Positive Effects of Social Media for Teenagers

By: Mayza Nisrin Abielah feat. Nur Fatikh Rifana

       These days social media has been the major cause of face-to-face social ability degradation on teenagers.  At the same time, we are also familiar with the “dark side” of social media problems such as cyberbullying, cyberstalking, invasion of privacy, child predators, etc. from those facts which has mentioned before, it has proved that social media has many negative effects on teenagers. However a survey conducted by Harris Interactive –an online survey for World Vision, the International Christian Relief organization- does not said so. From total of 535 young people between the ages of 13 and 17 participated, 55% of those teens said that social media sites like Facebook and Twitter brought more awareness to the needs of others. According to the result of that survey, we can say that actually social media also has positive effects for teenagers especially in term of social skill development, cultural awareness and avenue to display talents.

            One of positive effect of social media is that teens can learn to enhance social interactions with
their friends through social media, says the Raising Children Network. Communicating online is one way for shy or introvert teens to open up their self and start to interact with others. By interacting online, introvert teens do not need to show their self directly, yet they still manage to practice their social skill while interacting with others online. Moreover a study conducted at the University of Sydney, Australia, suggests that the internet may be used as a forum for expanding social networks and consequently enhancing the change of meaningful relationships, self-confidence, social abilities and social support. It shows that social media has a big role on teens’ social development, as long as there are no bullying involved.

            The next positive effect is social media can grow cultural awareness on teens. Teens who are using social media usually have “unlimited” interaction both with people from their own country which have same cultural background and people from other country which have different cultural background. They can exchange information about their culture to another. By sharing their culture, it will grow culture awareness for teens. When teens know more about other cultures, it will open their mind about culture diversity. Therefore, there will be no more culture discrimination among them.

            Another positive effect of social media for teens is that social media can be an avenue to show their talents. There are several social media which is can be used to upload their works. For instance teens can upload their videos on Youtube, Keek, Vine and Instagram. They can also upload and share their works on music on Soundcloud. When we talk about youtube, everyone must know how Justin bieber became a well-known singer. It is because of Youtube. His mother uploaded his video and in no time his video had been seen by million viewers. Through social media, teens can show their talent confidently. Furthermore, by showing their talent on social media, the opportunity of being an well-known person become wider because nowadays many entertainment companies look for the new talent through social media.

            Despite of the fact that social media has some negatives effects, social media also has many positive effects for teens if they can use it properly. Social media allows teens to cultivate new friendships online, which brings them access to wider interaction. The use of social media can be benefit for teens as long as they do not too attach to it. In order to not get addicted to social media teens should have a healthy balance between exposure to media and other.

References:

Mokeyane, K. Nola. Media's Positive & Negative Influence on Teenagers Retrieved May 10, 2014, from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/medias-positive-negative-influence-teenagers-10506.html

Mintle, Linda. The Positive Side of Social Media and Teens Retrieved May 10, 2014, from http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/doinglifetogether/2012/02/the-positive-side-of-social-media-and-teens.html

https://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/media_benefits.html