The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: Social Media
- themidnightmagazin
- Mar 28, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 25, 2021
By Ryan Hukom
Social media’s beneficial and consequential influence on society.
Every Sunday morning I am greeted with a notification indicating the average screen time spent on the phone throughout the week. Subsequently, the regret begins to seep into my mind, “Have I spent too much time on social media?” Depending on the user, social media holds different values. To some, it is simply a source of information and social networking, for others it is a distraction from productivity and to many it serves as a toxic addiction.
In an analysis published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, research demonstrates that teenagers in Ontario reporting mental distress has increased from 24% in 2013, to 39% in 2017. These percentages link to the amount of Ontario teenagers spending over 5 hours per day on social media. Beginning at 11% in 2013, to 20% in 2017. In light of recent times, Statistics Canada reports 57% of 15 to 34 year-olds have increased their social media and messaging usage since the beginning of the pandemic. The relationship between mental health and social media is undeniable. The essential role that social media plays in the lives of teenagers and adolescents, has consequently introduced a new epidemic of conflict.
Social media’s perception can bear negative aspects, but it’s vast amount of benefits cannot be neglected in this day and age. Covid-19 has brought many communitical issues across the globe. Social media has become a crucial communication tool that has allowed us to connect with friends and family we are unable to see. A study conducted in September 2020, saw a 43% increase in text messaging, 36% increase in voice calls and a 30% increase in video calls since the beginning of the pandemic. Social media has also been effectively used to update the public and to issue warnings and safety tips. The utilization of social media to combat the problems that we all face today, has served as a benefit towards a new lifestyle.
Although social media’s general perception is often undermined, it bears positive and negative aspects. Nevertheless, social media’s benefits and consequences will continue to play a detrimental role in generations to come.
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