Arguments Against Social Media: Overview of The Negative Facets

Many people believe that social media is more beneficial than harmful; however, using it can actually destroy lives. Social media is something most children, adolescents, and adults use constantly, becoming a daily part of our generation's lives. Having individuals glued to their mobile phones throughout the day is not just frustrating, but also harmful. Instead of going out with friends or having face-to-face conversations, individuals prefer messaging or going online. For most people today, a world without electronics and social media seems almost impossible. In this argumentative essay about social media we will discuss the negative facets of its use, including cyberbullying, its impact on academic performance, and its detrimental effects on social skills.

The Main Arguments Against Social Media

Let's begin with the main problem that has claimed many victims in today's society: cyberbullying. Cyberbullies use social media to their advantage, threatening and scaring not only those they know but also random users of social networks. Accepting friend requests from unknown individuals is a big mistake that many make online, leading to trouble. The ultimate solution is to consider leaving social media altogether. Cyberbullying can cause pressure and anxiety, affecting students' education, leading to my next point.

It is often argued that social media is the most common distraction for students, and I am here to support this argument. It has a harmful effect on students' productivity and has been proven to decrease many students' academic grades. Popular networks like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook are hard to ignore because there is always new information being updated, like pictures and status updates of friends. Users are obsessed with sharing their opinions and activities, often causing time-wasting habits. Students find social media networks accessible on their smartphones and lose track of time, neglecting their schoolwork. In a nutshell, social media networks cause a significant disturbance in students' focus on school.

As time goes on, more and more people tend to lazily grab their phones in bed and use them to communicate online rather than making an effort to meet up with someone in person. While social media may be more convenient, it comes at the cost of losing this generation's interpersonal skills. People now prefer to scroll through social media feeds without interacting, and this behavior has become prevalent. Many people suffer from insomnia, not because of health issues, but because they cannot resist being connected to the internet. It is essential for us to realize the value of our time.

Conclusion

Social media is clearly destroying lives through cyberbullying, making phones the top priority for students, and decreasing their social skills. Despite its numerous benefits, we must consider its impact and how much it affects our lifestyle. This is not a small problem that can be ignored anymore. To create a better future, we must use social media carefully and only when necessary. It all depends on us. I would like to end with a hadith of Rasulullah (SAW): Ibn Abbas reported, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, 'There are two blessings that many people waste: health and free time,' both of which social media has taken away from us.

References

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7. Gerson, J., Plagnol, A. C., & Corr, P. J. (2017). Subjective well-being and social media use: Do personality traits moderate the impact of social comparison on Facebook? Computers in Human Behavior, 73, 200-213.