Introduction
Social media has become the backbone of modern society, with people of all ages relying on it to stay connected with friends, family, and the world.. Social media has evolved into an essential component of today’s contemporary society (Bakker et al., 2020). Generation Z is particularly susceptible to the deceptive reality of social media and its propensity to produce a negative self-image, even though social media does have some positive aspects. Despite this, it is possible to make the case that social media can benefit younger generations by allowing them to interact with others who share their interests and by giving them a forum to remain educated about topical events and concerns.
Thesis statement: Although people of all ages rely on social media to stay connected, Generation Z is the most likely to develop a poor self-image because they are the most vulnerable to the false reality of social media.
Counter-Argument: Social media can also positively impact younger generations by providing them a platform to connect with like-minded people and express themselves. Social media can also allow young people to stay informed about current events and issues and promote healthy conversations and debates.
It is written all over the space that social media usage is particularly prevalent among younger generations. Ninety-one percent of Americans in Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) use social media, according to a poll of 5,200 young people conducted in 2019. (Vandewater, 2019). According to the same study, over two-thirds (66%) of this demographic’s daily smartphone time is devoted to social media (McDonald & Richardson, 2018). Worryingly, this trend seems to be most pronounced among members of Generation Z, indicating that this demographic is particularly vulnerable to social media’s “fake reality” and its potential for damaging their sense of self-worth.
Social media may harm young people’s self-perception, but it also can inspire them. A survey of 870 German teenagers in 2020 found, for instance, that social media sites like Facebook and Instagram help young people find community and a voice. (Mack et al., 2020). Social media also facilitates open dialogue and discussion amongst young people, keeping them abreast of important issues and events. For instance, young people have used social media to amplify the Black Lives Matter campaign and bring attention to issues of racial inequality to an extent never seen before. Younger groups are the most susceptible to the deceptive reality of social media and its potential to produce a lousy self-image; thus, the potential for positive influence.
Why social media is a two-sided coin
Social media today is a two-sided coin, as it can have both positive and negative effects on generations Z. One benefit is that it can assist young people in connecting with and communicating with people who share their hobbies and points of view. However, it could also result in an exaggerated sense of shame and self-importance. To prevent unforeseen effects, one must use social media cautiously (Bakker et al., 2020).
According to Georgetown University professor Cal Newport, people should avoid social media for emotional wellbeing. According to Newport, addiction can result from the dopamine-driven feedback loop of likes and comments, raising concern and reducing production. (Newport, 2018). He continues by saying that it can keep you from engaging in more essential activities, such as spending time with loved ones, learning new skills, or engaging in creative endeavors. Because of this, it is essential to maintain control and use social media in a way that does not jeopardize one’s mental wellbeing.
Young people are especially susceptible to the harm social media’s skewed reality can do to their sense of self. This is due to the idealized self-presentation that social media encourages, which can lead those who do not meet this standard to feel inferior and doubt themselves. Additionally, studies have shown that people who use social media more frequently engage in the “compare and despair” behavior, which is when someone has a wrong opinion of themselves after comparing their life to that of another person online. (Vandewater, 2019). Members of Generation Z are most at risk of encountering social media’s skewed reality and its potential to undermine one’s sense of self-worth.
Social media, on the other hand, can help teenagers by enabling them to discover groups of common interests and express their views. Additionally, young people can use social media to stay current on the news and have productive discussions about pressing issues. On social media, for instance, young people have provided the Black Lives Matter movement with unmatched support, using it to express their views and draw attention to problems with racial disparity. (Mack et al., 2020). This is an example of how social media can encourage beneficial change and communal equality.
Effect of social media among the young generation today
It is indisputable that social media has transformed the way today’s youth communicate and connect and the world. While it is true that social media has many positive effects, one of the biggest worries is the toll it may take on the self-esteem of today’s youth.
The possible dangers of social media, especially for millennials and Gen Z, are explored in depth in Cal Newport’s TED presentation “Why You Should Quit Social Media.” According to Newport, social media encourages users to present a romanticized and perfect image of themselves, which can cause failure and self-doubt in those who cannot attain the same degree of “perfection.” (Newport, 2018). According to Newport, social media users are more likely to participate in “compare and despair” behavior, in which they negatively evaluate themselves after comparing their circumstances to those of others online. Most at risk of experiencing the distorted truth of social media and its ability to damage one’s sense of self-worth are members of Generation Z. As a result, Newport contends, people should abandon social media to protect themselves from the dangers posed by the distorted reality it fosters.
Due to their excessive use of social media, members of Generation Z are at the most significant risk of developing a negative self-perception. (Newport, 2019). This is because users are shown a curated snapshot of perfection, which can trigger negative emotions like jealousy and inadequacy. (Bakker, et al., 2020). Low self-esteem and melancholy, for example, can result from a preoccupation with social media and the flawless lives of others. Moreover, because they are more apt to communicate with others online through “likes,” remarks, and the like, young people may be more vulnerable to cyberbullying and other forms of online abuse. (Newport, 2019).
On the other hand, social media helps today’s youth. (Rosen, 2019). Young people can find a community of people who share their interests and views on social media. In addition, social media can facilitate open dialogue and discussion amongst young people about important topics and current events. (Rosen, 2019). Teens’ emotional and psychological wellbeing may benefit from the feeling of community and acceptance that they find on social media.
The people who make up Generation Z may gain from social media in several different ways. To begin, it can serve as a forum where young people can meet others who share their interests and where they can freely articulate themselves. (Mack et al., 2020). In addition, it makes it possible for young people to keep up-to-date on current events and problems, making it easier for constructive conversations and discussions. Young people can receive assistance from others who are going through similar experiences through the use of social media, as well as have the opportunity to participate in significant conversations, share their thoughts on various subjects, and express their viewpoints on a variety of issues. In conclusion, social media can be helpful for networking and developing relationships, which can lead to valuable opportunities such as apprenticeships and employment offers. Lastly, social media can help communicate with other users.
Possible solutions
If we want to lessen the harm that could come from using social media, we need to teach the next generation how to recognize and avoid possible threats. There should be materials available to parents and teachers to assist them in instructing children on the internet safety and the dangers of social media.
Governments and other parties can take various steps to lessen the dangers that young people in Generation Z face on social media. First, they can pass laws and establish guidelines to shield children from online threats like cyberbullying. They can also collaborate with social media firms to implement censors to limit access to material deemed improper for users of a specific age range (Newport, 2019). In addition, they can launch initiatives to raise public knowledge about the significance of internet safety and the dangers that young people face when using social media. Last but not least, groups should promote good online behaviors among youth and educate them about the dangers of social media.
Conclusion
Finally, it is essential to note that social media has both good and bad impacts on today’s youth. Generation Z is particularly susceptible to social media distortions and, thus, to the resulting low self-esteem. The data indicate that young people should be conscious of the potential dangers of social media, even though it can also have beneficial effects by providing a place to interact with people who share their interests and keep up with current events and problems. I concur With Cal Newport’s argument that people should leave social media to avoid the potential damage of its false reality, which is particularly relevant for Generation Z.
Reference
Bakker, A., Vermulst, A., Overbeek, G., & van den Eijnden, R. (2020). Social media use and adolescent self-image: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Developmental Review, 56, 100473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2020.100473
Rosen, L. D. (2019). The impact of social media on the mental health and wellbeing of adolescents. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Children’s Literature. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190201098.013.446
Kross, E., Verduyn, P., Demiral, S. B., Park, J., Lee, D. S., Lin, N., & Ybarra, O. (2017). Social media use and perceived emotional support in adolescents: A large-scale cross-sectional study. Developmental Psychology, 53(10), 2032-2045.
McDonald, B., & Richardson, B. (2018). Social media use and mental health and wellbeing in New Zealand secondary school students. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1479), 73–86.
Mack, D., Kuchinke, L., Vater, A., & Rohmann, A. (2020). Social media use and its impact on adolescents’ wellbeing: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1-13.
Vandewater, E. (2019). Social and emotional impacts of young people’s digital media use. In E. Vandewater (Ed.), Social media and young minds (pp. 1-17). New York, NY: Routledge.
Newport, C. (2019, February 27). Why you should quit social media [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/cal_newport_why_you_should_quit_social_media/transcript
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