Effects of Social Media

Brianna Bradley
September 28, 2016

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Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, and Beyonce may have the most followed Instagram accounts, but now teenagers in high school are dedicated to their feed as much as famous celebrities are. Social media plays a major role in our lives and majorly influences us as humans.

In the 21st century, teens are affected by all forms of communication on the Internet. A report held by Common Sense Media, states that 75% of American teens have social media profiles. Large companies such as Instagram and Snapchat attract teens all around the world, leading to efficient communication.

A group of students at McPherson High School were questioned about their effects from social media. Upon hearing these words, responses such as platforms and Instagram resulted. “The first thought that comes to mind when I hear the words social media, is about the giants of big data like Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, etc. The corporations who wield enormous power not just in the entertainment realm, but legal too,” responds junior Cole Hansen.

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In North America, young adults and teenagers aged 16-24 spend the most time online via mobile, more than any other age group, spending nearly 200 minutes per day on a mobile device.

While on social media applications, students are exerting their time as they’re scrolling through endless feed. Usage throughout the day extended from three to eight times in a day to four times in just one hour. Junior Leah Parker states, “[I get on social media] Ten times a day at least.”

Technology has grown and different types of communication have evolved. “You get to share your personality over the internet,” Macy Hubbard answers.

Social media gives teens countless advantages to communicate on a daily basis. “The advantages of having social media, are probably truly ‘breaking’ news, interesting Internet memes, and the opportunity to communicate nearly immediately with anyone that has the same platform,” says Cole Hansen.

Although social networking has it’s benefits, some feel pressured to make appealing feed for their followers. “It’s where you post the best version of yourselves and where people vote on how much they “like” it,” says Leah Parker. “I definitely feel pressure to at least make it look professional,” Cole Hansen responded.

All students said that they’re positively affected by social media, and that they use it as a form of communication with friends or relatives around the globe. In other words, without the advancement of technology and the creation of social media, they wouldn’t be able to communicate as efficiently with others like they do today.

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For the 18-49 age group, YouTube has greater reach than any cable network.

Technology has been an important part of everyone’s lives, but imagine if social media was non-existent. Cole Hansen asserts, “If social media didn’t exist, humans would definitely interact differently, which would impact sociology. News and current events would be reported to the public more slowly. Teenagers would have less interaction with their peers.” Leah Parker says, “I think that despite the negative aspects of it, we would lose a vital connection that is available to us and that it would be for the worse.”