Social media has evolved. Before a decade or so, people were less connected to socialize with limited options to have a get-together. But today, people can exchange ideas, connect and relate information in seconds due to social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Googleplus, and much more. They are a new forum that allows us to be well informed about each other’s activities and have become one of the most prevalent ways of communication nowadays. Just a few taps on your smartphone and you could be chatting with someone across the world. Instagram, SnapChat and Twitter has taken the the world by storm and is growing every second before our own eyes. As a result, social media affects everyone in a unique way, even the people who don’t use it. This raises controversy over whether it is detrimental or beneficial to society.

 

In Wall Street International, an article “The Negative Effects of Social Media” by Nela Islit, explains the immediacy of social networking is so tempting that many people get hooked to the devices to the excess. And because of such preoccupation, they are at risk of getting themselves isolated from the real world. We want to be with each other, but also elsewhere at the same time. This magazine aims towards exposing just how social media can be a threat to human relationships. This is portrayed through the following quote: “Building casual relationships through social media diminish our ability to foster meaningful relationships in the real world”.  Through the online connection, people can present themselves as who they want to be. Islit states that you can be a completely different individual on sites like Tinder. Her stance is critical; she wants it to be known that social media has its downsides. Islit even refutes her opponent’s claims by stating, “It is true that social media has made humanity closer. However, we are more alone now than ever. Have you witnessed a group of friends getting together in one place but are barely speaking to one another?” This rebuttal strengthens her point and sets up the stage for the end of her piece. We have turned into sociable robots; we feel inutile without our mobile phones. The intended audience is anyone who is addicted to social media. Islit concludes, “Now is the time for our generation to face the sad truth. We need this for ourselves”. The author warns society that we need to be prudent on how we use social media platforms, as it can be a weapon in the wrong hands. The genre of this article is a magazine, which is clear through her informal style and usage of slang. There are also images surrounding Islit’s article that exemplify her point, such as a person handcuffed to his phone at the beginning.

 

In the Tech and Culture section of the National Public Radio website, Stella Lau’s web article “Girls Flip The Negative Script On Social Media” explains how for many girls, the Internet can be a vulnerable place. However, they can counter this negativity if they look at sites like Instagram and Twitter in a different light. Lau intends this article to be read by teenage girls. This is evident when Lau includes, “Here’s the thing: As a teen girl, there are all sorts of situations we can’t control, like a mean comment on Instagram, or the embarrassing experience of getting sent home for wearing the wrong outfit”.  She incorporates basic diction and introduces scenarios in her story to simplify her ideas. Furthermore, she wants teenage girls to realize that social media isn’t at all what it seems. Lau has an attitude of approval towards social media. Teen girls use social media to get support from peers, so they’ve been creating spaces where teens play into the positive and taking national conversations about issues into their own hands. She provides an instance where media has given a voice to these girls, “A Kentucky high school’s dress code policy changed after a student’s YouTube video about the policy got more than 300,000 views.” Lau claims that when we take our story to social media, sometimes we manage to turn shame into empowerment. Lau even links the YouTube video as proof that girls can utilize social media to their advantage. There is also a comment section for the audience to participate in the discussion. By writing on a medium such as a web page, Lau has the opportunity of online users to interact with her.

 

The CNN article “Social Media Positive for Teens? Maybe!” by Kelly Wallace sheds light on the good aspects of social media, which is contrary to what many think when they jump to conclusions about the media. She provides insight, stating that it may be a surprise to parents that social media can help build self-confidence. Wallace takes a supportive stance and includes that social media can be used in a positive way that benefits others as long as some considerations are taken. The best way to encompass all of these considerations is to keep the dignity of the individual person in mind before posting or commenting on Twitter or Instagram. Wallace aims to sway parents who are not in favor of social media by writing, “In the survey of more than 1,000 13- to 17-year-olds about how they view their digital lives, 28% said social networking made them feel more outgoing versus 5% who said it made them feel less so; and 29% said it made them feel less shy versus the 3% who said it made them feel more introverted.” As a result, Wallace claims social media can boost relationships in a positive way, especially in young teens who long for the knowledge that they are loved and approved, especially from their friends. The author thanks those who promote media in this way and to the parents who monitor and direct their children’s media usage for the bettering of the world. This quote references parents as the audience, “The findings are likely to be questioned by most parents, especially because what we usually hear are the negatives, such as how cyberbullying can turn tragic”. An excerpt from an interview with a mother of two, Eileen Masio, confirms that this is a newspaper article. Through various questions, the interview establishes that even though social media has a bad reputation, it can be everything a child needs while growing up. It is also published by a reporter that works for CNN.

 

In the academic journal titled “Social Media and Its Stellar Influence on Society” by Andie Phoon, the author discusses in detail the full impact of social media on society. The journal considers different forms of media from interpersonal relationships and communication to familial relationships and youth behavior. Phoon breaks down each category, explaining the positives and negatives of each. He introduces ideas that a majority of people have not cared to acknowledge. He assumes a passive yet educational stance, claiming that he was enlightened by his studies. Phoon hints that “the human race will have to pick soon whether social media is good or bad” but is indifferent on the matter himself. He presents information from studies regarding social media, as follows, “…93% of hiring managers will review a candidate’s social profile before making a hiring decision, and about 55% have reconsidered a candidate based on what they find, with most (61%) of those double-takes being negative.” Phoon encourages the audience to reflect on his findings and then make their own decision about social media based on it. This journal is not directed towards the general public. There are many studies and experiments that indicate that it is meant to be read by academics. The journal is a scholarly source; it begins with a detailed abstract and does not contain any visual aids. The style is formal, which is maintained throughout. Professional research and studies are carried out to support the claim.

 

In conclusion, all of these sources are a response to the growing topic of social media. However, there is some conflict with the stances of the authors. The attitude of disapproval  towards social media portrayed in the magazine does not appear in the other sources. Lau and Wallace both have a positive perspective on social media, indicating that they believe the pros outweigh the cons. Phoon does not take a stance, stating that he will let society choose for him. Something that all four sources share in common is that they all discuss examples of how regular people are influenced by social media, indirectly or directly. Furthermore, every source had some type of statistic to reinforce their perspective, even the magazine. This gives the sources credibility and comforts the reader as they know that the author’s allegations are backed up with evidence. Also, with the exception of the academic journal, the authors all accompany their pieces with pictures or videos. Through visual aid, the author is able to attract the audience and convey their point elaborately in a way that text cannot. All in all, it is important that we have this debate right now before we allow Facebook or Instagram to have any more influence. We need to be in control of it, rather than let it control us. Because of these sources, we as people have a better grasp on social media so we can make our own choice for the future.

Works Cited

• Eslit, Nila. “The Negative Effects of Social Media.” Wall Street International Magazine, 25 Mar. 2017, wsimag.com/science-and-technology/24461-the-negative-effects-of-social-media.
• Phoon, Andie. Social Media and Its Stark Influence on Society. Sept. 2017, scholarworks.bgsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=writ.
• Lau, Stella. “Teen Girls Flip The Negative Script On Social Media.” NPR, NPR, 24 Mar. 2016, www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2016/03/24/470686073/teen-girls-flip-the-negative-script-on-social-media.
• Wallace, Kelly. “Social Media Positive for Teens? Maybe!” CNN, Cable News Network, 7 Oct. 2014, www.cnn.com/2013/11/21/living/social-media-positives-teens-parents/index.html.