Although it provides easy access and connectivity advantages to various regions, the worldwide problem of social media addiction is still growing.
According to a study conducted by Pew Research Center in April 2015, approximately 25% of teenagers in the United States are constantly online due to widespread smartphone availability (Lenhart, 2016). The Bank of America's annual Trends in Consumer Mobility Report from June 2015 supports this finding, revealing that despite potential sleep quality impacts, 71% of respondents bring their mobile phones to bed or keep them nearby at night (Bank of America, 2015). These results suggest that excessive social media use is globally impacting users and can have negative consequences for individuals and society as a whole. Such consequences include cyberbullying, staged marketing, and body dissatisfaction. It is important to note that bullying has existed before the internet and social media; most incid
...ents occurred face-to-face.
With the advancement of technology and accessibility, individuals now have the ability to instantly express themselves online without considering the consequences. This has led to a phenomenon known as Cyber Bullying. Unlike traditional forms of school bullying, cyberbullying follows its victims everywhere through text messages or emails. In addition, cyberbullying reaches a larger audience since it occurs online.
In December 2016, there was an unfortunate incident that serves as a tragic example of the impact of cyberbullying. In their Texas City home, family members witnessed an 18-year-old girl shooting herself in the chest. According to Raul Vela, the victim's father, his daughter had been enduring months of abusive text messages from bullies who used an untraceable smartphone application (Robinson, 2016).
The rise of fake Facebook pages is another form of cyberbullying, highlighting the significan
impact it can have on this popular social media platform. With "2.23 billion monthly active users" (Smith, 2018), Facebook has become an essential marketing tool for reaching a wider audience. However, distinguishing genuine advertising on social media platforms can be difficult as companies now collaborate with "social media influencers" or popular accounts who are paid to endorse their products (Council, 2018). Staged marketing involves integrating brands and companies into visual posts.
When users hover over the images, they will see a change in the post. This could include brand accounts appearing or a link being provided in the text to encourage consumers to check out the product. A study conducted by Points North Group discovered that mid-level influencers with 50,000 to 100,000 followers have around 20% fake followers (Vranica, 2018). In order to increase their popularity, numerous brands in North America pay influencers millions of dollars each month to obtain new fake followers. These fake accounts, also known as bots, not only impact advertising audiences but also play a role in shaping political debates (Chen, Pathak & Moses, 2017).
Improper use of social media can harm a company's image and also cause body dissatisfaction, especially in young girls who encounter unrealistic beauty standards and societal expectations. Studies indicate that this can contribute to the emergence of eating disorders in both genders. Visual and interactive platforms like Instagram prioritize looks, often leading people to compare themselves with popular trends on social media.
A Chicago-based treatment center specializing in eating disorders has observed that a considerable proportion of its adolescent patients, ranging from 30% to 50%, utilize social media as a means of reinforcing their disordered eating behaviors (Osachy, 2018).
Additionally, a study conducted by the University of Haifa in 2011 discovered that teenage girls who devote more time to social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram are exposed to an increased risk of developing eating disorders and cultivating negative body perceptions (Fred, n.d). These findings highlight the significant impact exerted by social media on our lives. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate both the advantages and disadvantages in order to ascertain whether it ultimately benefits or harms us.
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