Abstract
Social media has transformed how individuals interact with one another. It has become a powerful instrument that links people worldwide, allowing them to remain in touch and exchange ideas irrespective of physical distance. In today’s society, when physical distance is growing more widespread, social media has become an essential resource for many people and groups. The extensive use of social media has increased people’s social abilities. Social media sites enable people to communicate with one another, express their viewpoints and ideas, and develop connections. This study proposal looks at the impact of social media use on interpersonal relationships among young people, employing an extended mixed-methods approach that includes semi-structured continuing interviews to collect qualitative data.
Keywords: Social media, interpersonal relationships
Introduction
Research Background
Nowadays, the sheer amount of social networks is rapidly increasing. Social network developers have been competing to offer quality features. Security, interaction, socialization, or entertainment can all apply to this. Various communication devices, including PCs, mobile phones, and smartphones like iPhones and iPads, may be used to access the websites. Individuals can now participate without restriction anytime if they have an internet connection. Asian and African nations utilize social media more than the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe (DMI, 2021). This pattern highlights the growing significance of social media as a means of interaction and communication. Although social media is likely to improve social skills, it may also have negative consequences.
Social networking sites have made connecting easier for individuals without needing in-person contact. However, there has been fear that social media is erasing the core of human relationships. Social media enables people to interact with one another. Still, mainstream media only permits one-way contact. Individuals find it more liberating and comfortable to speak online rather than face-to-face because they fear they might greatly benefit from social media(Adam, 2018). Interpersonal connections are long-term associations between individuals based on emotions, social commitments, and regular contacts. Friendships, groups, acquaintances, family, companies, and churches, among other settings, may all foster ties. The distinction between the two is that society, law, and standard conventions determine and govern interpersonal relationships.
Social media may cause social isolation and retreat, which is one of its drawbacks. Individuals who rely heavily on social media for communication may overlook face-to-face encounters, which are critical for building and sustaining social skills. Furthermore, social media may facilitate the spread of disinformation and fake news, resulting in a breakdown of trust and the deterioration of social relationships. Social networking has transformed the notion of a ‘friend.’ Individuals evaluate themselves to others because of it, which usually makes them feel like “poor performers” and depresses them. Social media users’ personalities are impacted in addition to their interpersonal interactions and communication. People are becoming increasingly irritable and agitated due to social media. Because they worry they won’t be able to access what they see on social media devices the next day, many adults and teens get up in the middle of the night to check their phones. Based on this and my assumption, it has become evident that social media has adverse effects on how people handle interpersonal relationships, especially young adults.
Objectives of the Research
This study investigates the possible beneficial and negative impacts of social media use on young adults’ relationships and development across time. This study can offer theoretical direction and a practical reference base for research in adjacent topics. We wish policymakers and industry practitioners to take on more significant social duties, increase social media oversight and guidance, and encourage social media’s healthy growth.
Literature review
A preliminary evaluation of relevant research revealed that social media usage is crucial to developing a personal identity and interactions with individuals with similar sub-cultural interests.
Significance of the research
The study presented in this paper offers some theoretical direction and a valuable foundation for practical reference in related disciplines. In addition to shedding more light on the effects of social media, the author thinks that this research will encourage a more positive and well-rounded evolution of social media.
Research methods
Continuous self-report questionnaires will assess participants’ social media usage, fulfillment with relationships, and communication behaviors. A subset of participants will be chosen for longitudinal in-depth interviews, beginning at age 18 and lasting three years.
Timeline
The project will last two years, covering recruiting, data collecting, analysis, and report writing.
Implications and Expected Outcomes
This study sheds light on the complicated interaction involving social networking usage and interpersonal connections among young adults, with the potential to improve social policy and mental health assistance for social media users.
The connection between social media and interpersonal relationships
Interpersonal connections encompass familial ties, friendship, love, and professional interactions. Relationships are crucial for both physical and mental health, as well as overall quality of life. Socializing has altered as a result of the popularity of social media, which has significant implications for interpersonal relationships. In the new media period, social networks serve as a conduit for users and material, social media has amplified the voices of people across the globe, and social media sites have taken on a central role in disseminating public opinion. The emergence of social media offers individuals additional avenues and chances for social interaction and presents novel societal issues and obstacles. To encourage the healthy growth of social media and the beneficial interaction of interpersonal interactions, it is crucial to investigate the impact of social media on relationships between people.
How social media influence interpersonal relationships
Social media, through the internet and other online venues, offers individuals a very easy, accessible, and diverse social channel. Social networks, online forums, chat apps, and other platforms allow people to engage and connect with friends, family, and coworkers whenever and wherever they choose, which is highly advantageous for fostering interpersonal relationships. Social media may break geographical and temporal barriers, allowing for more versatile and in-depth user connections.
People may engage with people from many origins, vocations, and cultures through online contact, broadening their social circle and fostering the growth of interpersonal relationships while also eradicating prejudice and misunderstandings.
The impacts of social media on interpersonal relationships
Social media provides a means and forum for people to exchange thoughts, perceptions, experiences, and ideas. It is an essential component of daily existence for people. The way individuals socialize has significantly changed as a result. Additionally, it’s a fresh way to disseminate knowledge. In the past, a bridge—a go-between or middleman—was frequently required in connections between strangers. Positively, social media gives people access to various communication channels and encourages the growth and improvement of interpersonal relationships. People who use social media to remain in touch with others who live far away from them are more likely to have more diverse social networks.
Furthermore, social media allows individuals to express their ideas, emotions, and experiences to build mutual trust and understanding, strengthening interpersonal relationships. Once more, social media helps people’s support systems. Social media gives people a forum for mutual assistance and facilitates access to resources and information. Social media is a platform where people express their private lives and observations with one another, which makes it a place for mental health assistance and therapy.
Social media has several detrimental effects on people’s relationships. People may grow more lonely and nervous due to social media’s lack of genuine face-to-face connection, which decreases physical interaction. Second, there are issues with social media, like fake news and cyber violence, which will harm connections with other people. Furthermore, spending too much time on social media can make people neglect their close relationships and even cause interpersonal relationships to fall apart (0, 2022). Excessive use of social media, regardless of love status, can negatively impact quality time, cause conflict, and reduce relationship satisfaction.
Additional Prospects
The interaction between social media and interpersonal relationships is getting closer as it gains more and more traction. Social media will still have a significant impact on human connections in the future. Thus, further investigation and learning are required to enhance the relationship between social media and interpersonal relationships. It must reinforce the watchful eye of social media reliance, particularly among teens. Teens’ physical and emotional health may suffer due to their overuse of social media. Thus, to help teens use social media responsibly, the government and businesses must step up monitoring, provide scientific guidelines, and provide standards. Lastly, there is a need to investigate how social media and conventional socializing methods might work together. Every social media platform and traditional social method has benefits and drawbacks.
Conclusion
In this research, I’ve talked about how social media, particularly among young people, affects interpersonal relationships. After thoroughly examining network social platforms, I discovered that social media, to some extent, fosters the growth and development of interpersonal relationships and offers a variety of communication channels. However, it has certain drawbacks, such as the lack of genuine face-to-face interaction, which makes individuals feel more alone and nervous. In summary, social media’s impact on interpersonal relationships is a complex topic requiring in-depth analysis considering various variables. Legislators and business professionals must improve social media monitoring and advice, particularly regarding minors’ usage of the platform. In addition, users must maintain genuine in-person contact, prevent over-dependency, utilize social media responsibly, and increase their self-awareness.
References
Adam. (2018, February 13). Social Media and Its Impact on Interpersonal Relationships – Jarvee. Jarvee. https://jarvee.com/social-media-impact-interpersonal-relationships/
DMI, S. (2021, November 2). Social Media: What Countries Use It Most & What Are They Using? Digital Marketing Institute; Digital Marketing Institute. https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/social-media-what-countries-use-it-most-and-what-are-they-using
0. (2022, April 28). How does social media affect relationships? Medicalnewstoday.com; Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/social-media-and-relationships#negative-effects
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