Are Social Networks Harmful to Society

Are Social Networks Harmful to Society? Reasons Why They Are

The question “Are social networks harmful to society?” requires consideration of the degree to which social networks have influenced society. The answer to that question is – significantly.

Surveys Indicate Overwhelming Teen Use of Social Networks

According to a 2007 Pew Internet Research Report, over half (55 percent) of teens now use online social networking sites. While this fact in and of itself shouldn't cause parents and educators much concern, the real issue stems from the fact that so many of these teens are depending on the Internet to maintain friendships. According to the Pew Report, “91 percent of all social networking teens say they use the sites to stay in touch with friends they see frequently, while 82 percent use the sites to stay in touch with friends they rarely see in person.”

While it’s understandable that teens would depend on social networks, such as MySpace, to keep in touch with friends who they can't regularly see due to distance, the fact that 91 percent of teens use social networks to maintain friendships with friends who they already frequently see causes some degree of concern.

Social Networking Relies on Difficult Electronic Communication

One aspect of social networking that can be detrimental to society is that dependence on these networks often leads to poor interpersonal communications. When people spend so much time communicating with others through a computer screen, they lose face-to-face social contact skills. A significant part of how people communicate with each other is through body language and facial expressions. When that aspect of communication is removed a number of problems can occur.

Drawbacks of electronic communications:

• There is a tendency for comments to be more spontaneous and less thoughtful.
• There is a higher likelihood that humor or sarcasm will be misunderstood.
• People tend to say things through social networks that they normally wouldn’t in person.

Many of these drawbacks can lead to a degradation of conversations, and lead to misunderstandings, arguments, and ruined friendships. This could easily be avoided through a simple phone call, or taking the time to talk in person.

Social Networking Can Lead to Excessive Computer Use

Another way social networks can be hurt society is through the obsession factor. This kind of excessive computer use can quickly lead to a dysfunctional lifestyle where other important daily activities, such as exercise, maintaining healthy sleeping and eating habits, and spending time with family and friends, are almost completely ignored. In 2003, researchers at the City University of New York conducted a study regarding the effects of at-home computer use on young children. They found that young children who excessively used the computer (for over 8 hours a week) spent significantly less time playing sports or taking part in beneficial outdoor activities. They were also found to have “substantially heavier body mass index”.

Are Social Networks Harmful to Society? Reasons Why They Are Not

While the research above might lead people to conclude social networking is bad, it would actually be more accurate to conclude that excessive social networking can be harmful. On the other hand, there is evidence that shows that moderate social networking can actually be quite beneficial to society.

University Study Indicates Modest Benefits from Computer Use in Children

The same City University of New York study cited above also reported an additional interesting finding about the computer use of children. They reported that they observed “modest benefits” on three cognitive skill tests, as well as self-esteem. They also found that most children who spent time conducting computer-based activities “spent no less time on activities such as reading, sports or outside play than children without home computers.”

What this study concludes is that although obsessive use of computer-based activities, such as social networking, can be detrimental to social health and well-being, there are also positive benefits to be gained from moderate use of computer-based activities.

Social Networking Helps Society Collaborate

Social networking can play a very important and positive role throughout society. Just a few of the very positive purposes social networks can be used for include:

• Researchers and scientists can collaborate with each other around the world.
• Friends and families living far away from one another can stay in daily contact.
• Teachers and P\professors can use social networks to enhance courses and class work.
• Businesses can use social networks to communicate and react to customer demands more quickly.

Social Networking Leads to More Frequent Communication

While the electronic form of social interaction has its limitations – the convenience and ease-of-use of social networks through blogs, forums, and e-mail-lists can lead to a society that is actually much more connected than ever before.

Social networks were always available in the form of the normal circle of friends people had even before there ever was anything called the Internet.

However the Internet has now allowed this circle of friends and colleagues to span the entire globe, and provided people are careful to use the Internet in moderation and in balance, these social networks will only serve to enhance human relationships, and to benefit society as a whole.