The Concern About Increased Social Media Use with this GenerationSMU SMC

How often do you use social media? Scientists in the world today are genuinely concerned about society’s “always on” generation increasing social media use.

The increase of social media use in today’s society makes scientists around the globe fearful for this generation. Individuals of all ages now use social media more than ever before. Many dislike the dependency they feel towards it, yet they cannot get themselves to stop using it. The question is, how can social media use be harmful when it is so entertaining, useful and beneficial?

How Serious is this Issue?

The issue of increased social media use is very serious. According to the Courier, “ If current trends continue, the average person will spend more than three years of their life updating social media, according to a new study.”

For the average person, three years is a tremendous amount of social media use. The world has so much to offer. It is very unfortunate that individuals in today’s society choose to ignore the beauty of life for technology.

Is the Amount Actually a Concern?

The answer is yes, and it is only going to get worse over time.

According to the Courier, “Scientists from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, recently concluded that people who regularly check their phone for updates may be trying to alter their mood and are more prone to temperamental behaviour.”

A benefit of social media use is the ability to multitask. The Courier states, “According to London-based social psychologist Dr Becky Spelman, who led the Samsung research, while people are busier now than at any other time in history, the development of an “always on” generation of under-40s is adjusting brains to be better at multi-tasking.”

Although multi-tasking is beneficial, studies show that using social media this heavily reduces the ability to “focus on the task at hand”. Studies also show that phone addiction and emotional stability coincide with one another. When more individuals use social media, more individuals become emotionally unstable.

According to the Courier, “The research comes amid increasing evidence that young people are becoming increasingly narcissistic, and obsessed with self-image and shallow friendships.”

There is no doubt that social media is extremely beneficial to society. It is unfortunately the younger generation that scientists worry most about regarding the increase of social media use.