In terms of its impact on society, social media is one of the most significant advancements of the recent past.
Chances are, you probably discovered this blog through one of the major social media platforms. If you like what you read here, you may even share it with your friends through Facebook, Twitter, or one of your other social media profiles. Your online friends may come from many different walks of life. In some cases, they are people that you know in person. In other cases, they are people that you met online who share similar interests or who live in the same area that you do.
Although the relationships that you have through social media don’t involve interacting with each other in person, they still can affect how you feel. When you make positive connections online, it puts you in a good mood. When your online relationships don’t go as well, however, it can leave you feeling sad, angry, or anxious.
People with social anxiety can connect with others through social media, giving them a chance to form connections that they may not have been able to make in real life. At the same time, however, many of the same issues that lead to social anxiety in real life still are present online. Being aware of the link between social media and social anxiety can give you the tools that you need to face any situation with confidence.
The Positive Aspects Of Social Media
According to a report published by the American Academy of pediatrics, social media plays a major role in the emotional and social development of children and teens since much of their communication takes place online. Children in these age groups lack the necessary skills to self regulate. They also are particularly prone to peer pressure, which can make social media a risky prospect for young people.
At the same time, however, the report also lists a number of advantages that social media provides for kids. Some of these benefits include being able to engage with a community, access to creative opportunities, opportunities to grow and develop new ideas, and a chance to meet people from other backgrounds than their own. Social media also helps kids build their unique identity while at the same time teaching them the skills that they need to socialize.
Few advancements have had as much of an impact on the ability of individuals to access and share knowledge. From an educational standpoint, this provides unparalleled opportunities to discuss issues like social anxiety through online forums or other Internet-based outlets. Talking openly about issues like these is a positive thing in terms of helping people learn about and manage their anxiety. Online interactions also give people a way to begin socializing with others without needing to meet them face-to-face.
The Negative Aspects Of Social Media
Even though social media takes place online, many of the same issues that we face in real life are still present through the Internet. Online interactions still can lead to anxiety and pressure, just like interacting with other people in real life.
Some of the most common social anxiety triggers include trying to live up to the expectation of loved ones, dealing with bullying, working with other people, or having to meet tight deadlines. All of these issues still are present online.
For instance, out of 7,000 mothers in the US who participated in a recent survey, three out of four of them felt that they pressured themselves to achieve perfection more than other people pressured them. A staggering 72% of them also acknowledged that they were anxious about feeling stressed. What is most fascinating about this survey, however, is that nearly half of the respondents reported that social media images of “perfect” families added to their anxiety. Anxiety like this is known as social media anxiety.
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Social media makes it easier for people who would otherwise be isolated to overcome their social anxiety and interact with others. Although this is beneficial, it also can become a crutch, keeping people from ever experiencing real-life interactions with others.
The Worst Aspects Of Social Media
Before social media became a part of everyday life, we didn’t spend time thinking about how many people were following our accounts or how many people had liked our posts. We also weren’t constantly glued to our phones, waiting for notifications or alerts.
Despite the positive benefits of social media, there are also a lot of negative ways that it impacts life. Some of those include:
– Carrying your cell phone everywhere that you go so that you don’t miss anything.
– Feeling worried if people don’t reply to your tweets or mentions right away.
– Constantly checking to see if anyone has liked your post on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or Facebook. This is particularly true if you post a photo of yourself.
– Getting upset when your follower count decreases on one of your social media profiles.