Is Social Networking Sites Good For Teenagers? Argumentative Essay Example

In the recent past, social networking has increasingly become a common tool of communication to both young and adult people. While other interpersonal Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) applications, such as e-mail, or Instant Messaging are used to communicate with mainly unknown people or to maintain a connection with existing friends, social networking sites (SNSs) are specifically used for maintaining contact with current friends and to develop new friendships (Lee et al. 14). Truly, SNSs are beneficial to teenagers help to develop quality friendships, provide teenagers the opportunity for psychosocial development and satisfy needs of attachment. In addition, they enhance the social self-esteem of teenagers. In the same vein, they are also a major cause of significant problems facing the youths such as poor education performance, development of anti-social behavior and promote cyberbullying. Trottier reports that Security attacks such as hacking, identity theft, and viruses and exposure to phishing scams are common via social media (Trottier 18). Therefore, social media poses significant adverse impacts on teenagers and influence their behavior and life.

Problem with Social Networking Sites in Teenagers

Social networking narcissism is on the rise among teenagers. The proliferation of social networking platforms has culminated to cultural, social and civil changes and heavily impacted on the young people. Narcissism has become a significant topic of concern, and fear arises that the platforms turn teenagers into narcissists. Questions on whether the social media enhances or distracts self-esteem along with promoting narcissistic behavior have been the center of concern in attempts to address narcissism behavior that is affecting many teenagers. Arguably, the explosion of the technology has been an innovative step that has significantly revolutionized the world while at the same time saw the emergence of narcissism character.

Impact of Social Networking Sites on the Teenagers

Indeed, social networks are an ideal place where narcissist behavior showcase itself in many youths. Studies show that many teenagers with narcissistic traits are significantly drawn to networking sites. Again, psychologists report that social media is associated with narcissistic tendencies and confirm that they negatively impact the lives of youths who care about their image (Lee et al. 10). Fresh findings affirm that there is an association between narcissism and activities on social media. For example, Trottier in his study stipulates that many youths post their photos and status on the social networks to get approval from others. He further states that "social networks such as Facebook are believed to be an ideal platform for these people" (Trottier 7). Youths get access to larger audience and thus post information purposed at self-promotion and meticulously cultivate their image. Trottier ascertains that social networking sites to be an ideal breeding ground for narcissists (Trottier 9).

The proponents of social networking argue that these platforms are essential as they help youths to keep in touch. Facebook, for example, has got approximately one billion users in the world and majority of them are youths who get connected through a network of friends. Networking sites are readily available on every electronic gadget, and this makes it easier for anyone to quickly access it at fingertips either through the use of a computer, tablet or a phone for interaction. Undoubtedly, modernization has made every electronic device available in the market to accommodate varieties of social media (Dunbar). Applications like Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn, and even the video chats such as the Skype and WhatsApp are installed in the electronic devices. There is no doubt that social media has enabled young people to keep in touch and maintain long-distance relationships. Most people agree that social networking sites have allowed users to connect with people in a way they never would before (Orenstein). Orenstein reports that the quality of friendship in online sites increased as time passed and it improved much better than offline relationships if these lasted longer than a year (Orenstein).

Teenagers also get an opportunity for psychosocial development. The study by Lee et al. indicates that SNSs provide opportunities for adolescent psychosocial development especially identity development. This is because, through SNSs, teenagers enjoy social connectivity and identity development, sociability and self-esteem based on the nature of the feedback they receive from the sites (Lee et al. 9). However, the easiness that comes with the accessibility to the networks through the electronic devices like laptop, phones, and tablets weaves the lives of the youths in a way that culminates into fundamental problems. They have made youths create problems with their realities and affected their interpersonal relationships.

SNSs satisfy needs of attachment and the need for belonging. Bonding with others has been going on in close circles since the old days. But with internet and social networking sites, relationships are formed with individuals that one has never met. Studies show that with more social skills and support loneliness decreases. The study by Ozad and Gulen demonstrates that people make use of social networking sites to fulfil the basic need of belonging and attachment (Ozad and Uygarer). Social networking sites are popularly supported by smartphones and other tools. It proves that social networking sites provide positive support for communicating online and developing a friendship in this age group. Social Networking sites increase the well-being and self-esteem of individuals. This study by Lee et al. shows that social networking sites are used to facilitate studying, forming new relationships, engaging in self-presentation, looking at photos and user profiles of other people, commenting on messages posted by others (Ozad and Gulen 14). These activities allow individuals to reduce loneliness and satisfy their emotions, access to information and increasing ones well-being. Disclosing his or her identity will receive social support, and it promotes a better connection. Lee et al. study also show that teenagers self-esteem is affected by the tone of the feedback that they receive. Around 78% always received positive feedback (Lee et al.).

Instant Messaging and social networking claim to solve that problem by allowing us to talk to as many people as we like, all at the same time (Dunbar). Children and teenagers make use of this privilege. Despite the terms of service of Facebook restricting its use to those aged 13 or older, there are about 7.5 million younger children also have accounts (Lee et al. 9). The sense of fitting in, finding comfortable affiliations and gaining acceptance from peers are the key factors to develop ones identity. It has been found that childhood friendships are rooted in shared interests and activities, close friendships in teenage years involve trust and loyalty. SNSs provide areas for support and communication that enables peer relationships. In addition, these sites provide new opportunities and new challenges to express their identity to the world. The use of social networking sites might enable the teenagers development of self-identity by disclosure. The teenagers engage in selective self-presentations online, decide to affiliate with likeminded people online. This is not probable in face-to-face interaction.

Admittedly, despite the positive impacts, using the internet and SNSs leads to adverse effects such as online bullying. One of the experts, Bazelon reports in his 2013 article that it is true that teenagers encounter some negative experience, but the viciousness is increasing (Bazelon). The use of social networking sites complicates the parent-child relationship as the social networking sites interfere with everyday tasks. Overuse of social networking sites leads to internet addiction, sleep disturbance, and academic disturbance. There is also the possibility of becoming the victim of cyberbullying and internet predators. The students who have access to digital tools do not take time to think how their words would affect another person.

Solution to the Problem of Narcissism Arising From Social Networking

The negative effects that have been discussed on the impacts of social media on narcissism call for immediate solutions to save the youths from this problem. Teenagers have to limit the amount of time that they spend on social media. On the contrary, more time should be spent with family members and friends to reconnect with them and build on the personal relationship. The simplest way that will ensure that youths stop wasting time online is to monitor their schedule and time on social sites. Teenagers have to focus on information on social networks that are productive and relevant to their personal life. It should be used for professionals, connecting, and finding employment and business opportunities. This should substitute the posting of personal information which impacts on private life. Youths should also limit their membership to social sites and groups.

Teenagers have to prioritize their life and understand what is important in life and what is not. Much time should not be spent on updating profiles and forget about other important factors such as reading, exercising and spending time with friends and families. Perhaps, youths should stop procrastination of issues and get their work done. When one procrastinates, the time that would have been used for productive purposes is wasted in networking. Perhaps, educating the youth on the dangers of social media addition will be a fundamental factor in solving the problem of narcissism. When this is done, it will create awareness and lead to a reduction in social networking among the youths.

Works Cited

Bazelon, Emily. How to stop the bullies, The Atlantic, 2013, https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/03/how-to-stop-bullies/309217/

Dunbar, Robin. You Gotta have (150) Friends., NY Times, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/26/opinion/26dunbar.html

Lee, Kyung-Tag, et al. "Lonely People Are No Longer Lonely on Social Networking Sites: The mediating role of self-disclosure and social support, Mediating Role of Self-Disclosure and Social Support." Cyberpsychology, Behavior & Social Networking, vol. 16, no. 6, June 2013, pp. 413-418. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1089/cyber.2012.0553.

Orenstein, Peggy. I Tweet, Therefore I Am., NY Times, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/magazine/01wwln-lede-t.html

Ozad, Bahure Efe and Uygarer, Gulen . "Attachment Needs and Social Networking Sites." Social Behavior & Personality: An International Journal, vol. 42, 2014 Supplement, pp. 43-52. EBSCOhost, doi:10.2224/sbp.2014.42.0.S43.

Trottier, D. Interpersonal Surveillance on Social Media. Canadian Journal Of Communication, 37(2). http://dx.doi.org/10.22230/cjc.2012v37n2a2536. 2012