Introduction
In today’s digital age, social media has become ubiquitous in young people’s lives. With the rise of social media platforms, young people find new ways to express themselves, connect with others, and engage with social and political issues. This term paper explored how young people engage with social media, including the types of content they create and consume, the social and political issues they are interested in, and the challenges they face when using social media. Additionally, this paper examined the potential benefits and drawbacks of youth engagement in social media, including its impact on mental health, social relationships, and political activism. Despite the many positive aspects of social media, such as its ability to facilitate communication and raise awareness about important issues, it is essential to recognize the potential risks and challenges associated with excessive social media use. As such, this paper highlights the need for responsible and healthy social media use practices and the importance of continued research and exploration of the complex relationship between social media and youth.
Types of Content Created and Consumed by Young People On Social Media
Youth generate and consume material on social media. Youth social media material is diverse. Teens express their thoughts, experiences, and creativity on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter.
Visual social media content is popular among young people. Photos, videos, and memes qualify. Young people express themselves through visual content. They also employ visuals to discuss social and political topics.
Music is another prominent social media item for youth. Young people discover new music and share their favourites on social media (Shah et al., 2023). Youth create and share short music videos on TikTok. Viral videos can affect the music industry. Youths consume news and information on social media. They get news through Twitter and Facebook (Rodrigues, 2018). They address significant subjects and stay current on these platforms. Young people watch movies, TV, and online series on social media. Youth watch their favourite shows and movies on YouTube and Netflix. These platforms help them find fresh material and connect with like-minded others.
Social and Political Issues That Young People Are Interested in On Social Media
Young people can now voice their political and social opinions on social media. Young people use social media to discuss and debate community and global concerns. Young people on social media care about:
Climate Change: Climate change worries young people. They promote climate change initiatives on social media.
Racial Justice: Since George Floyd’s death, youth have spoken out on social media about racial justice and police violence. They protest and campaign on social media (Boulianne & Theocharis, 2020).
LGBTQ+ Rights: Young people push for LGBTQ+ rights and build safe spaces on social media. They also use social media to advocate for equality policy and community issues.
Mental Health: Youth increasingly embrace social media to discuss mental health and promote awareness. They share their experiences, offer support, and advocate for mental health policies on social media.
Gun Control: Youth have used social media to advocate for gun control after multiple mass shootings. They organize rallies and promote change on social media.
Challenges Faced by Young People When Using Social Media
Young people face several issues on social media. Social media challenges for youth include:
Cyberbullying: Young people are often victims of social media cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can cause anxiety, depression, and suicide.
Addiction: Teens can spend hours on social media. This can cause poor time management, inattention, and obesity.
Privacy and Security: Social media networks collect user data for targeted advertising and identity theft. Young individuals may not comprehend social media privacy and security, placing them in danger of cyberattacks (Naslund et al., 2020).
Social Comparison: Young individuals who compare themselves to their classmates on social media may feel inadequate and have low self-esteem. Anxiety, despair, and social media pressure can result.
Internet Scams & Fraud: Phishing and phony giveaways might target youth. These scams can cost money and identity.
Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Social media can expose youth to violence, hate speech, and pornography. Such content can harm mental health.
Social media has many benefits, but young people suffer from cyberbullying, addiction, privacy and security difficulties, social comparison, inappropriate content, online scams and fraud. Parents, educators, and policymakers must address these issues and encourage responsible social media use among youth.
Potential Benefits and Drawbacks of Youth Engagement in Social Media
Youth engagement in social media can have both potential benefits and drawbacks. Here are some of the benefits and disadvantages of youth engagement in social media:
Benefits
Increased Connectivity: Social media provides a platform for young people to connect with others and build relationships, even across great distances. This can lead to a greater sense of community and social support.
Creative Expression: Social media allows young people to express themselves creatively through various forms of content, such as videos, photos, and written posts. This can promote creativity and self-expression.
Access to Information: Social media provides young people with a wealth of information on various topics (Naslund et al., 2020). They can use this information to learn about different perspectives and to stay informed about current events.
Political Engagement: Social media has become essential for young people to engage in political activism and advocacy. They can use social media to raise awareness about social and political issues, organize protests, and advocate for policy changes.
Drawbacks
Mental Health Issues: Young people who use social media excessively can experience adverse effects on their mental health, such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is a significant social media problem and can severely impact young people’s mental health and well-being.
Addiction: Social media use can be addictive, leading to poor time management skills, lack of focus, and physical health problems.
Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Young people may be exposed to inappropriate content on social media, such as violence, hate speech, and pornography.
Privacy and Security: Social media platforms collect personal data from users, putting young people at risk of identity theft and cyber-attacks (Naslund et al., 2020).
While youth engagement in social media has the potential for many benefits, such as increased connectivity, creative expression, access to information, and political engagement, it also has several drawbacks, including mental health issues, cyberbullying, addiction, exposure to inappropriate content, and privacy and security concerns. It is essential for young people to use social media responsibly and for parents, educators, and policymakers to promote the safe and responsible use of social media among young people.
Impact of Social Media Use On Mental Health
Social media use can have both positive and negative impacts on mental health. On the one hand, social media can provide social support, facilitate communication with loved ones, and access mental health resources. However, excessive social media use has been linked to negative impacts on mental health, such as increased anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Social media can also contribute to developing negative body image and low self-esteem, especially among young people. Additionally, cyberbullying and exposure to violent or disturbing content on social media can further exacerbate mental health issues. Therefore, individuals need to use social media responsibly. In moderation, and for parents, educators, and mental health professionals to promote safe and healthy social media use practices.
Impact of Social Media Use On Social Relationships
Social media can impact social relationships in both positive and negative ways. On the one hand, social media can facilitate communication and allow people to stay in touch with friends and family far away. Social media can also enable people to connect with others who share similar interests and values, forming new social connections. However, excessive social media use can lead to a decline in face-to-face interactions, resulting in feelings of isolation and loneliness. Social media can also contribute to misunderstandings and conflicts, primarily when people rely solely on online communication (Rodrigues, 2018). Additionally, social media can create unrealistic expectations and standards for social relationships, leading to feelings of inadequacy or dissatisfaction. Therefore, it is essential for individuals to use social media in moderation and to balance online interactions with face-to-face interactions to maintain healthy social relationships.
Impact of Social Media Use On Political Activism
Social media helps activists organize, mobilize, and campaign for social and political change. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have made spreading information and supporting causes efficient. Social media has mobilized young people, who are generally disengaged from politics. Social media allows underprivileged communities to tell stories and advocate for their rights (Rodrigues, 2018). Conversely, social media has been blamed for promoting “slacktivism”—passive activism that needs little work, such as sharing a post or signing an online petition. Social media may also disseminate misinformation and create “echo chambers” that polarize and divide people. Despite these difficulties, social media will continue to shape the political debate and advocacy (Hajli, 2014).
Conclusion
In conclusion, this term paper has explored the various ways young people engage with social media and the potential benefits and drawbacks of this engagement. The research has shown that social media can provide a platform for young people to express themselves, connect with others, and engage with social and political issues. However, excessive social media use can negatively impact mental health, social relationships, and political activism. Individuals need to use social media responsibly and in moderation and promote safe and healthy social media use practices for parents, educators, and mental health professionals. Additionally, further research is needed to explore the complex relationship between social media and youth and to develop effective strategies to mitigate potential risks and challenges. Overall, social media has the potential to be a powerful tool for positive change, and it is important to continue exploring its impact on young people and society as a whole.
References
Boulianne, S., & Theocharis, Y. (2020). Young people, digital media, and engagement: A meta-analysis of research. Social Science Computer Review, 38(2), 111-127. https://roam.macewan.ca/bitstreams/b56dc382-d7fd-4847-bcc8-d35985cbd484/download
Hajli, M. N. (2014). A study of the impact of social media on consumers. International journal of market research, 56(3), 387-404. https://www.academia.edu/download/51587712/Compressed-PDF.pdf
Naslund, J. A., Bondre, A., Torous, J., & Aschbrenner, K. A. (2020). Social media and mental health: benefits, risks, and opportunities for research and practice. Journal of technology in behavioural science, 5, 245-257. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41347-020-00134-x
Rodrigues, J. (2018). Smartphones: fundamentally reshaping today’s teenagers: iGen: Why today’s super-connected kids are growing up less rebellious, more tolerant, less happy: and completely unprepared for adulthood (Jean M. Twenge). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23753234.2018.1429223
Shah, D., Webster, E., & Kour, G. (2023). Consuming for content? Understanding social media-centric consumption. Journal of Business Research, 155, 113408.
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