Essay on Social Media

Online social media sites may be defined as a group of internet-based applications which allow the users to create or exchange information. Currently, with the rapid development of science and technology, online social media sites are becoming an indispensable part in the life of young people. Some people believe that social networking sites are having a negative influence on the behavior of the young people. However, proponents of using online social media sites are convinced that it encourages young people to relate to each other more effectively. Online social media sites have many positive effects on wide connectedness, social interaction and sexual health communication of young people.

It is argued that social networking sites have several detrimental impacts on the ways young people interact with others. Websites on the internet are unlikely to be safe places to share personal information and users often have to contact with unwanted information, abusive messages which is posted on condition of anonymity (Mathews & Cameron, 2011). In spite of some claimed negative effects, unlimited connection is offered by online social media sites that attract young people and facilitate their interaction. Without distance and time, it helps young people stay connected to others more regularly (Mathews & Cameron, 2011). Just by some simple clicks through social networking sites, they can send messages, chat or share information and photos easily. It is clear that they do not need to worry about losing touch with their friends and family who live far away (, 2001). Therefore, promoting wide connectedness is likely to be one of the most beneficial impacts of online social media sites on the communication of young people.

Another crucial effect of social networking sites on young people is increasing social interaction. Online social media sites can strengthen relationships among young people because they feel more confident to unburden their secrets which are too difficult to say face to face (Mathews & Cameron, 2011). Moreover, they can discuss their debt on social networking sites. The communication through internet-based services may be done more privately than in real life (Mathews & Cameron, 2011; Rainie & Wellman, 2012). Furthermore, social networking sites also help young people around the world make many new friends and develop social relationships better by meeting online (Mathews & Cameron, 2011). This will be able to provide many opportunities so that they can practice and improve social skills which are really necessary in their life. Specifically, they also encourage young women to participate in socializing more because there are no gender differences and no age differences. They feel more comfortable and confident to communicate with others. (Wright & Li, 2011). Hence, it is evident that online social media sites help increase the social interaction of young people.

Not only are advantageous consequences of social networking sites promoting wide connectedness and increasing social interaction but also intensifying sexual health communication. Sexual health is usually one of the hottest topics that young people are interested in. However, it is said that young people feel very shy when they discuss some problems of sexual health face to face. Thus, sexual health communication is often severely restricted because of stigma and the threat of bullying (Evers, Albury, Byron & Crawford, 2013). As a result, websites on the internet are becoming popular places so as that young people may find and share an enormous amount of sexual health knowledge. When they go online, they will not know accurately the personal information of others in the discussion and peer to peer relationships will facilitate the sharing of sexual health information. Learning about the sexual health knowledge from peers is much more effective than learning from other places (Spiranovic, Briggs, Kirkby, Mobsby &

Show More

Media Impact On Social Media

Media Influence On Social Media