In this ever increasing fast-paced society, social media has allowed families and

friends to be closer even if they are in different parts of the world. It is indispensable
as it enables us to share our thoughts, views and locations anytime. There are effects
that arise from the usage of internet. According to surveys and statistics collated,
people continuously spend more time accessing social media site in comparison with
other online websites. Social media can be defined as the online communication
channels which allow users to share or exchange information.
The total time spent on social media in the U.S. across electronic devices increased
by 99 percent to 100 over billion minutes in 2012 than in 2011 which was 60 over
billion minutes. Social media has its own merits and demerits. Given that more people
especially youths are relying heavily on usage of social media such as Facebook and
Instagram, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the usage
of social media. This essay will explore the three main consequences of using social
media sites. These include mainly social factors such as exposure to cyberbullying,
the possibility of fraud or thefts (Bryfonski, D.2012). On the other hand, social media
sites can be used as an educational tool as schools find it easier to involve students to
participate more actively in lessons and gain more interest in subjects.
Social media can be a useful educational tool as schools start to use social media
sites to conduct classes. Sites like Facebook can help allow students to contact each
other if they require help in their assignments and they do not need to meet up to
discuss their projects (Social Media Chimps.2013). Using social media in class can
help allow students to participate actively. It can help to increase students confidence
and voicing out their opinions. Students and teachers can increase their interaction.
Students can seek help and clarify their doubts on their homework by posting their
queries on Facebook wall where other students can also learn from it when their
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teachers reply. Teachers can share information with their students by sharing links. In
addition, they can use Facebook to update parents on their childrens progress and the
ongoing activities in school (Educationworld.com. 2015). Overall, social media sites
are rather useful in educational aspect as it can help create discussions and allow
exchange of ideas which will not stifle childrens creativity.
Despite the increasing usage of social media sites to allow teachers to conduct
classes, teachers have complained that it is always not that effective as it can be a
distraction in classroom. Social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram can
divert students attention from actual lessons and they may not be listening in class at
all. Over usage of social media sites can reduce effective face to face communication
and youths will be oblivious of what is happening around them. This could ultimately
affect their ability to carry out conversations with others and as a result create gaps
between them and others. In the long run, it will affect family relationships as people
are finding it tough to resist the usage of such social media sites. In studies conducted
worldwide, results have shown that social media is more addictive than other vices
such as gambling and smoking cigarettes. Face to face communication and using
social networking sites are mutually exclusive. Focusing on one will deprive time
spent on another. In a nutshell, over usage of social media sites can cause addiction
and individuals can alienate themselves from reality and find it tough to communicate
with others (Ascd.org. 2015).
While usage of social media sites has its merits, it can also be a weapon used by
people to attack others through malicious comments which can be viewed by
everyone (Stopcyberbullying.org.2015). In a study conducted by

Indiana State

University about cyberbullying, results have shown that more than 20 percent of the
students have stated that they were harassed online and a quarter of these students
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have reported that they were bullied through these websites. Thus, it can be seen that
using of such social media sites can expose individuals to such harassment which is
difficult to prevent. It is difficult to monitor the usage of such websites; students may
post inappropriate information on social websites which can be damaging to their
peers. Cyberbullying can have severe consequences on individuals (Raatma, L. 2013).
Cyberbullying can have psychological effect on youths especially at a young age and
it can create emotional stress. It will help destroy ones self confidence. These effects
can continue for a long period of time and they may need to seek help in the long run
as it is irreversible. The social impact of cyberbullying through social media sites has
dire consequences especially on youths. It is easy to access such sites so parents have
to play a vital role in ensuring that their children are not targets of such malicious
attacks by communicating with them and filtering inappropriate contents.
In conclusion, using social media sites have its pros and cons on youths. It can help
connect people together and even searching for a long lost person. Although using
social media sites can aid in discussions in classrooms and generate interest in
different subjects, People have to be wary of the adverse impacts of social media sites
as it can cause one to be addicted and thus alienate them from reality and reduce
communication. This is harmful to the society in the long run. The number of people
using Facebook is increasing daily though at a slower rate. According to the latest
statistics, more than 70% of Facebooks active users access the sites daily which are a
significant increase from 60% and about half use Instagram too. All these negative
consequences can be mitigated with parents monitoring and more face to face
communication between people.

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References
Social Media Chimps. (2013). Social Media's Impact on Youth - Social Media
Chimps. Retrieved 11 April 2015, from
http://socialmediachimps.com/infographics/social-media-impact-on-youth/
Bryfonski, D. (2012). The global impact of social media. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven
Press.
Stopcyberbullying.org. (2015). STOP cyberbullying: What is cyberbullying, exactly?
Retrieved 11 April 2015, from
http://stopcyberbullying.org/what_is_cyberbullying_exactly.html
Educationworld.com. (2015). Schools and Online Social Networking. Retrieved 11
April 2015, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues/issues423.shtml
Raatma, L. (2013). Cyberbullying. Danbury, Conn.: Children's Press.
Ascd.org. (2015). Educational Leadership: The Effective Educator: Using Social

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