1. Introduction
Negative effects of social media addiction have been under discussion for the
last few years. Social media can be seen
as the interactive computer-mediated platforms that help create and share
ideas, information, career interests, or other types of expressions through
virtual networks and communities. Content generated by social media including
text posts, videos, digital photos, comments, and other data created through online
interaction is social media’s lifeblood. Such platforms facilitate the creation
of online social communities and connect the users’ profile with that of other
groups or individuals (Obar & Wildman, 2015).
Facebook, Renren, Google+, Twitter, Snapchat, WhatsApp, YouTube, and
flick, etc. are a few examples of social media platforms. Social media is a
useful tool that has provided communities with enhanced connectivity. People
can connect with each other in all parts of the world. Businesses have got more
opportunities to understand consumer needs. Students have more chances to share
their knowledge as social media enables them to exchange their ideas and learn
new things.
But the excess of everything can be dangerous. One of the experimental studies
observed that social media overuse among the youth, of the age group of 16
years to 25 years, has increased. About 55% of the enhanced addiction cases
were found in the youngsters of the age group of 16 years to 20 years (Singh, Amiri & Sabbarwal, 2017). This
article argues that despite the positive aspects of social media, its overuse
can be very harmful and can have many harmful effects.
2. Discussion
As social media are technologies that facilitate the creation and
sharing of ideas online, these must be used for communication in a balanced
way. People can use social media platforms to keep in touch with their friends,
family members, or colleagues across the globe. But, the overuse of these
technologies can have many social and health problems. Some of the impacts of
the overuse of social media are discussed below.
2.1 Negative Impacts
2.1.1 Productivity Loss and Real-Life Disturbances
Many experts have indicated that using social media platforms for more
than 29 hours a week can be referred to as addictive behaviour (Singh, Amiri & Sabbarwal, 2017). It has
been observed that youngsters are focusing more on social media websites to
spend most of their time. The addictive behavior of these websites often
signifies maladaptive use.
One of the studies analyzed the impacts of the overuse of social media
on the educational performance of students in India. It was found that social
media websites proved to be harmful and non-productive, and could extinct the
youth’s future. The overuse of social media impacted the school grades of
students negatively. The researchers concluded that over-utilization of social
media platforms decreased the users’ productive capacity because of continuous
surfing that in turn affected their grades (Bhargava
& Rani, 2015).
The addictive element of social media platforms is harmful. The
overutilization of these websites makes people unenthusiastic and sluggish to
have real-life interactions with people, especially their families. Although
these websites connect people online through virtual networks, their real-life
is ruined when the use of social media exceeds a certain limit. When someone
gets involved extensively, he or she eventually cuts off from their
surroundings and society. It also results in a time wastage that can otherwise be
utilized for productive activities and tasks (Jain,
2019).
2.1.2 Mental and Physical Health Issues
Social media addiction can have disastrous impacts on the physical and
mental health of the users as well. These impacts can include strain, anxiety,
mental fatigue, and panic-stricken, etc. One of the surveys indicated that
people who overuse social media have high levels of anxiety and they may become
panic-stricken if they stop using social media (Singh,
Amiri & Sabbarwal, 2017). The majority of the victims are youngsters
and they can often have problems like back pain, headache, hand corns, and eye
strain. It was also found that 25% of the people who overuse social media face
high blood pressure problems due to 3D and 2D monitors of various social media
apps.
The usage of these applications for longer periods makes people watch
the screen for longer periods. This affects their physical health. 21% of the
people who abnormally use social media apps face problems related to stomach
and digestion due to lack of adequate sleep and the body's physical movement.
2.1.3 Distorted Body Image
Social media presents people as a perfect figure. People often use
Photoshop to glorify themselves. These edited and enhanced images are found
everywhere on social media, and can result in a distorted body image among
youngsters. Bulimia and Anorexia can be seen as a fall out of these body image
crisis situations (Akram & Kumar, 2017).
2.1.4 Cyber Harassing and Bullying
As per the report of PewCenter,
many youngsters have faced digital bullying in the past few years. Anyone can
make an account with an anonymous identity and do anything without being
traced. Terrorizing messages, dangers, and gossips can be shared with many
people to create uproar and inconvenience among the general public. People who overuse
social media, and join unknown groups and get connected with unknown people may
have to come across intimidation messages, racial slurs, and rumors. These
aspects of social media can create chaos and discomfort in society (Jain, 2019).
2.1.5 Reduced Intellectual Level
The people having more exposure to social media are more likely to
absorb unauthenticated information. The learning level of youngsters also gets
reduced as they rely mostly on the non-academic information and
non-intellectual debates that only guide and inform them in general. Plenty of
general level discussions may reduce the focus and concentration on learning as
well as retaining information. Consistently
checking social media sites while studying or doing any other work reduces the
ability to concentrate on a particular task due to distractions (Jain, 2019).
3. Conclusions and Suggestions
The normal use of social media is beneficial in many ways as it connects
people in all parts of the world. But, the overuse of social media can result
in wastage of productive time, mental and physical health issues, cyberbullying,
distortion of body image, and reduced intellectual level of learners. So, it is
necessary to keep check and balance on your own exposure as well as the
exposure of your dears to social media. Parents should regularly check the
activities of their teenage children on social media to keep them from using
these websites unnecessarily. If the activities of children are observed on the
internet, it can be helpful for the educational performance and learning
purpose of their children (Akram & Kumar,
2017).
Concerned competitive authorities and internet service providers should
also analyze the negative impacts of social media and provide a better and
controlled environment to youngsters. Schools, colleges, and communities should arrange
awareness programs regarding the appropriate use of social media. These training
programs should focus on creating awareness regarding the negative impacts of
social media addiction and encouraging children and adults to get involved in other
healthy activities in order to avoid the unnecessary use of social media.
Sources
Akram, W., & Kumar, R.
(2017). A study on the positive and negative effects of social media on
society. International Journal of Computer Sciences and Engineering, 5(1),
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Bhargava, A., & Rani, M.
(2015). The influence of social media on Indian teenagers. International
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Jain, A. R. D. V. (2019).
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Current Science, 20(5).
Obar, J. A., & Wildman,
S. S. (2015). Social media definition and the governance challenge-an
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Singh, M. M., Amiri, M.,
& Sabbarwal, S. (2017). Social Media Usage Positive and Negative Effects on
the LifeStyle of Indian Youth. Iranian Journal of Social Sciences and
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