Does Social media create isolation?

Does Social media create isolation?

In the world of social media,

Facebook, twitter, Instagram, and many other social media networks we have learned to connect with people from all walks of life. While it might seem like social networking is bringing people together. It is now less clear. Interacting on social media is seen as good thing for all. But there is too something in the negative way. We can’t say it is fully bad, but something is in the negative way. 

In the past people had group communication while all relations were talked and shared things with sitting in the home yard around.

That time they were shared more and more. It can be happiness or sadness. But now with the developed technology everyone has their smartphone in their hand and communicate through that only. With the new technology, everyone deprived of one to one communication. They have to work individually and this destroys their social well – being. Hence it affects the physical, psychological and social well – being. They are not interested to move about, but prefer remaining in one place and staring at their smart devices. Because of this, they are totally disconnected from society. 

People want to know what is happening around them and for this they make use of media like Facebook. A result of this would be de-individuation, where people would be disconnected from the outside world. While technology use is an integral part of the day – to – day lives of many, there are a number of risks associated with it. Especially negative effects on mental health, cyber bullying, texting/sexting, dangers of sexual solicitation and exposure to problematic and illegal content and privacy violations.

Nowadays when we look up most teens who are regular media users are being reported the feelings. Such as they are in trouble or not, happy or unhappy, bored or not. In the present situation, when we take one family father, mother and children are separately using their smartphones alonely with sitting their rooms. There are no sharing, no exchanging, no love and etc.

As I already mentioned, Social media gives much of advantages, but even the isolation makes human more depression. Depression makes less sleeping, more anger and unhappy in the life. Where we highly addicted by technology there will be more symptoms to know it,

1. Compulsive checking of text messages
2. Frequently changing of Fb status and uploading more selfies
   
3. Social withdrawal
4.  Feelings of restlessness when unable to go online

The social media technology is supposed to bring the world together. But it has brought us to virtual world where we are great personalities to others. But physically we are alone. Further a recent study has discovered that its actually making us feel lonelier.

The report suggests that if you spend over two hours a day on social networks, your chances of feeling socially isolated one twice as high.

Further it reveals that, as suicides and mental health issues amongst students and young adults are on the rise, the role of social media is being increasingly scrutinized. Perhaps the strongest criticism that can be made of social media networks is that they deprive us of human interaction, and create virtual substitute, that still maintain emotional distance. On the other hand, however, studies are suggesting that social media users are aware of the dangers of being online too much. And take a more active approach to their networks rather than isolating themselves.


-Poongulaly Balagobalan-

SC/PG/MAMM/2016/2017/06