Persuasive essay about social media(The Final Version)

Inhyup Kim                                                       

Instructor: Professor Crane

English 1010

04 June 2012

Persuasive essay about social media

Nowadays, many people are using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, and
so on. Since the Internet has rapidly propagated, social media has progressed rapidly. The
widespread use of mobile devices to access the internet gradually transformed the nature of our
social interactions. Most people use smart phones, i-phones or mobile internet devices to easily
access social network. It helps us contact friends, family, and other people even if they live far away.
Social media has many advantages; nevertheless, it can be abused in moments by young children if
we are not careful, because they can easily access social media. We need to understand and
regulate the use of social media by young children.

In discussions of social media, one controversial issue has been social media is good to use
for children. On the one hand, some people argue social media is okay for children to use freely. On
the other hand, other people even contend social media is for children to use with regulation. My
own view is that we should understand and regulating the use of social media by young
children, because overusing social media can create strong addictions, develop mental or physical
disorders, and waste our time.

            First of all, social media, such as Facebook, are very addictive. Especially, people who are
lonely can become easily addicts. Human is social animal, so they want to make relationship with
others. People would say drug or alcohol is more addictive and harmful for children than social
media; social media addiction is not a big problem. Unfortunately, it is not true. Social media can
lead to compulsive behavior. A report of the social media addiction by University of Chicago’s Booth
School of Business says: “There is evidence to show as well that social behaviours like hugs and
smiles are associated with dopamine release … it’s possible that social media is pleasurable and
becomes addictive via the dopamine mechanism just as drugs or alcohol can(Fekken).” In the light
of these facts, surely social media can make addicts, and it is hard to escape. The problem is most
people who have an addiction to social media and do not even realize it.

Children, also, can easily get mental and physical disorders through using social media.
People might think social media does not contribute to disorders. They argue that social media is
good for mental diseases because it help them express their feelings or thought easily. Also, through
social media, they can be more connected with each other. However, as stated above, if children
become addicts, naturally we could think they have emotional instability. Social media offers limited
real interaction, through online contact. On the Mental Health Blog, psychologist, Aric Sigman
claimed “Spending too much time online could lead to social isolation, loneliness and a negative
outlook. These types of psychological symptoms could eventually lead to more serious health
concerns, such as heart disease, cancer and dementia.(Sigman)” Using social media disturbs make
deep relationship with others. When they are using social media they do not need to move or be
active. As a result, it leads to mental and physical disorders.

            Social media can become handicap in our life. In this sense, social media can hinder people
to improve their talents. People think social media is good place to show their talents or works what
they did. For example, they argue people can share video clip what they playing the instruments or
dancing or singing. However, if you are not good at those things and if you spend time to do social
media, it would be hard to improve your talents. Using social media steals your time what really want
to do. If you do not pay attention, your time would go very fast, and it could not be returned. If you
read books, or study, exercise, or practice something that you want to do instead of using social
media, it would be much better for you and your future life.

             I conducted surveys about relationships between using social media and studying last
semester. Most students answered using social media is not helpful for studying. Also, students who
got good grades spent just a little time to use social media. These results can be adjusted to young
children because they are more easily influenced by social media.

Question #5: Using the Social Network helps you in your work and studies

18 ~ 24 year-old = 20 25~30 year-old = 5 Over 30 year-old = 5

Agree No Disagre Agree No Disagre Agree No Disagree
opinion e opinion e opinion
2 7 11 3 1 1 1 1 3
10% 35% 55% 60% 20% 20% 20% 20% 60%

Question #6: Using the Social Network helps you in your work and studies

GPA (0 ~ 2.0) = 0 GPA (2.1 ~ 3.5) = 19 GPA ( over 3.6) = 11

Agree No Disagre Agree No Disagree Agree No Disagree
opinion e opinion opinion
0 0 0 5 6 8 1 3 6
0% 0% 0% 26% 32% 42% 9% 27% 64%
Fig.1 “Survey Research Paper Write-up”

Especially, the young generation and children are easy to be exposed to environments
which using social media.  Social media are favorite not only along with teens or youngsters; it is
growing among working people and also adults. Social media is regarded as an addiction and many
people are becoming addicts every day. It can occur mentally and physically and make you waste
time. As you can see, we need to understand and regulate the use of social media by young
children.