Running Head: NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA UTILIZATION
Negative Impacts of Social Media Utilization
Prajesh Karki
Department of Business, Evergreen Valley College
BUS 71-202: Legal Environment of Business
Professor Emon Graves
July 5, 2020
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NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA UTILIZATION
Negative Impacts of Social Media Utilization
Social platform describes an innovative computer-based technology that provides a
platform on which ideas, thoughts on several issues, and communication are shared through
virtual networks and communities. Engagement with social media entails the use of computers,
smartphones, and tablets. Following its development, social media has been changing and
evolving with time, making it user friendly and available for access and utilization by various
individuals (Siddiqui & Singh, 2016).
Summary of the Article on Negative Impacts of Social Media Usehttps://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-02-10/more-evidence-links-socialmedia-use-to-poorer-mental-health-in-teens
A report was produced recently by HealthDay news suggesting that teens and adult
utilization of social platform tools such as facebook, tweeter, instagram, and whatsApp were
more likely to have detrimental impacts on the individuals' mental health growth and
development (Allcott, Braghieri, Eichmeyer & Gentzkow, 2020).
Doctor Elia Abi-Jaoude, a psychiatrist at Toronto western hospital, spoke emphasizing
that parents, teachers, and families should take the responsibility and work together to minimize
the harmful effects which he attributes to access and utilization of social platforms (Ebadifar &
Keith, 2017). The latter includes the deterioration of relationships, loss of oneself, poor
academic performance, and loss of emotional well-being. The report compiled several cases of
teens being admitted to hospitals over suicidal thoughts and claims. The study further hinted that
individuals who continuously engage in social networks were vulnerable to contrary acts,
including envy and insecurity concerns about their general status. Abi-Jaoude and his colleagues
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further deduced that kids and teens should be restricted from accessing smartphones emphasizing
that such gadgets should primarily be used for educative purposes.
Issue
Was Doctor Abi-Jaode's claim on the restriction of smartphones and other gadgets that
can be used to access social media platforms by children and teenagers, right?
Rules
Social networks platforms have been proven to have detrimental impacts on individuals, mostly
affecting children and teenagers. The use of social platforms is emphasized as long as its use has
positive outcomes beneficial to users. The utilization of social networks may be considered in
terms of the positive impacts it has on individuals and the adverse outcomes associated with its
use to individuals. If the claims regarding the use of social platforms as having adverse outcomes
to individuals lack enough support, then the claim can be termed as invalid. However, if
individuals claim to be fully benefiting from social networking, then the claims regarding its
negativity can be termed negligible.
Analysis
Generally, the claims of social platforms having adverse outcomes on individuals can be ignored
as compared to the benefits associated with social networks. However, following the research
carried out by Doctor Abi-Jaoude and his colleagues, it is beyond doubt that the utilization of
these social platforms has more adverse impacts than the positive outcomes brought about by the
use of these platforms. Considering the situation, the various negative impacts resulting from the
utilization of these platforms as deduced by the medical team were listed and explained further in
details to support the claims the negativities include;
Depression, Anxiety, and Stress
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Social media has brought about numerous positive impacts that are worth appreciating.
Additionally, addiction and excess use of the communication platform has brought lots of the
adverse effects (Allcott, Braghieri, Eichmeyer & Gentzkow, 2020). Social platform overuse
contributes to depression, anxiety, and mental stress. Increased use of social media handles has
been proven to have detrimental effects on one's health concerns and status as it influences weak
mental health growth and development. Social platforms entirely engage the entire globe, with
every individual showcasing the different lifestyles and the luxurious lives they are living.
Comparing other individuals' achievements with one's lifestyle, which may not meet optimum
standards, is likely to lower self-esteem and, consequently, contribute to depression.
Effects on Sleeping Patterns
Social network overuse and addiction pose detrimental impacts on our bodies and health
in general as it interferes with the standard sleeping patterns. Artificial lighting produced by
electronic gadgets such as mobile phones and laptops is quite harmful to humans' public health.
It results in the human body's inability to produce melatonin hormone, which is essential for
causing sleep (Siddiqui & Singh, 2016).
Poor Time Management
Social platforms use also has detrimental consequences on time management. Increased
use of the social network has been proved to consume more time, which could be channeled
towards other productive activities and thus promote individual development (Park & Sung,
2017). Employees in the workplace, organizations, and institutions have also developed the
addictive habit of regularly checking their social network accounts during the crucial working
hours. The user’s concentration on their devices may shift their focus to attaining the
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organizational set goals. Repeated misuse of gadgets with time may result in low productivity
and losses as well.
Effects on Critical Thinking and Decision Making
Social platforms also affect individuals’ way of thinking independently and decision
making. Spending more time on social platforms consumes more time, making the involved
persons more concentrated and informed on other issues other than engaging in practices aimed
at self-development and improvement (Siddiqui & Singh, 2016). The internet, which provides
answers to almost all solutions, hinders the involvement of the mind in thinking and offering
solutions to the issues at hand. The latter has adverse impacts on individuals, especially learners,
and may, in a way, interfere with the thinking process.
Loss of Human Connection
Social platform use has also increased seclusions and hindered real-life conversations,
thus breaking the human connection. Nowadays, individuals communicate their ideas over
mobile phones to express their negative and positive emotions making it hard to engage in
conversations with real persons. The latter has resulted in the loss of meaning bonds and
relationships (Siddiqui & Singh, 2016).
Cyber Bullying Cases
The other detrimental impact of social platform entails cyberbullying. Cases of
cyberbullying are being reported daily. The latter involves the use of social media to abuse other
individuals. The practice as well forms the basis on which other individuals are humiliated,
harassed, and underestimated. The various methods which fuel the act include sharing nasty
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rumors, discouraging, abusive comments, and sharing private messages (Siddiqui & Singh,
2016).
Effects on Drugs and Substance abuse
Social network use, as well as promotes drugs, alcohol, and substance abuse. Drugs are
nowadays portrayed in almost all social platforms in positive and enticing ways. Pictures and
videos posted on social platforms showing people abusing drugs makes drug and substance
abuse appear healthy developing curiosity among individuals and consequently, causing them to
engage in drug use (Kim, Marsch, Hancock & Das, 2017)
Ways which can control the detrimental Outcomes of Social Network use
The adverse outcomes brought about by the use of social media can, however, be
managed and effectively minimized. The several measures which can significantly improve the
situation entail; individuals should develop consciousness and be mindful of their social media
habits and patterns. The latter involves monitoring the information one shares on social network
accounts (Wakefield & Wakefield, 2018).
Monitoring the Impacts Resulting from the use of Social Platform Tools
Individuals should as well identify the negative consequences associated with the
utilization of social platform interactions such as lowering their self-esteem, causing depression
as well as anxiety and thus react accordingly.
Allocating Time for Social Platform Use
People should also consider the amount of time spent on social networks and plan
effectively on the appropriate times to access such platforms. The rest of the time can be
allocated for self-development and improvement (Park & Sung, 2017).
Use of Social Network for Beneficial Purposes
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Individuals should use social platforms effectively to connect and interact with people
who inspire them and share common goals and interests (Wakefield & Wakefield, 2018). The
latter is likely to have positive impacts on the brain development, strengthen relationships, and
facilitate social integration.
Conclusion
The claims regarding the use of social platforms to have detrimental effects as opposed to the
benefits may be hard to establish, considering that individuals claim to be fully benefitting from
the social networks. However, the claims could be considered valid, considering the factors listed
as having been studied, researched, and applied to individuals yielding forth the various
outcomes explained above as per Doctor Abi-Jaoude and his team. Individuals should, therefore,
devise the necessary means which would prove the use of social networks beneficial.
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References
Allcott, H., Braghieri, L., Eichmeyer, S., & Gentzkow, M. (2020). The welfare effects of social
media. American Economic Review, 110(3), 629-76.
https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/social-media-addiction/
Ebadifar, B., & Keith, D. O. (2017). Parental Sharing on the Internet Child Privacy in the Age of
Social Media and the Pediatrician’s Role.
https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/social_media
Kim, S. J., Marsch, L. A., Hancock, J. T., & Das, A. K. (2017). Scaling up research on drug
abuse and addiction through social media big data. Journal of medical Internet
research, 19(10), e353.
https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/social-media-addiction/
Park, J. Y., Im, I., & Sung, C. S. (2017). Is social networking a waste of time? The impact of
social network and knowledge characteristics on job performance. Knowledge
Management Research & Practice, 15(4), 560-571.
https://www.wired.com/insights/2015/02/is-social-media-a-waste-of-time/
Siddiqui, S., & Singh, T. (2016). Social media its impact on positive and negative aspects.
International Journal of Computer Applications Technology and Research, 5(2), 71-75.
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm
Wakefield, L. T., & Wakefield, R. L. (2018). Anxiety and ephemeral social media use in
negative eWOM creation. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 41, 44-59.
https://online.king.edu/news/how-to-combat-the-negative-effects-of-social-media/
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