that have experienced sexual or physical abuse, living in not wealthy home environments” (Berkman).
Many teenagers communicate by means of text messaging correctly and responsibly, but this is so extremely powerful private communication tool that can be also used irresponsibly. Teenagers cannot see another teen’s reaction, sending texts, so they cannot fully comprehend what the result will be. Over a “a half of cell phone owners- teens reported regret relatively a text message they sent” (Carrol, Kirkpatric, 35). Text messages can be used to bully or humiliate teenagers, as shameful or embarrassing photo or video can be easily uploaded and send from a laptop or cell phone to any social media site that shares video, as, for example, YouTube. Sexting, which is a type of sending texts of sexual explicit, containing seductive nude images, is known to be “a delinquency for children aged under 18, although 20 percent of this category reported they have posted or sent nude or semi-nude photos and videos of themselves” (Carrol, Kirkpatric, 29). The victims of sexting may experience heavy emotional distress followed by the decline of mental health and those, who did it can be expelled from school for such deed. Only 4 percent of teenagers, age12-14 claim they sent such kind of messages, but already 20 percent of young people, aged 14-19 report that they have sent nude photos or abusive messages to their peers.
If to return back to positive impact of social media on teenagers and young people, it is necessary to underline that online youth is looking for new subcultures and new acquaintances, trying to acquire a sense of belonging to a definite group. In the process of finding a congenial personality, young people enter in a variety of relationships, they can talk to virtually unlimited number of interest groups and people, with various kinds of personalities, learn a lot of stories, and receive the possibility to exchange views and discuss their questions. Teenagers find fellows possessing identical hobbies (dancing, music and sport activities, or diverse handicrafts). It can be very significant for those teenagers, who are shy and reserved to become a member of such communities in reality, as it is much easier to express their feelings and thoughts, to share views on favorite music groups and songs, sports shows and movies, to post photos, when others talk to them only on-line, not personally. “The equality of all young people, who use social networks, makes a positive influence on modern society, as nobody knows his work position, social status in the society, salary, race or religious views and all people have the right to talk and express their thoughts on the equal basis” (Boyd, Ellison). Teenagers are referred by their mental ability and other skills more than their social status, race or wealth. One of the biggest advantages of social media is that there are a lot of teens involved in these communities, and they can find here almost any person they want: a former friend or classmate, some distant relative or simply interesting personality. It also gives possibility to keep in touch with family and friends on regular basis, travelling or studying in another city.
The main danger of such kind of leisure for young people is that it requires as much time as could be spent with close friends, family, communication and personal life, theatrical or sports activities, and it is obvious that it steadily becomes a definite form of internet addiction. Sitting all time at computer does not add health to teens and may result in serious back and spine issues of the growing bodies. Later the lack of sleep and internet addiction comes on, which is followed by serious health issues, such as depression, obsessive states, anxiety or even suicide. A child may require some medical help, but it is often very hard for parents to understand in due time if their child has become a cyber-victim. It is a well-known fact that internet has become a large part of present reality, but it not the best solution for teenagers to spend all free time, chatting on-line. It is much healthier to spend time in the fresh air, playing some sports games or jogging.
Among other positive aspects of social media is possible to mention, its impact on the entire process of study and academic performance of teenagers and youth. It is necessary to argue that “social networks can be applied as a tool for creativity and self-development; they ensure the possibility to use a large amount of data to develop and improve” (Paul, Baker and Cochran, 217). Using social media is possible to watch educational movies, listen to classical music, read books and scientific articles, learn foreign languages. There are diverse groups on interest in internet, where teenagers can find all useful information for their development, such as videos with fitness activities, musical instrument lessons, or handicraft techniques. The negative side of it can be possibility of copyrights violation, as social media provides access to any record, information or movie in internet. The social media can be a business platform too, where a teenager can promote the development of his online store, web design studio, or heavy-metal rock school. Social media can aim promotion at certain target audience, and everybody interested in this question young people will receive a possibility to learn about this kind of business or service. The social media are helpful for the schooling process. It is stressed that “social media can be applied to share laboratory work assignments, necessary literature, lecture notes, and other useful information” (Paul, Baker and Cochran, 220). Teenagers join various communities and learn the questions on history, math, and science, or enhance their foreign languages knowledge. Students can find the necessary links to literature, films and photos; they can discuss diverse scientific issues with other group members. There is also a probability that some unscrupulous fellows may plagiarize and present other people’s thoughts instead of their own that may create a negative impact on the educational process, but their instructors can notice it, using social media too.
In conclusion, it is necessary to stress that social media are playing the crucial role in the modern society, especially among teenagers and young people. Today most people cannot imagine their lives without social networks and on-line communication. Social networks completely covered the entire world with their webs and the phrase "add to friends" has become one of the most popular. Social media have no age or professional restrictions. People of all professions (bankers, teachers, heads of big companies and students), social layers and ages are constantly communicating with their friends, relatives, or simply strangers. Social media have many obvious advantages and strong sides, such as development of creativity and various professional skills, promotion of wellness and healthy life-style, anonymity and easiness of communication, opportunity for the improvement of schooling process and academic performance and many others. However, it may cause serious problems with teen’s security and moral health, as social media may pose a certain danger to them, such as cyber bullying, sexual abuse, privacy issues violation, sexual solicitation and others.
Works Cited
Berkman Center for Internet and Society. “Enhancing Safety and Online Technologies: Final Report of the Internet Safety Task Force to the Multi-State Working Group on Social Networking for the State Attorneys General of the United States”. Retrieved on May 30, 2011 from website: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/sites/cyber.law.harvard.edu/files/ISTTF_Final_Report.pdf
Boyd, Danah, and Ellison, Nicole. "Social Network Sites: Definition, History, And Scholarship". IEEE Engineering Management Review 38.3 (2010).
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