All over the world a majority of the population use social media today. Social media like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Whatsapp, Twitter, etc., has made us connect to a lot of people sitting miles away from us. But, even though it brings people together, it has also created a gap between people sitting right next to each other.
New research has shown that the more time young adults spend using social media, the higher their chances are of feeling socially isolated. According to a new paper published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, people who logged onto social media accounts for more than two hours per day were twice as likely to experience social isolation than those who spent less than half an hour. Perhaps the most substantial criticism that can be made of social media networks is that they deprive us of human interaction, and create virtual substitutes that still maintain emotional distance. Sherry Turkle has argued that social networks only provide the illusion of companionship and that the kind of interactions we experience can’t replicate quality interactions; in this context, we can be in the same room as someone else, but still devoting our attention to our online networks.
One of the biggest reasons why social networks are causing loneliness is because real social skills are going out the window. For Instance, teens today are not equipped with learning how to make new friends due to the digital age of social networks. There is also the issue of maintaining the friendships, which often is just done through social networks as opposed to hanging out. The lack of real personal interaction with these friends is leading to feelings of isolation. Another part of social networks is the ability to reply to messages, texts, and other forms of online communication with a blink of an eye. This ability to instantly communicate and talk back is leading to teens knowing pretty quickly when they are being ignored, especially since Messenger allows you to see if your message has been read or not. The teens feel insulted, lonely, depressed, and even anxious when they realize they are being given the “silent treatment essentially” by a so-called friend online.
While not all of the social media has a negative vibe, there are many websites devoted to feelings of depression, loneliness, and isolation. Tumblr, for example, is a place where teens can go to reinforce negative thoughts and feelings. These social media platforms tend to push teens into only interacting with like-minded people. The interactions of only like-minded people can significantly impact feeling lonely and isolated because teens are not engaging with different viewpoints or different thoughts or feelings. Teens that are not looking to enhance their worldview will find themselves feeling isolated like no one hears them or can help them with their problems.
Social networks cause teens to become lonelier often due to insecurities they have coming to the surface regularly. On social media, we see people having fun and who are happy both personally and academically. The fact that people post pictures of what seems to be a perfect life enhances loneliness of teens. Teens feel they are not as accurate as someone else online or that their family is not as cold as that of a friend. Instead of feeling like teens can connect with one another online through social networks, they feel like they cannot measure up to the confident and happy life someone else portrays online.
While social networks can be a positive way to interact with friends and family, it can also cause loneliness and depression in people. People often feel they are inadequate just through regular real-life interactions, and social networks amplify those feelings and thoughts. Too often, sites like Facebook create an artificial perception of others and mean that you lose perspective on what’s important. Using social media selectively, and making the most of the networks as a way to meet friends, or to learn more about opportunities in a local area, or even national and international support groups, can encourage a stronger sense of unity. So, therefore, there is a connection between social media and isolation and can only be improved if we start realizing the impact of it on our lives.
You raised a valid point social media is a big source of isolation. you may be well aware of people who are sitting 1,000 miles away from you but at the same time you are unfamiliar with your member how he/she feels.
excess use of social media increase the social issues.
I am not totally against the social media but unfortunately it is damaging our society and moral values.
@kamchore Parents need to keep an eye on their children how they are using it by the way. It is harmful and beneficial too at the same time. but fair usage is the need of this modern age.we need to better understand the relationship between social media use and a young person's character and moral values.
Thank you very much for your feed back and for this wonderful image
I agree, There is certain age of children whom you should keep an eye, otherwise you may face the ill consequences. But being parent if you spend a lot of time with your children you will also familiar with his/her condition He will also feel good to enjoy your company rather using social media. It's all depend upon parents how much quality time they give to their children. @hamzayousaf
Social media shouldn't use us, but instead we should use social media to go out and find people with similar interests and interact with them one on one. For example if you love food and cooking. Go out in your area and meet people like you- talk, discuss ,cook and eat. This kicks out isolation or loneliness :)
"Be careful what you share on social media because you never know when something could come back and ruin your life" I agree with you dear @practicaleric thanks for this nice addition. we must be careful what we share on social media because we never know when something could come back and ruin our life. We should interact to our related field people.
All thing have two side, Advantages and disadvantages..
Social media keep a good role on social life,,
I thing this is awesome,But the bad effect is not visual..
Digital age is based on it..
Thanks for your great review
Agreed @mishuxr such as a coin has two sides tail and head, all things also have two sides. I personally believes that if things have two sides and if its one negative and positive then we must always go with positive side and try to be aware of negative side.
Good content @hamzayousaf
your writing skill and research is perfect..
While social networks can be a positive way to interact with friends and family, it can also cause loneliness and depression..Thanks for sharing..
Thanks dear @lafzaia While social networks can be a positive way to interact with friends and family, it can also cause loneliness and depression in teens. Teens often times feel they are inadequate just through normal real life interactions, and social networks amplify those feelings and thoughts.
It's true. As we know, nothing comes with no side effects or bitter section.
It all depends on how we use it.
@steemitnepal Yeah you are right it depends on the social media users how they use it but fair usage is the need of this modern age and need to better understand the relationship between social media use and a young person's character and moral values.
yeah..you are right,,The abuse of spending tome on social media decreases the creativity and damages the proper mentality ..I appreciate with you,,We should take some steps for this,,\Thanks for sharing
The primary focus of concern about children's media use has been whether it makes them more hostile and aggressive. There are negative and positive aspects of every thing so the need is to better usage of social media. Thanks for your valuable views @nishuxr
social media is great way to bring people close from all over the world,, like a global village..My Today Post About Famous Ramadan Foods from Around the World
Right said @yousafharoonkhan .. social media has been in effect, this is called for the westernization of the world hence the global villagen because it is making the people closer from all over the world
Your writting skills and article is good @hamzayousaf, thanks for sharing with us
Thanks dear Its my pleasure @steemrobot
Social media connecting to all over the world, now we directly communicate to any person. like a blockchain
Yeah right said @zahidsun While I have connections in every corner of the world with people through social media, in general I do not spend my time online learning about their cultures. I tend to spend most of time with people in my business world
That's true.
Dear @tapanbk Plz read the article and try to do comments in your own words in minimum 3-4 lines .
The social network is working as kind of drug among young people. The interesting version of her honey selfi.
Thank you
great article@hamzayosuf
Thanks plz try to do long comment
good post
Thanks
I could not agree more on this. Social media is an amazing tool to network, learn of new opportunities and just be generally aware of what is happening in the world. However, regardless of what people say, they are constantly comparing their lives to the lives of others on social media. It is hard not to. At the end of the day, people are going to post what they want to post. They are also going to post their best images and adventures. They are creating a story of themselves whether it is real or not. Although this needs to be taken into consideration, it is more often not. I think if social media is limited, it can be a beneficial tool that has less negative impact on self-esteem and depression.