Social media: A friend or a

foe?
The twenty-first century ushered forth
a new age of technological
innovations. Smartphones, laptops,
and the
internet all came into existence and
quickly became necessities, to the
point where a person's presence would
be
questioned if they did not have
one. While the internet was still in
its development, social networking
sites
emerged, completely overturning the
way things previously functioned. It
has become an essential part of the
current generation which eases
communication and also is a form part
social medium that is used by many
people,
and by which the globe has
progressively become a puppet of
social media. Social media is
considered as a
powerful catalyst in a way that it plays
an active role in our social and
personal life. However, from all of
this, social
media is undoubtedly a boon to human
civilization since it has brought the
entire world together in one place, and
turned society a global village where
individuals from all over the world
can share their views and experiences.
Moreover, it has brought a major
change in our lives.
There is an increasing use of social
media, which show the rapid growth
of users throughout the world causing
addiction. Teenagers are getting more
addicted on social media day by day
so much that it is considered as social
disease. This addiction may result
many uprising problems on their well-
being including serious health issues
such
as depression and anxiety, in addition
it affects their academic performances.
A survey conducted by Mediakix
revealed that it is estimated 210
million people are now addicted to
social media and Internet directly or
indirectly
(Ncbi, 2016; Mediakix, 2018).
However, social media can be a very
significant medium for many reasons.
To begin
with, social media involves a variety
of internet platforms that are widely
utilized to communicate with friends
and
family. Developing friendship is one
of the advantages of social
networking. While interacting with
people online,
you get to know them more and thus,
develop social relationship. Social
media is playing an essential role as
the
main contributor in creating new
relationship among youth, in fact, it
enhances social contact,
independence, and
communication (Ito et al. 2008) as
well as a sense of emotional
connection with others (Reich 2010).
Yang and
Brown (2013) found that self-reported
levels of loneliness are lower and that
social adjustment is higher for late
adolescents who use Facebook in
order to maintain relationships while
transitioning to college. Ito et al.
(2008)
found that youth tend to use social
media to connect with others who
share their interests. It appears that
communicating online allows people
to enhance existing relationships as
well as foster new ones with similar
people that they may not encounter
day to day. Furthermore, as the initial
purpose of social media was to
connect
like-minded individuals, it comes
with a useful opportunity to
improve skills and careers by
sharing ideas,
information and knowledge, that
might not be physically accessible to
many of us. It has been revolutionary
in the
paradigm of education. Teaching
faculties have made social networks as
an extension to classroom discussion.
Many internet platforms are helping
students to solve their doubts through
social networking sites in just a
fraction
of seconds. Abelardo Pardo (2013)
believes that technology offers a
platform for innovation, and allows its
users to
express their opinions about how they
feel towards the information being
published. He adds that, social media
is
also a platform that allows students to
interact with one another, with their
teachers and communities that share
their same education. Pardo also states
that these types of interaction are “an
essential part of how humans learn.
Kirschner and Karpinski (2010) stated
that younger generation shares an
unclear bond with technology since
their
birth, leading them to multi-task. They
note that 46% of the younger
generation who access the internet use
it to
help them with their school
assignments.
After all, social media isn't all evil. It
does not restrict people's access to it,
but it does emphasize the importance
of
being more cautious. People can form
great bonds through social media, and
it makes their lives easier. Social
Networking sites are a double-edged
sword. Whether they are a boon or
bane to the society is for the user to
decide. It largely relies on how it is
used, whether to improve ourselves or
to degrade. Social media should be
used
as a fun escape from the real world
and not a place for misinformation and
hatred. Each individual must learn to
be
"A RESPONSIBLE USER" because
"social media is the platform for
spreading appropriate content to every
corner of
the world, so be the one who spread
kindness.
Social media: A friend or a
foe?
The twenty-first century ushered forth
a new age of technological
innovations. Smartphones, laptops,
and the
internet all came into existence and
quickly became necessities, to the
point where a person's presence would
be
questioned if they did not have
one. While the internet was still in
its development, social networking
sites
emerged, completely overturning the
way things previously functioned. It
has become an essential part of the
current generation which eases
communication and also is a form part
social medium that is used by many
people,
and by which the globe has
progressively become a puppet of
social media. Social media is
considered as a
powerful catalyst in a way that it plays
an active role in our social and
personal life. However, from all of
this, social
media is undoubtedly a boon to human
civilization since it has brought the
entire world together in one place, and
turned society a global village where
individuals from all over the world
can share their views and experiences.
Moreover, it has brought a major
change in our lives.
There is an increasing use of social
media, which show the rapid growth
of users throughout the world causing
addiction. Teenagers are getting more
addicted on social media day by day
so much that it is considered as social
disease. This addiction may result
many uprising problems on their well-
being including serious health issues
such
as depression and anxiety, in addition
it affects their academic performances.
A survey conducted by Mediakix
revealed that it is estimated 210
million people are now addicted to
social media and Internet directly or
indirectly
(Ncbi, 2016; Mediakix, 2018).
However, social media can be a very
significant medium for many reasons.
To begin
with, social media involves a variety
of internet platforms that are widely
utilized to communicate with friends
and
family. Developing friendship is one
of the advantages of social
networking. While interacting with
people online,
you get to know them more and thus,
develop social relationship. Social
media is playing an essential role as
the
main contributor in creating new
relationship among youth, in fact, it
enhances social contact,
independence, and
communication (Ito et al. 2008) as
well as a sense of emotional
connection with others (Reich 2010).
Yang and
Brown (2013) found that self-reported
levels of loneliness are lower and that
social adjustment is higher for late
adolescents who use Facebook in
order to maintain relationships while
transitioning to college. Ito et al.
(2008)
found that youth tend to use social
media to connect with others who
share their interests. It appears that
communicating online allows people
to enhance existing relationships as
well as foster new ones with similar
people that they may not encounter
day to day. Furthermore, as the initial
purpose of social media was to
connect
like-minded individuals, it comes
with a useful opportunity to
improve skills and careers by
sharing ideas,
information and knowledge, that
might not be physically accessible to
many of us. It has been revolutionary
in the
paradigm of education. Teaching
faculties have made social networks as
an extension to classroom discussion.
Many internet platforms are helping
students to solve their doubts through
social networking sites in just a
fraction
of seconds. Abelardo Pardo (2013)
believes that technology offers a
platform for innovation, and allows its
users to
express their opinions about how they
feel towards the information being
published. He adds that, social media
is
also a platform that allows students to
interact with one another, with their
teachers and communities that share
their same education. Pardo also states
that these types of interaction are “an
essential part of how humans learn.
Kirschner and Karpinski (2010) stated
that younger generation shares an
unclear bond with technology since
their
birth, leading them to multi-task. They
note that 46% of the younger
generation who access the internet use
it to
help them with their school
assignments.
After all, social media isn't all evil. It
does not restrict people's access to it,
but it does emphasize the importance
of
being more cautious. People can form
great bonds through social media, and
it makes their lives easier. Social
Networking sites are a double-edged
sword. Whether they are a boon or
bane to the society is for the user to
decide. It largely relies on how it is
used, whether to improve ourselves or
to degrade. Social media should be
used
as a fun escape from the real world
and not a place for misinformation and
hatred. Each individual must learn to
be
"A RESPONSIBLE USER" because
"social media is the platform for
spreading appropriate content to every
corner of
the world, so be the one who spread
kindness.
Social media: A friend or a
foe?
The twenty-first century ushered forth
a new age of technological
innovations. Smartphones, laptops,
and the
internet all came into existence and
quickly became necessities, to the
point where a person's presence would
be
questioned if they did not have
one. While the internet was still in
its development, social networking
sites
emerged, completely overturning the
way things previously functioned. It
has become an essential part of the
current generation which eases
communication and also is a form part
social medium that is used by many
people,
and by which the globe has
progressively become a puppet of
social media. Social media is
considered as a
powerful catalyst in a way that it plays
an active role in our social and
personal life. However, from all of
this, social
media is undoubtedly a boon to human
civilization since it has brought the
entire world together in one place, and
turned society a global village where
individuals from all over the world
can share their views and experiences.
Moreover, it has brought a major
change in our lives.
There is an increasing use of social
media, which show the rapid growth
of users throughout the world causing
addiction. Teenagers are getting more
addicted on social media day by day
so much that it is considered as social
disease. This addiction may result
many uprising problems on their well-
being including serious health issues
such
as depression and anxiety, in addition
it affects their academic performances.
A survey conducted by Mediakix
revealed that it is estimated 210
million people are now addicted to
social media and Internet directly or
indirectly
(Ncbi, 2016; Mediakix, 2018).
However, social media can be a very
significant medium for many reasons.
To begin
with, social media involves a variety
of internet platforms that are widely
utilized to communicate with friends
and
family. Developing friendship is one
of the advantages of social
networking. While interacting with
people online,
you get to know them more and thus,
develop social relationship. Social
media is playing an essential role as
the
main contributor in creating new
relationship among youth, in fact, it
enhances social contact,
independence, and
communication (Ito et al. 2008) as
well as a sense of emotional
connection with others (Reich 2010).
Yang and
Brown (2013) found that self-reported
levels of loneliness are lower and that
social adjustment is higher for late
adolescents who use Facebook in
order to maintain relationships while
transitioning to college. Ito et al.
(2008)
found that youth tend to use social
media to connect with others who
share their interests. It appears that
communicating online allows people
to enhance existing relationships as
well as foster new ones with similar
people that they may not encounter
day to day. Furthermore, as the initial
purpose of social media was to
connect
like-minded individuals, it comes
with a useful opportunity to
improve skills and careers by
sharing ideas,
information and knowledge, that
might not be physically accessible to
many of us. It has been revolutionary
in the
paradigm of education. Teaching
faculties have made social networks as
an extension to classroom discussion.
Many internet platforms are helping
students to solve their doubts through
social networking sites in just a
fraction
of seconds. Abelardo Pardo (2013)
believes that technology offers a
platform for innovation, and allows its
users to
express their opinions about how they
feel towards the information being
published. He adds that, social media
is
also a platform that allows students to
interact with one another, with their
teachers and communities that share
their same education. Pardo also states
that these types of interaction are “an
essential part of how humans learn.
Kirschner and Karpinski (2010) stated
that younger generation shares an
unclear bond with technology since
their
birth, leading them to multi-task. They
note that 46% of the younger
generation who access the internet use
it to
help them with their school
assignments.
After all, social media isn't all evil. It
does not restrict people's access to it,
but it does emphasize the importance
of
being more cautious. People can form
great bonds through social media, and
it makes their lives easier. Social
Networking sites are a double-edged
sword. Whether they are a boon or
bane to the society is for the user to
decide. It largely relies on how it is
used, whether to improve ourselves or
to degrade. Social media should be
used
as a fun escape from the real world
and not a place for misinformation and
hatred. Each individual must learn to
be
"A RESPONSIBLE USER" because
"social media is the platform for
spreading appropriate content to every
corner of
the world, so be the one who spread
kindness.
Social media: A friend or a foe?

The twenty-first century ushered forth a new age of technological innovations. Smartphones, laptops,
and theinternet all came into existence and quickly became necessities, to the point where a person's
presence would bequestioned if they did not have one. While the internet was still in its
development, social networking sitesemerged, completely overturning the way things previously
functioned. It has become an essential part of thecurrent generation which eases communication and
also is a form part social medium that is used by many people,and by which the globe has
progressively become a puppet of social media. Social media is considered as apowerful catalyst in
a way that it plays an active role in our social and personal life. However, from all of this, socialmedia is
undoubtedly a boon to human civilization since it has brought the entire world together in one place,
andturned society a global village where individuals from all over the world can share their views and
experiences.Moreover, it has brought a major change in our lives. There is an increasing use of social
media, which show the rapid growth of users throughout the world causingaddiction. Teenagers are
getting more addicted on social media day by day so much that it is considered as socialdisease. This
addiction may result many uprising problems on their well-being including serious health issues suchas
depression and anxiety, in addition it affects their academic performances. A survey conducted by
Mediakixrevealed that it is estimated 210 million people are now addicted to social media and Internet
directly or indirectly(Ncbi, 2016; Mediakix, 2018). However, social media can be a very significant
medium for many reasons. To beginwith, social media involves a variety of internet platforms that are
widely utilized to communicate with friends andfamily. Developing friendship is one of the advantages
of social networking. While interacting with people online,you get to know them more and thus,
develop social relationship. Social media is playing an essential role as themain contributor in creating
new relationship among youth, in fact, it enhances social contact, independence, andcommunication
(Ito et al. 2008) as well as a sense of emotional connection with others (Reich 2010). Yang andBrown
(2013) found that self-reported levels of loneliness are lower and that social adjustment is higher for
lateadolescents who use Facebook in order to maintain relationships while transitioning to college. Ito
et al. (2008)found that youth tend to use social media to connect with others who share their
interests. It appears thatcommunicating online allows people to enhance existing relationships as well
as foster new ones with similarpeople that they may not encounter day to day. Furthermore, as the
initial purpose of social media was to connectlike-minded individuals, it comes with a useful
opportunity to improve skills and careers by sharing ideas,information and knowledge, that
might not be physically accessible to many of us. It has been revolutionary in theparadigm of education.
Teaching faculties have made social networks as an extension to classroom discussion.Many internet
platforms are helping students to solve their doubts through social networking sites in just a fractionof
seconds. Abelardo Pardo (2013) believes that technology offers a platform for innovation, and allows its
users toexpress their opinions about how they feel towards the information being published. He adds
that, social media isalso a platform that allows students to interact with one another, with their teachers
and communities that sharetheir same education. Pardo also states that these types of interaction are
“an essential part of how humans learn.Kirschner and Karpinski (2010) stated that younger generation
shares an unclear bond with technology since theirbirth, leading them to multi-task. They note that 46%
of the younger generation who access the internet use it tohelp them with their school
assignments.After all, social media isn't all evil. It does not restrict people's access to it, but it does
emphasize the importance ofbeing more cautious. People can form great bonds through social media,
and it makes their lives easier. SocialNetworking sites are a double-edged sword. Whether they are a
boon or bane to the society is for the user todecide. It largely relies on how it is used, whether to
improve ourselves or to degrade. Social media should be usedas a fun escape from the real world and
not a place for misinformation and hatred. Each individual must learn to be"A RESPONSIBLE USER"
because "social media is the platform for spreading appropriate content to every corner ofthe world, so
be the one who spread kindness.

SOCIAL MEDIA: A FRIEND OR A FOE?