Do You Think Social Media is Good for Teenagers?

What is Social Media? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, Social Media are websites and computer programs that allow people to communicate and share information on the internet using a computer or mobile phone. In short, it's a platform that makes communicating with people anywhere and collecting information easier. 

Some of the most popular social media websites, with more than 100 million registered users, include Facebook (and its associated Facebook Messenger), TikTok, WeChat, Instagram, QZone, Weibo, Twitter, Tumblr, Baidu Tieba, and LinkedIn. 

With it's big impact, everyone is basically using Social Media. From elders to even kids, including teenagers. Then, how is the impact of social media for teenagers? 

First, social media allows teenager to communicate and build networks. Teenagers would have the opportunity to make friends around the world. This will help develop their skills to socialize with many people. 

Second, social media provides entertainment for teenagers. There is a lot of people who upload video as a source of entertainment for others, even as a job. There is a variety of content to see in social media. Either, informative content or maybe just a comedy content. It can be a short getaway for them or to relieve and distract their stress or anxiety. 

Lastly, social media is a platform to express theirselves. Teenagers can post pictures of themself online to just have fun or maybe find their community. Teenagers could express theirselves by connecting with people in the same community. 

On the other hand, there are negative impact from social media. First, social media waste teenagers time and distract them. Teenagers would use social media to much and forget about their obligations as students or not do their chores. Even if they did not played social media overtime, they would have the desire to just use social media like scrolling instagram or twitter. The risks might be related to how much social media teens use. A 2019 study of more than 6,500 12- to 15-year-olds in the U.S. found that those who spent more than three hours a day using social media might be at heightened risk for mental health problems. Another 2019 study of more than 12,000 13- to 16-year-olds in England found that using social media more than three times a day predicted poor mental health and well-being in teens.

Also, social media causes teenagers to have low self esteem. With many teenagers expressing theirselves, some teenagers can help but feel insecure. Expecially since teenagers has an unstable emotion. Other studies also have observed links between high levels of social media use and depression or anxiety symptoms. A 2016 study of more than 450 teens found that greater social media use, nighttime social media use and emotional investment in social media — such as feeling upset when prevented from logging on — were each linked with worse sleep quality and higher levels of anxiety and depression

We can take the conclusion that social media has their positive and negative impact. Teenagers need to use social media wisely because social media could be dangerous and their records are permanent.