Introduction
The use of social media enables the American and the global society to communicate through social networking. Additionally, individuals have been able to actively participate in different activities relating to their lives such as leadership. Various internet platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have significantly contributed to the capacity of individuals to make effective communications with the social world (Ore 12). However, the use of social media has caused various problems to the American and the global society as a whole. This paper will focus on the discussion of some of the common and potential problems that are currently and have the potential to affect the American and global society due to the use of social media.
Explanation of major problems social media has caused to the current American society
Social media has exposed the American society to different problems due to its negative influence on various groups. The existence of numerous channels of social media has contributed to some social issues that have negatively transformed the American society. Some of these problems include:
Addiction
Research has indicated that more than 60% of Americans must log on to different social media platforms daily where about 40% log on more than once per day (Sawyer and Guo 46). Myriad reasons such as the need to relieve distraction and boredom have been put forward as explanations to use social media. However, people spend more time posting information and making comments, resulting in some addictive behavior that makes it difficult to stop.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying has increasingly become a major concern among the American society. Studies have revealed that some politicians use the social media to propagate discrimination against some social groups, particularly some minority groups. Social marginalization and the profiling of some communities have also increased as a result of the use of social media (Ellison, Cliff, and Charles 7). The dissemination of hate speeches and political incitements that have the potential to cause civil wars has been increased by the use of social media (Sawyer and Guo 51). Criminals who commit cyberbullying tend to conceal their identities, which they use to terrorize people (Ore 14). Studies have revealed that more than 20% of adolescents have been involved in cyberbullying as victims or bully (Ellison, Cliff, and Charles 8). A study conducted by children organization in Britain revealed that in four children, one reports being bullied through social media (Ahn1436). Additionally, various cases of suicides, death, and other emotional issues are linked to the use of social media. Thus, social media increases the risk exposure to emotional problems that lead to death. This constitutes a serious threat to the future of the American society.
Social media threatens the future of teens and adolescents
Studies have found that the use of different social media channels increases pressure among the teens and adolescents to engage in activities that can harm their future. Some health researchers found that young people are likely to damage their sleep and increase the risk of suffering from some anxiety disorders by extending their engagement with the social media (Ahn 1439). Teens and adolescents at schooling age want to spend most of their time in social media and dedicate less time to constructive activities like studies. As such the realization of their career objectives is jeopardized by the increased emotional investment in the social media.
Glamorization of drug and alcohol use
Along the impact of the social media on the future of teens and adolescent is its potential to glamorize alcohol and drug use. A study involving the exploration of the correlation between teenagers, drug use, and social media indicated that over 70% of teens aged between 12 and 17 years are using social media in the current American society (Ahn 1435). The same studies revealed that teens who interact through the social media have greater chances of engaging in tobacco and alcohol use. Some of the teens get exposed to individuals who have used drugs in the social media while others influence each other through the same channels (Ahn 1435). Thus, social media increases the level of peer pressure to which teens are exposed.
Social media inculcates criminal activities
The use of social media has been associated with increased criminal activities. Irresponsible and malicious people make the use of social media to execute some malicious activities that cause significant harm to the society. Most criminals take advantage of the availability of social media to commit different crimes such as human trafficking, cyber terrorism, and cyber bullying (Ore 13. Social media poses a serious terrorism problem to American and the global society. Over the last few decades, various incidents of terrorism have occurred in the US. Terrorists use the social media to gather information, fundraising, conducting the recruitment of members, and various propaganda schemes (Ahn 1445). Research on the relationship between social media and terrorism has indicated that most terrorist groups have migrated to cyberspace through websites development to facilitate their operations. Social media has become a useful tool that promotes terrorism among other criminal activities that have detrimental impacts on the American and global society (Baker 73).
How I would rank social media problems among the current social media issues facing the society today
The use of social media has various negative social outcomes that impact the American society. Different social, emotional, and health issues caused by other factors are propagated through the use of social media. Dangerous activities such terrorism, social discrimination, and drug abuse are propagated through social media even if they emanate from other factors (Ore 15). Thus, social media problems would be ranked high among the current and potential problems threatening the American society since it embodies most of the social issues affecting society.
Whether social media problem impact a specific group or demographic of the American public
Studies have revealed that social media is used by over 70% of the American society. Among this population are teens, who have become addicts of the social media (Ahn 1436). Therefore, the impact of the problems associated with the use of different social media channels do not fall on a specific group but the entire American society. The criminal activities facilitated by the social media such as cyber bullying and terrorism do not affect a particular social group. Additionally, social problems affecting teens and adolescents as a result of social media have severe impacts on the future of entire demographic of the American society.
Possible social issues that can still be caused by social media currently and whether this is just an American issue
Currently, the American leadership is under transition. When leadership in transition, people have tension because they don’t know how the new leadership will be (Baker 74). The newly elected president may implement policies that may not favor some of the communities, which may lead to the emergence of opposing groups demanding some political consensus with the new administration. Since social has increasingly become useful in the dissemination of information, there may be increased civil engagement and participation in the new leadership. One of the possible social consequences of increased civil participation is the identification and marginalization of some groups that criticize some government policies through social media. Increased distribution of material with social harm is another potential impact of the social media on the current society (Sawyer and Guo 83). Since technology has transformed the world into a global village, the social effects of the use of social media are not American issues but are global concerns.
Whether there are any particular social movements, organizations, or groups of concerned people trying to curb these internet issues
Different organizations and interest groups have emerged to address different social issues related to the use of social media. For example, an organization like Enough is Enough seeks to maintain internet safety by ensuring that materials distributed through social media do not cause social harm on the society (Ellison, Cliff, and Charles 9). Some government institutions like criminal investigation departments are mandated to monitor how individuals use social media in order to control negative social influences caused by social media.
Conclusion
Social media has numerous benefits including allowing unrestricted information flow that adds knowledge to the global society. Social media impacts our cultural, economic, and social life through increased global interactions. However, the use of social media is associated with various social issues that do impact not only the American society but also the global society. Most of the social issues influencing the modern world are linked to social media due to global advancements in technology. Therefore, different governmental and non-governmental organizations that deal with internet safety should be empowered to enhance their capacity to deal with potentially harmful issues related to social media.
Works Cited
Ahn, June. "The effect of social network sites on adolescents' social and academic development: Current theories and controversies." Journal of the American Society for information Science and Technology 62.8 (2011): 1435-1445. Print
Baker, Megan. "The Impact of Social Networking Sites on Politics." The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research 10.1 (2013): 72-74. Print
Ellison, Nicole. Cliff Lampe, and Charles Steinfield. "Feature social network sites and society: current trends and future possibilities." interactions 16.1 (2009): 6-9.Print
Ore, Tracy. The Social Construction of Difference and Inequality: Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality. 4th ed., Boston, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 1 Apr. 2008.Print
Sawyer, Rebecca, and Guo-Ming. "The impact of social media on intercultural adaptation." (2012). Web
