Negative Impacts of Social Media to Humanity

Jim Michael Casauran

Data Center Colleges
ABSTRACT
Social media had been already a part of people’s lives. Individuals use different social
media platforms for different reasons and it has benefited them for a long time. However, for
every positive impacts it bring to the humanity, there are always negative impacts. On this term
paper, negative impacts of social media are discussed. The information and data are gathered
from other studies and articles online due to this pandemic and are analysed by the researcher.
INTRODUCTION
Due to the fact that today's world is at risk, individuals rely to social media platforms.
Oxford dictionary defined social media as websites and applications that enable users to create
and share content or o participate in social networking. Technology plays a significant role of
today's current situation and that includes social media. This began to conquer the world and
make people’s lives modern. Currently, social media is used by most of the world’s population
as means of communication, connection, networking, work and many more. This has been
already a part of people’s modern lives and there are so much advantages and benefits to them.
However, there are also negative impacts of this to humanity. These negative impacts make
humanity vulnerable and they know nothing about the dangers of social media. Despite of the
convenience it provides, there could be more dangers and negative effects hidden starting to
come out.
BODY
Social media plays an important role in the society and no one could underestimate it as
of now. It provides humanity the convenience they need and makes it easier for them to
communicate and interact with one another. Particularly today that the humanity's facing this
crisis. This is one of the benefits social media bring for the public. However, the main topic here
is the negative impacts of social media to the humanity mostly for learners. Majority of teens and
adolescent adults are into and addicted to social media platforms.
Social media addiction is a behavioral addiction that is defined by being overly
concerned about social media, driven by an uncontrollable urge to log on to or use social media,
and devoting so much time and effort to social media that it impairs other important life areas
(Hilliard, 2021). On a study conducted by Abdulahi, Samadi, & Gharleghi (2014) they stated that
internet use plays in the lives of today’s young adults, understanding possible health implications
is of clinical importance. In particular, problematic internet use (PIU) is a new and growing
health concern for adolescents and young adults. PIU lacks a standardized definition, but it has
also been referred to as internet addiction (Christakis & Moreno, 2009; Dell’Osso, Altamura,
Allen, Marazziti, &Hollander, 2006). Young adults also may be the population most at risk for
the development of PIU. Because adolescents and young adults have the highest rates of internet
use and frequency (Lenhart et al., 2005; Shiffman, 2009; Tokunaga, 2010). A researcher named
Dr Sam Thomas, 2011 wrote an article called addiction in Internet chatting: An empirical study
using the modified Technology Acceptance Model. His paper revealed that excessive time on
social network sites may lead to internet addiction. Students around the world spend a lot of time
on social network sites which this leads to major consequences. Excessive time spent in this
manner could lead to the problematic behaviour known as Internet addiction. Internet addiction
is viewed as a psychological dependence on or a behavioural addiction to the Internet resulting in
excessive usage (Kandell, 1998; Griffiths, 2000). In addition, many researchers have argued that
the attractiveness of the Internet could lead to excessive use. Past research has described this
phenomenon as Internet addiction (Griffiths, 2000; Soule et al., 2003; Widyanto and Griffiths,
2006). On the other hand, Young (1998) argued that the Internet itself is not addictive, but
highly interactive applications like online chatting can be addictive.
Abdulahi, Samadi, & Gharleghi (2014) cited also that researchers revealed that students
exhibit some addiction symptoms, namely, Salience (both cognitive and behavioural), Loss of
Control, Withdrawal and Relapse and Reinstatement. These symptoms matched some of the
addictive components of the Brown’s Addiction Behaviour Framework. The findings are similar
to other studies that have revealed addictive behaviour in using mobile phones (Blakrishnan &
Raj, 2012; Walsh et al., 2010), online games (Charlton & Danforth, 2007) and the Internet
(Charlton, 2002).
According to Hilliard (2021), the phenomena of social media addiction can largely be
contributed to the dopamine-inducing social environments that social networking sites provide.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram produce the same neural
circuitry that is caused by gambling and recreational drugs to keep consumers using their
products as much as possible. Studies have shown that the constant stream of retweets, likes, and
shares from these sites have affected the brain’s reward area to trigger the same kind of chemical
reaction as other drugs, such as cocaine. In fact, neuroscientists have compared social media
interaction to a syringe of dopamine being injected straight into the system.
Due to the effect that it has on the brain, social media is addictive both physically and
psychologically. According to a new study by Harvard University, self-disclosure on social
networking sites lights up the same part of the brain that also ignites when taking an addictive
substance. The reward area in the brain and its chemical messenger pathways affect decisions
and sensations. When someone experiences something rewarding, or uses an addictive substance,
neurons in the principal dopamine-producing areas in the brain are activated, causing dopamine
levels to rise. Therefore, the brain receives a “reward” and associates the drug or activity with
positive reinforcement (Hilliard, 2021).
Social media use becomes problematic when someone views social networking sites as
an important coping mechanism to relieve stress, loneliness, or depression. For these people,
social media use provides continuous rewards that they’re not receiving in real life, and end up
engaging in the activity more and more. This continuous use eventually leads to multiple
interpersonal problems, such as ignoring real life relationships, work or school responsibilities,
and physical health, which may then exacerbate an individual’s undesirable moods. This then
causes people to engage in the social networking behavior even more as a way of relieving
dysphoric mood states. Consequently, when social network users repeat this cyclical pattern of
relieving undesirable moods with social media use, the level of psychological dependency on
social media increases (Hilliard, 2021).
For the last decades, the main issue before was addiction on television, but today’s issue
deals with social media addiction. People do not seem to notice the negative outcomes or maybe
they just pretend not to know. The negative outcomes last long and difficult to treat. For
instance, an individual scrolling through social media account and spending much more time in
this may affect his/her health, either physical or mental. Individuals spending most of their time
on social media do not actually feel accompanied and happier yet they tend to feel more sadness,
loneliness, insecurity and discouragement. Some may feel inadequacy about their lives or
physical appearance. They feel insecure on how they look like and compare it to the images they
see on their social media accounts even though they know that those are manipulated and edited.
The feeling of dissatisfaction and envy for those that share their achievements and success will
not be lessened.
Hilliard (2021) mentioned as well that recent studies have found that frequent social
network users believe that other users are happier and more successful than they are, especially
when they do not know them very well in real life. Social media facilitates an environment in
which people are comparing their realistic offline selves to the flawless, filtered, and edited
online versions of others, which can be detrimental to mental well-being and perception of self.
Excessive social media use can not only cause unhappiness and a general dissatisfaction with life
in users, but also increase the risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety and
depression. Constantly comparing oneself to others can lead to feelings of self-consciousness or
a need for perfectionism and order, which often manifests itself into social anxiety disorder.
Also, they feel missed out and comparing the feeling of the others having more fun in
their lives and them having no fun at all. These feelings impact their anxiety and may even
trigger it, lower their self-esteem and even fuel much more time on using social media. As a
result, it triggers them to pick up their phones every few minutes to check for updates, having no
sleep at all, and/or prioritizing social media over real world interactions and relationships.
Moreover, multiple studies have proven and found that there is a strong link relationship and link
between spending most of the time with social media and an increased risk of anxiety,
depression, loneliness, sadness, self-harm or worse, suicidal thoughts. Individuals need face-to-
face interactions in order to be mentally healthy. Having face-to-face contacts with friends and
family members may boost mood faster and reduce stress that one may feel. An eye-to-eye
contact is more effective to reduce stress and change mood with someone who really cares on
another person. The more an individual spend and prioritize social media over real world
interactions, the greater the chance he/she may develop mood disorders such as anxiety and
depression.
Robinson and Smith (2021) stated that in today’s world, many of us rely on social media
platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram to find and connect
with each other. While each has its benefits, it’s important to remember that social media can
never be a replacement for real-world human connection. It requires in-person contact with
others to trigger the hormones that alleviate stress and make you feel happier, healthier, and
more positive. Ironically for a technology that’s designed to bring people closer together,
spending too much time engaging with social media can actually make you feel more lonely and
isolated—and exacerbate mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
There is no agreement in regard to the type of effect that social media platforms have on
an individual. Whilst some note that social helps to maintain old friendship and ecourages new
contacts, the majority of scholars agree on the negative effect that social media brings to the
humanity, according to an article posted on January 26, 2021. People may not seem to notice
these little by little changes and effects to them but will just notice these as time passed by.
Another one, social media has lead to cyberbulliying among students. Stopbullying.gov,
an official website of the United States government defined cyberbullying as bullying that takes
place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur
through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can
view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing
negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or
private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some
cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.
The most common places where cyberbullying occurs: Social Media, such as Facebook,
Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok, Text messaging and messaging apps on mobile or tablet
devices, Instant messaging, direct messaging, and online chatting over the internet, Online
forums, chat rooms, and message boards, such as Reddit, Email, Online gaming communities. It
is estimated that about ten percent (10%) of teens are reported to be bullied on social media and
many users are actually subjected to offensive and hurtful comments. Facebook, and twitter
could be hotspots for hurtful comments, rumours, abuse and lies, leaving lasting emotional scars
on individuals.
According to UNICEF, the United Nations organization working for children’s rights,
one in three young people in 30 countries said they have been a victim of online bullying, with
one in five saying they skipped school due to cyberbullying and violence. According to the press
release of UNICEF Philippines on September 6, 2019, the latest national data show that
cyberviolence affects almost half of children aged 13-17. The prevalence of cyberviolence for
males (44 percent) is almost the same for females (43 percent). One-third of cyberviolence
experienced by Filipino children are in the form of verbal abuse over the internet or cellphone,
while a fourth are through sexual messages. More females received messages of sexual nature or
content than males. However, twice as many males than females reported having their nude body
or sexual activities, whether real or falsified, shown on the internet or cellphone.
Cyberbullying affects almost half of Filipino children. Some believe that it is the
government’s responsibility to address cyberbullying. Some other believe that the youth or
adolescents themselves were mainly responsible to address online bullying. While some also
believe that parents and guardians are actually responsible in addressing cyberviolence and the
Internet companies are accountable. The public’s opinions are divided randomly and equally on
who should be the one to address or end cyberbullying. Any kind of violence and abuse against
children, either physical or online bullying, has devastating impacts on the physical, mental and
emotional wellbeing of youth. This could create and develop lasting psychological and emotional
wound and scar and even physical harm. UNICEF added that it is particularly challenging to
address since children are vulnerable and have easy access to the internet, making them easy
targets of online violence.
As of now, UNICEF is calling for urgent action to implement policies that will protect
children and young people from bullying – both online and offline. In order to end this problem,
every individual has their shared responsibility and required to take action. Teachers and parents
should also do their part as their guide and role model. They should also be trained to respond
and prevent bullying in order to protect the children specifically the vulnerable ones. From their
press release, UNICEF is also urging social media and social networking service companies to
improve ethical standards and practices in collecting and managing information of children.
Lastly, being active in social media sites or platforms puts individuals in a higher risk of
identity theft. There are more chances than ever before in stealing identities and personal
information or perpetrating fraud online with the increased global use of social media. According
to an article on a website named NortonLifeLock, frauds could then use these fake social media
profiles to scam others out of money or to tarnish reputation. And every time they trick someone
into sending money to a fake charity or spread hateful messages, friends, family members, and
co-workers may think “that” someone else is the one committing the crime or promoting hate
speech. Fortunately, one can take steps to help protect himself against these scammers. One just
need to be careful about the information he shares about himself online, manage social media
privacy settings, and report fake social media accounts whenever one do find them.
Scammers and identity thieves have different reasons for committing such crimes. Some
are interested in money, spread political and hateful messages or speech, or maybe the reason is
personal in order to destroy someone’s reputation. The greater the amount of personal
information these scammers can find about their target online, the more realistic and easier to
create fake social media accounts. They might also use a trick with phishing emails in order for
someone to give personal information.
CONCLUSION
The world of Internet is as dangerous as a wild forest. Social media had been affecting
people’s lives for a long time. There are advantages social media bring us and benefit humanity
in many aspects. However, social media also impact today’s population negatively. Social media
platforms affect someone’s health physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically. Could
also create identity theft or even worse cyberviolence. Everyone should take these negative
impacts seriously and take action as soon as possible. One should lessen their usage of social
media in order to prevent these disadvantages.
 REFERENCES
A. Abdulahi, B. Samadi, & B. Gharleghi (2014). “A Study on the Negative Effects of
Social Networking Siteds such as Facebook among Asia Pacific University Scholars in
Malaysia”. Retrieved from: www.researchgate.com

J. Hilliard (2021). “Social Media Addiction”. Retrieved from:

https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/social-media-addiction

L. Robinson & M. Smith M.A. (2021). “Social Media and Mental Health”. Retrieved
from: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-
health.html#:~:text=The%20more%20you%20prioritize%20social,are%20subjected%20to
%20offensive%20comments

https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it

https://www.unicef.org/philippines/press-releases/online-bullying-remains-prevalent-philippines-
other-countries