How many times a day do you look down at a bright, luminous screen? According to a recent study done by the Nielsen-funded Council for Research Excellence (CRE), the average American spends 8 ½ hours a day looking down at screens. These screens are comprised of technological advances such as computers, tablets, and phones. Technology and in particular, social media, is an exponentially growing phenomenon in society today and there is no doubt that these advances have benefited the human species as a whole. However, social media is also an extremely addictive product and is negatively impacting the development of the younger generation. 

Throughout my entire life I’ve grown up surrounded by technology and the social networking sites that come with these devices. As humans, we naturally want more and are almost never satisfied, resulting in a competitive environment. This competitive environment drives society forward and propels evolution among our species. This competitive environment gave rise to the technology I grew up around and there are certainly benefits to these advances. However, the exponential growth in technology and the success that came with it actually began to eradicate the same competitive nature that gave rise to its own success. Humans now spend more than 33% of their days solely looking at their phone, computer, or tablet (CRE). Therefore, if the other 33% is designated for sleep, then the majority of an individual’s day is no longer work; it is breaks from work to check sites such as Instagram, Facebook, or Snap-Chat. 

This negative impact is occurring most significantly with adolescents’ social development and the connections the younger generation shares with others. Due to increased “screen time” this generation has severely tarnished communicative skills and can connect with others online through social networking sites, but not tangibly in real life. Ideas and issues such as body shaming, addiction, psychiatric disorders, civic disengagement, technology in the classroom, and loss of communicative skills are all negative influences on an adolescent’s social development. By looking at these negative influences we can see the inflated amount of tribulations produced by social media abuse among the younger generation. These complications appear to occur most significantly throughout young adults, rather than the rest of social networking sites’ users. This is important because the developing brain is exceptionally sensitive and negative influences from social media abuse can produce severe difficulties for an individual. These difficulties then diminish an individual’s social impact and involvement and negatively effect their overall health. 

The brain is a very complicated mechanism responsible for managing everything pertaining to our physical and emotional security. Social media is constantly breaching this sanctuary and more often than not in a destructive manner. AsapScience, an online informatory group, helped explain how social media is breaching this sanctuary through their viral video, “5 Crazy Ways Social Media Is Changing Your Brain Right Now”. Of the five topics in the video, four were negative and only one was a positive aspect involved with social media use. According to AsapScience, social media releases dopamine in the brain, similarly to a drug, instigating an addiction to the applications in use. This results in an immense crowd of users unable to log off or walk away from their technological device. This is the same psychological disorder found in drug addicts and sparks major concern for social media use among adolescents. On the opposite side of this argument, pro-social media affiliates may argue that this addiction is one that is positive since social media is connecting the user with the rest of his/her so called “community”. However, this connection is solely through the Internet and no community strives off of online support and interaction, they strive off of palpable actions and an actual effort exerted from the members of the community to work towards a common goal. 

Evidently, social media use isn’t all that society has made it out to be. Adolescents are being trapped in an online world and cannot genuinely connect with the rest of the world. The addictive traits associated with the online applications are being found in adolescents, rather than adults. This is simply because the sites have not even been around long enough for older generations to have been effected as substantially. Older individuals developed their brains and learned through practical experiences, whereas younger generations are currently attaching themselves to social media and new technologies, increasing their dependency and limiting their abilities. The New American, a contemporary news site, recently studied the issue and stated that, “youth delve into a communication pipeline that can glamourize fame, fortune, and image,” which in affect gives rise to a “concern over a lack of moral development.” Their studies showed that nearly 60% of children aged 11-16 use the popular social media application, Snapchat, on a daily basis. This is merely one application, in one age group, mounting concerns of the amount of social media children are exposed to and the “fame, fortune, and image” it glamorizes. Supporters of social media use among adolescents state that this glamorization is beneficial since the young adult has a role model to look up to and strive to be. This blasphemous thinking will only lead to low self-esteem and independent issues among the individuals. The younger generation should be taught to think for themselves, be who they are, and forget about meaningless rubbish like fame and fortune, and strive for happiness instead. This is ultimately how social media is negatively effecting youth social development and why society should be concerned. 

The number one issue relating to social media and the negative effects it has on youth social development is the lack of communication and connectivity with others. To be “socially well/healthy” or have success in a social environment means to develop and maintain positive working relationships with other people. The tools necessary to achieve this include both good communication skills and an ability to connect with individuals within a community/society. The Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology published a study done on the effect of social network sites on adolescents' social and academic development. The study states, “Undoubtedly, social media platforms such as social networking sites alter how communication happens.” This is an undisputed fact of the new millennial era, however, controversies surface regarding if this alteration of communication is beneficial or disadvantageous. Social media effect experts; Subrahmanyam and Greenfield, of the Journal “observe that the lines between the virtual and real world [are] increasingly blurred for youth today” and “consequently, the virtual world serves as a playing ground for developmental issues from the physical world”. Before the rise of such social media “playing grounds” parties would settle their disputes and developmental concerns by physically communicating with each other, rather than hiding behind a screen at home. Adolescents who face particular developmental issues while growing up are evidently turning to social media to address these issues, which in return eliminates the practical experience their brain must be familiar with in order to understand how to cope with concrete situations. 

Although there is an extensive amount of research to support this theory of connectivity, encompassing the idea that practical experiences are necessary for youth social development, there are still pro-media groups who are in opposition to this theory. These contradictory individuals promote intense social media use among young adults, arguing that through these outlets the minors can connect with more people. This argument revolves around social media’s ability to reach almost all corners of the Earth and the online users in any area code. Kelly Wallace of The Cable News Network (CNN) wrote, “The Upside of Selfies: Social Media Isn't All Bad For Kids”, promoting the positives of social media use among adolescents. Wallace used a survey done by Common Sense Media, which found that “one in five teens said social media makes them feel more confident” and additionally, “28% said social networking made them feel more outgoing.” These numbers are certainly not detrimental to her argument, however, when broken down, the study does not necessarily improve her stance. The incredible flaw with her argument is the very evidence in which she uses for support. Common Sense Media is a quite biased source since the organization strives on the business of social media and the enormous amount of adolescent users. Additionally, the adolescents being surveyed may feel social media is crafting them into more outgoing, independent individuals; however, in reality their viewpoints are irrelevant. This may sound harsh but the truth of the matter is that adolescents are becoming addicted to social media, so clearly they’re viewpoint will also be subjective. The children may believe the applications increase their sociability, but really the opposite affect is occurring. The “addicts” may be outgoing online but in reality their communication and connectivity with others is at an all time low.

The lack of connectivity and inability to communicate with others is an immense negative of social media abuse among adolescents. So immense that another negative, civic disengagement derives from this fatal flaw. Citizens of legal age, 18 in America, have the right to vote and elect governing bodies to represent their specific communities. In order for the whole of these communities to be accurately represented, civic engagement among civilians is required. Although the majority of adolescents are not of legal age to engage in the voting process, this majority will consist of legal voters soon enough and they should be adequately informed about the politics surrounding them. Unfortunately, there has been an extreme decrease in informed, engaged adolescents and it has been directly linked with the increase in social networking sites and the younger generation’s use of these networks. Those in opposition to this theory apparently think that, “the Internet may reduce the costs of participation (time, effort) by increasing the availability of information”, according to T&F Online’s study; “Does Internet Use Affect Engagement?” These groups of people then conclude that more adolescents are civically engaged due to this availability of information and the little to no cost of participation. 

This may seem like a reasonable philosophy, however, the truth of the matter is that adolescents are becoming more civically disengaged, regardless of this extreme availability. The logic behind this truth is that “participants fear that because citizens do not have complete information regarding government achievements and because public criticism of government policies and procedures is common, citizen participation could be very negative (Science Direct).” In other words, adolescents may use governmental applications and/or get involved with political issues on social media; however, they are only using them for destructive purposes. Dr. Sergio Picazo-Vela of the Universidad de las Américas Puebla and published on Science Direct, found that these destructive purposes “include using profanity or complaining about government procedures instead of being constructive.” As a result, he concluded “this could create an inhospitable environment for users of the social network.” In basic summary, there is an increased amount of social networking sites and usage of these sites among adolescents. This usage may include governmental applications and/or political involvement online but this involvement is both diminutive and purely destructive. The younger generation is being drawn away from political discussion due to social media outlets and when they are drawn back in it is to criticize and condemn government. Their social development is therefore suffering since rather than attempting to find solutions and support their communities; these young adults are either civically disengaging online or engaging to mock. 

The social development of an adolescent’s brain is quite complicated and can be effected by many aspects, not the least of which being the addictive qualities linked to social media abuse. Danny Bowman was only 19 when he committed suicide because of his obsession with taking ‘selfies’ (Alternet.org). This tragedy illustrates the tremendous need for concern with social media abuse among adolescents. Danny Bowman was so addicted to social media that he felt ending his life was a better solution than continuing on with his addiction. For many the idea of social media addiction is a myth, however, little Danny Bowman eradicates this irrational thinking. 

Scholarly organizations and sources such as Alternet.org have studied the effects of social media use on youth social development in order to avoid cases like Danny Bowman. According to their findings “70% of teenagers age 12-17 spend time on a social media site in a typical day, which amounts to 17 million teenage users. Those that interact via social media on a daily basis are five times likelier to use tobacco, three times likelier to use alcohol, and twice as likely to use marijuana.” The same chemical released from the brain when drugs and alcohol are in effect, dopamine, is being released when individuals use social media sites. In addition, “those exposed to pictures of drugs and alcohol are more inclined to seek and experiment with it themselves.” These heightened probabilities are undoubtedly a severe concern for the social development of these adolescent consumers, since drugs and alcohol are unquestionably negative for not only a developing brain, but also any being in general. Dr. Charles Sophy, a psychiatrist and Medical Director for the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, states, “People are genetically predisposed to use excessive amounts of potentially harmful tools to self soothe.” The doctor goes on to say that social media is one of these harmful tools that more and more people are excessively using and as a result are becoming addicted to, similar to any other addictive drug. This is one of the most critical influences social networking sites are having on youth social development and clearly portrays the negative effects of the applications. 

In addition to the addictive problems associated with social media and the increased likelihood of drug abuse, there is also evidence to support an intense inclination in youth psychiatric disorders due to these sites. The 70% minimum of teenagers spending time on social media everyday are logging into applications such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to accept their problems and communicate those problems to others, however, never attempt to resolve these issues. Dr. Jim Taylor of The Huffington Post writes that the “ease and frequency that technology affords children to communicate allows them to “co-ruminate,” that is, dwell on their problems without providing any solutions.” For example, children and teenagers of present-day spend time posting online about the problems going on in their life, when they could be using that time to actually find remedies to these problems. This is having a very negative effect on their social development since they will have no experience solving their own problems, therefore, develop an intense dependency on social media, and be exceedingly less independent then older generations. 

Dr. Taylor also explored the positives social media may have on youth social development and although there was substantially less evidence, he did find opposing viewpoints. The main argument in contradiction of social media’s negative effect on youth development is that “shy children can use social media to overcome what is perhaps their most difficult challenge, namely, initiating new relationships, in a low-risk environment.” In addition, “introverted children can also practice social skills with the relative distance and safety afforded by social media.” The hitch in this argument is that these children are “practicing social skills with [a] relative distance,” therefore, never actually concretely communicating with others or gaining any real social skills. Furthermore, these children will increase their chances of social media addiction and alternative psychiatric disorders. The Post included a comprehensive study that found “among young adults, Facebook overuse was also associated with Histrionic Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Sadistic, Passive-Aggressive, Borderline, Paranoid, and Somatoform Personality Disorders.” These disorders, along with anxiety and multiple other unhealthy behaviors, all fall under a phenomenon coined “Facebook Depression.” The term is simply a name for the list of psychiatric disorders that are increasing among adolescents due to their abuse of social media sites, such as Facebook. 

Similarly to “Facebook Depression”, issues related to body shaming online have been an increasingly negative impact on adolescents’ social development. Psychology In Action established that social media “users frequently engage in selective self-presentation strategies to portray an “ideal self” through social media,” also known as body shaming. This is tremendously concerning in terms of the effect it has on adolescents’ social development because “it can trigger a sense of exclusion, envy, and loneliness,” which in return “has also been associated with mental health problems.” Evidently, body shaming on online social networking sites is crucial to an individual’s self-esteem and is having an exceptionally negative effect on the younger generation. The depressive symptoms accompanying this occurrence are disconnecting youths from their peers and giving “rise to a growing obsession with impression management and self-presentation online.” As a result, adolescents will be ill equipped for a successful social life and be damaged mentally during the developmental stage of their sociability. 

Another influence of social media on youth social development is the integration of such technologies within the classroom. There are some scholars who argue that the incorporation of social networking sites into the classroom is actually beneficial towards a youth’s social development. One such scholar is Paul A. Tess from the University of Minnesota’s Department of Educational Psychology. Tess published “The Role of Social Media In Higher Education Classes,” disputing the benefits of such applications. Tess found through a study of 136 faculty members that “social networks were viewed as a useful tool for improving student satisfaction (32%) and increasing student to student interaction (56%).” Additionally, “ease of use, usefulness, and compatibility were the primary determinants of attitudes” when conducting the study. Tess’s results clearly show that social media within the classroom is adored by students and may increase their interaction. However, it has been made clear that these same students are most likely using these sites everyday and are also probably addicted to them. Therefore, implementing social media within their classrooms supports this addiction and even fuels it. Social media is noticeably having a negative effect on these students’ social development since they are only interacting within the classroom when social media is involved. If social media is integrated into the classroom then adolescent students will relentlessly be abusing their time spent on the sites and eventually will never be looking up from the addictive applications. 

If social media really was integrated into the classroom, the horrific abuse of time spent on these social networking sites would negatively effect them overtime. The principal reason for this is the fact that our brains develop based on the knowledge we attain through learning. If social media is part of this learning process and used to teach developing young teens, then these individuals will never learn practically, therefore, requiring social media to be involved in every learning experience those individuals have for the rest of their lives. Another crucial detriment to social media within the classroom is the undeniable fact that students will use the sites for purposes not related to the subject matter. After Tess surveyed his peers, “of all the uses identified, communication regarding coursework was least on the list. [As a result], the faculty was less likely to support Facebook as an instructional tool,” illustrating why social media cannot and should not be used for teaching. Lastly, it is the older generations that must teach the younger generations, however, adolescents are the experts on social networking sites since they are the first to grow up surrounded by such technologies. Therefore, it would be extremely difficult to use social media in the classroom due to professors’ failure to operate the applications and the student’s lack of respect for faculty because of this inability. This is ultimately why social media is negatively impacting youth social development when integrated into the classroom. 

All of these aspects, ranging from psychological issues to addictive behaviors to technology in the classroom, are all crucially effecting adolescents’ social development. However, the individual doesn’t need statistics or surveys to realize that adolescents are drastically changing, and not for the better. The next time you walk down the street look up and watch all of the people passing you. I guarantee the majority of people will be staring down at a small, luminous, addictive smart phone. The most depressing part about this is not that they are looking down and using this product, it is how they are using the product. The mass of people will admit to scrolling through hundreds of social media feeds with no purpose at all. These passive users of such applications are the people that are passing you on the road right now, and maybe they even scrolled through your newsfeed, however, the true connection they could have experienced with you was just lost, and they have no clue. These interactions are how societies flourish and people grow close, but they are being completely eliminated through social media and technology. 

We are all aware that these resourceful inventions have helped the evolution of our species tremendously, yet the way in which society is attaching itself to these devices needs to change. Social media is ironic in itself because the consumers of these sites are actually becoming extremely less sociable. The evidence is shown through the only generation that grew up completely surrounded by technology and the media. I have witnessed these problems arise throughout my entire life and I too am guilty of the addiction that comes with these networks. However, if I am willing to change, then I know others will be too. Relationships, connectivity, love, and communication are the most important aspects of our social lives and govern how we feel. These aspects must come through real interactions with others, not through a message board online. Social media is negatively effecting the social development of adolescents, however, this negativity can certainly be reversed.  
