Social Media and its Effects on Everyday Life

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Throughout the years, social media has become an influential part of everyday lives, especially today in 2019. Although social media has many positives that allow people to stay connected, it has many negatives effects as well. Over a short time period, there was a big growth in use of social media platforms.

Certain platforms have been prevalent throughout the years, such as Facebook and Instagram. While others such as LinkedIn and My Space are not very popular or relevant anymore. Recently, certain platforms have become very popular such as Snapchat and TikTok that are enjoyed by a range of ages. While each platform is entertaining in its own way, many people have opinions on how the use of social media affects their lives.

Social media has taken over society, and although it helps friends and family stay connected, it will most likely continue to cause society to conform to unrealistic ideals. When asked the question “Do you enjoy social media?” many people seem to enjoy social media when first asked, after more thought about how it affects lives, the answers began to change. When Senior Analia Thota was asked if she liked social media, she said, “Yes, it connects people to each other especially family and friends.” Junior Sam Schmitt said that “Depending upon the particular brand of social media, yes [I do like it].” Nonetheless, high school English teacher Robin Godard explained how “social media contains many negative physiological effects.”

A study done by Royal Social for Public Health said, “Social media has increased anxiety, depression, poor sleep quality, body image issues and cyberbullying”. The article also explains how the rise of anxiety and depression has raised absurdly high from the start of social media’s relevancy until now, when lives often revolve around social media. For example, many professions revolve around social media, such as a “Youtuber” or an “Social Media Influencer.” Many companies use influencers to promote their products or brands because they are so popular, and people then look up to and envy many of these people. Godard also believes that social media is very time consuming along with Thota who said, “That it affects her everyday life because it occasionally makes [her] feel self-conscious.”

Since social media became popular, everyday lives have changed drastically. Most everyday activities incorporate some sort of social media. Such as eating lunch, there is an urgent need to post a picture or simply posting an outfit, so the followers are informed. Many people do not realize how much time social media takes up in their days until the apps crash or are not working. When the apps are down, many people start to get upset and go to other social media platforms in order to find out what the problem is. When Godard was asked if social media was taken out of her life how it would affect her, she said “It would mostly be for the better, especially for teens.” Thota also responded and said, “I would notice changes in my personality, but would have more free time.”

Social media continues to overpower many aspects of lives and will continue to if society allows it. Certain precautionary actions should take place in order to have a healthier and more productive life, such as setting a time limit or deleting certain social media platforms. By taking small steps to better lives, society will become aware of the harm and time consumption that social media continues to have on lives.

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