Facebook effects on society free essay sample

The internet has been widely used around the world since the 80s. It is the key for social development as well as education. Social media is challenging to define because of its rapid usage. Facebook, the most popular social network site on the internet, helps connect and create immense amount of information that is needed for the growth of society. It has vastly influenced the life of an individual. It is an augmenting force that keeps growing and has changed the thoughts of the youth generation negatively. The link that is created between the virtual world and reality has had a bad impact on individuals. It is up to the people to know their limits within using this new technology so it helps their lives rather than create new problems. Facebook, one of the time-consuming and unproductive social networking sites, dominates its users resulting in an physiological addiction, loss of privacy, and creating less interactions amongst others, which leads to negative effects in society. Social networking sites such as Facebook encourage people to be more revealing to the public about their personal lives. Many people pay no regard to all the information they put online some is quite personal. All their contact information or things like what they do is on the internet. Anyone can intrude on other people’s personal information, finding a lot more than they want. With so much information out, cyber stalking would begin. With kids mostly on the social networking sites, they are exposed to these cases as well. Cyber stalking can lead to cases such as robbers stealing or kidnapping. Cyber bullying would be outcome of this as well. Cyber bullying creates mental scars and unfortunately some cases leading to suicide. For instance, in October 2012 Amanda Todd sacrificed her life by consuming bleach due to a 35 year old man bullying her through Facebook. Most kids do not tell any adult that is happening to them. They are scared to death of what might happen next. Cyber bullying has widely spread across the youth with 42% reporting that they have been victims (2010 CBS News). People would argue that saying social networking is an extravagant way to find long lost friends, but people do not know whether those people are truly their friend or just a stranger pretending to be one. Strangers can use them as the next victim of their torture. Facebook is the reason why most people have no privacy amongst  themselves. Facebook has also created an addiction, known to others as facebookism, It is as addicting as an drug. Updating status, checking on others, stalking someone’s profile, and mingling with others are quite a few symptoms of this drug. Facebook puts a variety of powerful options and leading to people being hooked for hours every day. Some of Facebook users are so desperate for social networking that they cannot live without it. This causes many distractions. Critics of Facebook also agree that it is an obsession that wastes signifi cant amount of time. Facebook’s obsession also causes decreased productivity which doesn’t allow people to work. Wired.com posted two studies stating that social networking can cause damage done to the brain. Almost a quarter of Americans say they have missed out on important memories in their life due to paying attention of social media. Also over 90% of job hunters of all ages look for work through social networking and only about five percent go in person. People would argue that social networking is a relaxation; it provides them time for themselves, but there is a limit. Relaxation is not an excuse to use social media for hours. Facebook is a craving for most people around the world. Facebook also creates less interaction for people. They become socially awkward people. They also begin to have a false sense of connection. According to Cornell University’s Professor Steven Strogatz social networking sites make it difficult to distinguish between real life relations and the virtual world relationships. People post such as their girlfriend’s new engagement ring through Facebook which has caused relations to weaken. About 57% of break-ups take place through Facebook. It is also one of the reasons why users get depressed very often For instance, when a person posts a picture, they start to worry that it may not have enough likes. Facebook also creates a low self-esteem. UK’s Social Media Anxiety Disorder evaluated that over 50% of Facebook users felt no confidence in themselves. Most people would argue that Facebook does not create a low level of social skills. It allows people to communicate and converse to people around the world. However that is the secret to creating socially awkward people by not knowing how to converse in real life. Facebook indeed is the formula for low levels of interactions between real people. The most important things to be taken care of is a person’s health. It can deteriorate through social networking. As a person spends wasting precious energy on the virtual world social  interactions, they start to lose energy and begin to become hungry. Sitting in front of the computer, eating snacks without any physical activity will begin to accumulate all the extra pounds. This results in obesity. Facebook is one of the prime reasons to obesity. Facebook studies also reveal physiological effects that are connected to Facebook. California State University’s Larry Rosen investigated into this cause. His belief is that â€Å"excessive indulgence in social media portals – especially Facebook, leads to antisocial behavior and physiological disorders.† During his study, students who frequently used Facebook during the time to studying caused: miserable grades, sleeping problems, and increased depression and anxiety. These kids graduate high school with a GPA of 3.2 while others at the level of 3.8 or above. People say that interacting with others using technology is very healthy. However, it can go too far by not knowing how to interact otherwise. Awareness needs to be made to show the users of this monstrosity how to use these sites as a benefit, not a hinder. In conclusion, Facebook has had gloomy effects on society. Facebook has proven to create an addiction, therefore proving less productivity and determination. Facebook has also been the prime reason for cyber bullying and stalking because of the lack of privacy. This network has also created socially awkward people due to not having enough personal interactions with people in the real world. Another impact of Facebook is health. Facebook, just like any other social media website can affect anyone. Therefore through the outcomes of Facebook stated above, the citizens of the world should minimize the time spent on social networking such as Facebook due to the negative effects for the betterment of society and themselves.