Rios 1

Credence Rios

Mrs. Davis

Composition 1

03 November 2017

The Selfie Seduction

Social media was intended to be a tool for communication. It was meant to be a web,

interconnecting people. The way it is used, however, is as speckle is on drywall. It is a filler for

the parts of our lives that we feel have cracks or holes. An idea that was supposed to bring people

together has isolated them further.

Part of this isolation is due to an over indulgence in individual pride. Narcissistic

behavior is a growing issue in terms of social media. In a study regarding personality traits found

in Facebook users, narcissism and vanity held the highest percentage of traits among

participants. “The results of the studies by Buffardi & Campbell (2008) and Mehdizadeh

(2010) indicate that people with high levels of narcissism engage in frequent use of Facebook.”

(Tracii, Xenos). Social media is an online realm of self-promotion. What is posted is what a

person wants others to see. Often offering only the misleading snapshots of pieces of one’s life.

However, just as Facebook draws out those without humility, it also pulls those without esteem.

Based on it’s core concept, it is no surprise that social media offers a certain appeal to

those who are lonely. “In regards to Facebook usage habits, it was expected that shy and lonely

people would spend more time using Facebook per day, while conscientious people would spend

less.” (Tracii, Xenos). It seems that people who are lonely join social media to find

companionship. The problem there is that these friendships are often artificial. They offer
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temporary satisfaction and a feeling of belonging, often confused with genuine affection.

“Similarly, Sheldon (2008) found that people who are socially anxious like to use Facebook to

combat loneliness.” (Tracii, Xenos). Therefore, even when used properly, if social media is

relied upon too heavily as a source of companionship it can still be toxic. The previous research

is true for most generations, but especially for teenagers.

Teenagers seem to feel the affects of social media full force. This is no surprise

considering how instrumental it is in their lives. “According to a report by Common Sense

Media, 75 percent of teenagers in America currently have profiles on social networking sites.” (

Ramasubbu). Statistics like these make you wonder how social media will affect the mindset of

this generation as they mature. As their main outlet of communication, social media is an

important part of their lives. However, the convenience of online messaging should not replace

the effort that goes into face to face conversations. At this rate, conversational skills will become

as foreign as self-awareness among teens. Even though social media seems like a completely

different realm, it is just as potent as what happens in the physical world. Bullying is no

exception to this.

Cyberbullying is a real issue among teens. “32 percent of online teens admit to having

experienced a range of menacing online advances from others.” (Ramasubbu). This is a modern-

day goliath for students to deal with, but also for school systems to combat. Much like a ghost, it

is hard to resist something you do not see happening until it has already happened. This form of

bullying spares physical pain, but leaves unpleasant feelings of discomfort and a lack of privacy.

“Pew research found that 15 percent of teens were disturbed and uncomfortable about having had

their private message forwarded or posted in a public forum.” (Ramasubbu). This may link back
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to the polar ends of esteem issues found in many Facebook users. Another result with negative

implications is misplaced self-worth.

Seeking validation through social media can be a toxic ordeal. The idea that popularity

compares to a person’s net value is an appalling misconception found in avid social media

consumers. Most people in this mindset likely do not see it as an issue. They are hooked by the

anticipation and excitement that waiting for a response brings. The gratification of a compliment

brought on by another person. On the other hand, it can bring on a humiliating or disappointed

feeling when approached with criticism. The world of social media is based on approval and

acceptance. Criticism, even when constructive, is not often welcome. This is no different in a

professional setting.

Social media in the workplace has it’s pros, but also it’s cons. Along with being a

distraction, it damages worker productivity. As brought up before, social media can become an

addiction. This can consume an employee’s time, even though seemingly harmless at the start. It

also affects human relations. Just as in a school, the more you communicate through social

media, the less you have to engage in messy face to face conversations. This can damage the

mission of a company. Not having every employee communicating as a team could cause

detrimental issues. Some companies however, use social media as a tool.

The affects of social media largely depend on the person using it. “Another study

showed that Facebook makes us happier and increased social trust and engagement among

users.” (Ramasubbu). Though it has its downfalls, social media can be a useful tool. If used

properly and in moderation, it can be a healthy source of communication among family and

friends. It has the potential to unite communities and peoples of different beliefs. Not everyone
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falls into a pit of narcissism and self-loathing brought on by the hand of social media. One day it

is possible that no one will. Social media has much potential, but also much work to do.

In conclusion, social media just like anything else has potential to be misused. It is used

as it was intended by few. Social media can become an addiction just as nicotine or alcoholism.

A parent should monitor closely what a child engages in on the internet, but more specifically on

social media. If not regulated, social media can cause issues of insecurity or an inflated ego.

Though convenient, social media should not replace personal or face to face conversations. A

workplace has a place for social media, but must also be careful with it. Lastly, self-worth should

not be based on the likes of those you do not know when the ones you do are who matter.
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Work, Cited

Ramasubbu, Suren. “Influence of Social Media on Teenagers.” Huffingtonpost, 26 May 2015,

Updated:06 September 2017, https://www.huffingtonpost.com.

With active links, this article has relevant information that was recently updated. The

information hits on target with my topic in terms of age range and current issues. This article was

written by the CEO of mobiclip.com, a tool that offers parental controls on mobile devices.

Active links are contained in the article in relation to the studies shown throughout the column.

Lastly, this is an informative piece offering facts based on teens and social media’s effect on

them.

Homayoun, Ana. “The Secret Social Media Lives of Teenagers.” The New York Times, 07

January 2017, https://www.nytimes.com.

The information provided in this article is up to date and touches on recent topics. It is useful to

see a common issue in another light. Written by the author of a book regarding social media

among teens, Ana Homayoun’s insight and opinion is an asset. Much of Homayoun’s provided

insight is based off studies, in which she provides access to. In conclusion, this article contains a

broad look at the countries youth and their social media epidemic.

Blaszczak-Boxe, Agata. “Social Media Use in Teens Linked to Poor Sleep, Anxiety.” LiveScience,

11 September 2015, https://livescience.com.

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This article shows the progression of our youth and its involvement with social media throughout the

past two years. The topic is geared towards a health oriented hindsight on the effects of long term social

media usage. Blaszcak-Boxe is a dedicated graduate level writer who focuses on health, and psychology.

Within the article statistics are provided showing the links between depression, anxiety, and increased

stress levels. Links are attached for each. In addition, the included information shows a look at the

effects of social media usage on the individual.

Tracii, Ryan. Xenos, Sophia. “Computers in Human Behavior.” ScienceDirect, 09 January 2011,

http://www.sciencedirect.com.

The information in the article is drawn out throughout a study, but discussed in depth throughout.

Contained is factual evidence throughout a strict procedure that supports my stance. Both writers

are experienced on the topic of social media. Though the study was not done by the writers, they

provided a step by step description of the procedure and results. The article in collaboration with

the study is to show the negative effects of social networking.