You’re on TikTok when you hear your mom saying, “Get off your phone, you know it’s bad for you!” As soon as you hear that you reply, “But social media is good for you!” This sparks disagreement as both your mom and you have different opinions. So what can you tell her to prove your point?

     For those who don’t know, social media is composed of several different online platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and many more. Throughout the years, the number of social media applications has grown and evolved, and as a result, social media has become more popular. It has also become very controversial. So, does social media have positive or negative side effects? 

Pros

     To start, some of the positives of social media are communicating or reconnecting with old friends and family, as well as its potential for positive change. One reason that proves social media isn’t all bad is that by using social media, you can connect with people from all over the world that you might not have seen in a very long time or have otherwise met. You can also develop relationships with distant friends and family. Think of it as this: your best friend is moving to California and won’t be moving back ever. So instead of being sad, you and your best friend talk to each other every day using social media and stay connected across the country. Furthermore, another positive aspect of social media is the many fundraisers on online platforms. One example of a big fundraiser is the still ongoing “Team Trees”, which crushed its goal of sponsoring 20 million trees planted in just 56 days! This fundraiser was promoted all over social media, which means you’ve probably even heard about it. It’s fundraisers like this that help prove that social media is not all bad. All in all, social media definitely has valid positive aspects.

Cons 

     In contrast, there are some cons of social media. The biggest is cyberbullying. Did you know that according to Do Something, a nonprofit organization dedicated to influencing young people to take action in their communities, “about 37% of young people between the ages of 12 and 17 have been bullied online. 30% have had it happen more than once” (Do Something). Another negative effect of social media is the potential for declining mental health. Anxiety and depression in kids are more likely for kids who are on social media, especially for long periods. According to HelpGuide, “Excessive use of social media can fuel feelings of addiction, anxiety, depression, isolation, and FOMO” (HelpGuide). In summary, social media also has significant negative impacts that should be noted. 

     To conclude, social media has many positive and negative effects. The pros and cons that have been listed could be helpful as you make your decisions on how to use social media. Be sure to use it to help yourself and others in positive ways!

Works Cited

DoSomething.org: Fueling Young People to Change the World,

https://www.dosomething.org/us. Accessed 9 May 2023.

HelpGuide.org, https://helpguide.org/. Accessed 9 May 2023.