In view of the advanced technology nowadays, people are now following up with the technology and the use of social media: Ayven Zuo Report, RMIT, Singapore

In view of the advanced technology nowadays, people are now following up with the technology and the use of social media has been increasing more and more. The current global pandemic makes it worse due to the fact that most people must stay at home almost all the time. Since sticking to the protective measures is a must, friends, and families have fallen into a distance.

Thus, people use social media to keep the connection and communication on track, organizations use social media tools for employees to work from home and communicate with their organization members and also customers. The use of social media has brought friends and families together which is a positive impact on it.

Moreover, during the pandemic, social media is the fastest way to hear all information about health care and also the updated news with the latest evidence about the pandemic. However, it has also brought negative impacts or effects to some of the users, especially youths. Though social media is essential, it can also cause confusion and increase the odds because of the large volume of information.

During adolescence, youths have important development tasks such as enhancing independence from adults, building intimate peer relationships and exploring themselves, their identity, and embracing their adulthood. Therefore, the rapid development intensifies the youths’ sensitivities to social concerns. Considering that the youths are warier of social media, they tend to make more social comparisons related to their appearance, status, accomplishments, etc.

As a result, the specific comparisons increase the risk for eating disorders and body image concerns. Exposure to social media content like drugs, alcohol, and another material usage may have an influence on their behaviors and developments too. Social media also makes people addicted which includes spending a lot of time on networking sites or applications and diverting the focus and concentration on the other essential tasks.

In addition, the increasing number of victims of cyberbullying is also another negative impact of using social media that can lead to suicide and self-injury. Cyberbullying or being a victim of online bullying is one of the main driving forces of self-harm and suicidal behaviors.

They can also read the self-harm and suicidal online content on social media. According to Jacqueline Nesi from Alpert Medical school, 16.6 percent of youths who were hospitalized due to self-harm issues were reported viewing related online content two weeks before their admission.