Last updated on February 25, 2023
You are probably using a device to read this – and it is probably the same device you often use to call, text, watch entertainment, and do work. You might think that your device is a beneficial tool, used in your day-to-day life. But, you might not be aware of some of the negative effects that technology has on your mind and the minds of others.
Hate speech on social media
Many people communicate using social media, and some of those conversations may become rude or discouraging. The conversation that two people have may be misunderstood. Furthermore, communication on social media may lead to fights and the rise of hate speech. In fact, about 64% percent of US teenagers have encountered hate speech. Hate speech can change how teenagers learn and think – and may even cause physical fights over what people disagree on. People who are targeted in hate speech can feel anger, sadness, or frustration.
Hate speech may include sexual harassment of others. In fact, 21% of young women have been sexually harassed online. And, 53% of them have received unsolicited explicit images.
Cyberbullying on social media
88% of teenagers have seen others exhibit cyber-bully behavior on social networking sites. Around 34% of teenagers have reported themselves as victims of cyberbullying in the past.
The brain on social media
Social media can discourage people regarding how they think and look. Once quarantine forced many to stay in their homes, people turned to social media as a way to communicate with each other. However, this switch has caused mental damage to many people.
Social media can affect children’s learning and what kids think about. This includes the adoption of swears or racially offensive phrases. Children usually do not know how others will react and use these. And, disagreements can affect education, as well as how people interact with their friends and teachers in many ways. The number of fights in schools has risen due to social media and the amount of hate speech present.
Addiction to social media
Teens are the biggest consumers of social media. Since social media displays the number of likes or dislikes, as well as comments, teenagers can turn to it as a way to receive validation. However, this only makes them more addicted. Social media might cause teenagers to stay up late as it traps them into addiction.
In conclusion, many people around the world use social media, but really do not know the negative effects of social media entirely. Among these effects is the inability for people to learn compromise over disagreement.
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