Introduction
The most important reason to utilize social media is to allow individuals to socialize, regardless of geography or time constraints. Social media let teens keep in touch with existing friends and create new ones thereby acquiring efficient socialization skills. Similarly, it provides a virtual alternative for teenagers who find it difficult to make friends in the real world and protect them from feeling isolated (Smetana et al. 72). Users of social media have the ability to post and receive criticism and remarks that can have the philosophical advantage of boosting self-esteem and self-confidence (Smetana et al. 76). Through the use of social media teenagers have well-established human connections, boosted communication skills, social skills, relationships, sense of responsibility, and self-esteem which have revealed the need for the socialization ideology.
The Use of Social Media
Even while social media is a great way to meet new people, it is critical for the next generation, who are still building their social skills and self-esteem, to engage in face-to-face conversations as often as possible. Sites like Facebook, Telegram, and Instagram are often perceived as interfering with destroying interactions in the actual world. Alternatively, others would claim that social media is an all-time benefit for humanity, although this is not always the case. Contrary to earlier times, the use of digital media sites facilitates and simplifies human connection (Alim 52). The use of social media, for example, enables globalization by enabling introverts to express themselves easily. Teens can form relationships with their classmates via social media that they would not otherwise be. Teens who use social media have access to a wide range of benefits, including the capacity to learn about their health. Anxiety-reduction techniques and indicators of depression are particularly relevant to teens and can be solved using social media sites as they socialize.
Teenagers’ perception of the world is shaped by their interactions with others throughout their lives, from birth to old age. Developing one’s social skills begins at birth and continues throughout a person’s lifespan. Infants learn fundamental human emotions including happiness, anger, fear, surprise, and delight from their parents and siblings throughout the first few weeks of life (Stein and Mejia 620). Family and caregivers’ early contacts with children provide them with a strong foundation from which to flourish. During the early years of a child’s life, they learn important abilities including self-feeding, communicating, and making friends. Social skills like self-control, sharing, and connection building begin to emerge as youngsters are exposed to influences outside the family (Kammerl, Rudolf, and Michaela Kramer 26). If socialization skills had never been taught to kids it would be a completely new experience dining. If it were not for kids, adults would be arguing over the menu. Unfortunately, human isolation has been documented, demonstrating the value of social contacts.
As a result of the widespread use of these sites, teenagers are now able to communicate with one another at any time and from anywhere thereby enhancing socialization skills. Social media may have both beneficial and bad effects on young people, especially those who use it often. On the other hand, infinite enjoyment can be found in the vast majority of social media posts. Many blogs, photos, and videos available to today’s youth have educational value (Akram and Kumar 349). Discussions on assignments and homework have been facilitated through social media, which provides a platform for fact-finding and research activities. Innovative self-expression may be found on many social media sites.
Viewing role models on social media can help teenagers learn about how to create online content and take better photographs. These projects assist teenagers to develop their artistic, social, technical, and critical-thinking abilities. Using social networking sites, teenagers may connect with people from all walks of life and build a network of friends and acquaintances. Additionally, teenagers can easily get involved in charitable and political issues and raise money for good causes via social media (Kruikemeier, Sanne, and Adam Shehata 228). Adolescents can stay in touch with loved ones and friends no matter how far they are located or what time of day it is. Teens are able to form relationships with their classmates via social media that they would not otherwise be. Teens who use social media have access to a wide range of benefits, including the capacity to learn about their own health. Anxiety-reduction techniques and indicators of depression are particularly relevant to teens (Stein et al. 611). A support network for youth with chronic diseases and disorders can also be formed via the use of social media.
Teenagers are well-known for effectively utilizing their time especially after school. Rather than focusing on their studies, many students are always on their phones, trawling through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Sure, today’s teens are more likely to communicate via social media than face-to-face encounters, but this is not always a bad thing (Kruikemeier, Sanne, and Adam Shehata 232). To a large extent, teens are preoccupied with how they interact with the people around them. For youth, social media sites coincide with the maturation of their sexuality, self-identity, and moral aspects. Two of the most pressing issues for teenagers are establishing a sense of identity and maintaining a sense of familiarity. However, culture may shape a person’s identity rather than giving it to him or her (Kammerl, Rudolf, and Michaela Kramer 25). It has become simpler for teenagers to build their own identities in a society rife with technological devices and social media. Kids in today’s social media environment can acquire recognition they need to establish their own identities. Socialization among teens may be improved by helping them develop and solidify their identities.
With the use of social media, students anywhere may get to know people from all over the world and join little groups for things like sports or just for fun. New types of experiences, such as breaking the limiting thinking of cast, creed, and religion, and creating inspiring concepts can also be facilitated by this method (Stein and Mejia 616). It also fosters a sense of compassion for socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Using social media to avoid social ills such as drinking and engaging in inappropriate behavior with foreigners and other cultures is beneficial (Kammerl, Rudolf, and Michaela Kramer 24). People who are active on social media have a greater sense of self-reliance since they understand the viewpoints of others.
However, teenagers’ socializing has also been affected as a result of social media. Social media sites have diminished face-to-face contact between family members and close friends. Humans can better comprehend the world around them through social interactions. These kids are missing out on the opportunity to connect with their family and friends because they spend so much time staring at a computer screen (Akram and Kumar 357). As a result, their language and creative writing abilities have been hampered since they are more likely to utilize computer languages. Teenagers’ poor self-esteem has resulted from bullying, which may cause many to feel ashamed, and they tend to withdraw from family and friends to spend their time alone. If the correct individuals are not there to aid these kids, they will sometimes take their own lives. More than one-third of 13- to 22-year-old in the UK, US, and other nations have experienced cyberbullying at some point in their lives (Alim 67). Because of this, more must be done to shield vulnerable kids from cyberbullying.
Conclusion
In conclusion, teenagers’ ability to make friends and socialize has been aided by the use of social media. Teens meet new people and keep in touch with old ones on sites like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For adolescents, social media is important because it provides an interactive platform where they can engage with their peers, create social relationships, and exchange knowledge and information relevant to their day-to-day activities. Nevertheless, most of the negative effects of social media use on teens’ socializing can be mitigated. Teenagers’ usage of social networking sites restricts their ability to engage in real-time and direct contact, which has negative implications. This problem may be solved by ensuring that social networking sites are properly managed. When teenagers disagree with their classmates, they often post nasty information and comments on social media to express their displeasure. Nonverbal communication such as body language, posture, and tone of voice, as well as eye contact and facial expressions, are all severely hampered by social media use among youths. Social media and face-to-face connections should be encouraged by parents and others in the community.
Works Cited
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Kruikemeier, Sanne, and Adam Shehata. “News Media Use and Political Engagement Among Adolescents: An Analysis of Virtuous Circles Using Panel Data.” Political Communication, vol. 2, no. 34, 2019, pp. 221-242. Web.
Smetana, Judith G., et al. “Socialization in Adolescence.”Political Communication, vol.3, no.14, 2018, pp. 1-87. Web.
Stein, and Mejia. “The Intersection of Racial–ethnic Socialization and Adolescence: A Closer Examination at Stage‐salient Issues.” Journal of Research on Adolescence, vol. 3, no. 28, 2018, pp. 609-621.