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Essay on Effects and Impact of Social Networking Sites in 700+ Words

dulingo

  • Updated on  
  • Mar 5, 2024

Essay on Effects and Impact of Social Networking Sites

Social networking sites are platforms where people can connect, socialise, learn and entertain. These platforms are now a part of the modern world. The first social networking site was SixDegrees, launched in 1997. Today, there are 4 billion users on social networking sites, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Whatsapp, etc. 

essay on impact of social networking sites

However, social networking sites have given rise to cybercrimes and online frauds, to which youngsters have fallen victim. Recently, Mark Zuckerburg, the CEO of Meta, was slammed by the New Mexico District Attorney for failing to protect children from sexual predators on Facebook and Instagram. 

Table of Contents

  • 1.1 Facebook
  • 1.2 YouTube
  • 1.3 Instagram
  • 2 Positive Effects
  • 3 Negative Effects
  • 4 Impact of Social Networking Sites on Our Health
  • 5 Advantages of Not Using Social Networking Sites
  • 6 Essay on Effects and Impact of Social Networking Sites PDF

Master the art of essay writing with our blog on How to Write an Essay in English .

Popular Social Networking Sites

– Mark Zuckerberg
– 2004
– Social Media and Social Networking Platform
– Menlo Park, California
– 2.94 billion
– C++, PHP and Hack
–  Steve Chan and Chad Hurley
– 2005
Online Video Sharing and Social Networking Site
– San Bruno, California
– 2.51 billion 
– Python, C++, Java, Go
Kevin Systrom
2010
Photo and Video Sharing Social Networking Service
Menlo Park, California
2.4 billion
Java and Kotlin

Also Read: Essay on Peer Pressure in 100, 200 and 350 Words

Positive Effects

  • Social networking sites help us connect with our loved ones and distant friends.
  • Social networking sites valuable sources of information and keep us updated on the latest trends. 
  • Social networking sites can also used for educational purposes. These platforms contain educational content, discussions, and resources that support learning and skill development.
  • Platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook help businesses and individuals in networking, job searching, and career development.
  • Social networking sites allow for real-time communication through features such as instant messaging, video calls, and live streaming.

Negative Effects

  • Social networking sites are like addiction. They are designed to be engaging and use algorithms to keep users hooked. Once you start scrolling, you are presented with a constant stream of information, and notifications, and this desire for social validation can create addictive behaviours.
  • Social networking sites have given birth to cybercrimes like cyberbullying, sexual harassment, hacking, malware and ransomware, spoofing, etc.
  • Constant exposure to idealised representations of other’s lives on social media results in low self-esteem as we try to compare ourselves with others.
  • The personal information users share on social networking sites raises concerns about privacy breaches and data misuse by hackers or third parties.
  • Excessive use of social networking sites leads to time wastage and decreased productivity. Because of this, we are not able to focus on real-world tasks.
  • Excessive use of social media also affects our mental health, as it results in anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances.
  • Not everything we see on social networking sites is true. Social networking sites are a breeding ground for fake news, misinformation and rumours. 

Impact of Social Networking Sites on Our Health

  • Studies have shown that there is a strong link between excessive use of social networking sites and our health.
  • Staying late on social sites and constantly looking at computers or mobile devices results in weakened eyesight and headaches.
  • Prioritising online interactions over face-to-face relationships can result in social isolation.
  • Falling victim to cyber crimes can result in stress, anxiety and other mental issues.
  • Addictive behaviour towards social networking sites can result in sleeping disturbance and mood swings.
  • Social networking sites can contribute to the fear of missing out (FOMO). It can lead to feelings of anxiety or dissatisfaction with our own lives.

Advantages of Not Using Social Networking Sites

  • One of the best advantages of not using social networking sites is that your data is secured. Your private information is private.
  • Not using social networking can alleviate comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the pressure to curate a perfect online persona.
  • Without the constant distraction of social media, we will be able to build meaningful relationships.
  • Continuous scrolling on social networking sites results in time wastage. We can save a lot of our precious time and indulge in quality work.
  • Reducing social media presence can lead to improvements in mental health, including reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
  • Avoiding social sites and cell phones at night can result in better sleep quality.

Essay on Effects and Impact of Social Networking Sites PDF

Ans: Social networking sites are platforms where people can connect, socialise, learn and entertain. Social networking sites help us connect with our loved ones and distant friends, can keep us updated on the latest trends and can also used for educational purposes. However, social networking sites are like addiction.  They are designed to be engaging and use algorithms to keep users hooked. Once you start scrolling, you are presented with a constant stream of information, and notifications, and this desire for social validation can create addictive behaviours.

Ans: Social networking sites can lead to addiction, time wastage, and cybercrimes like cyberbullying, sexual harassment, hacking, etc. The personal information users share on social networking sites raises concerns about privacy breaches and data misuse by hackers or third parties.

Ans: One of the best advantages of not using social networking sites is that your data is secured. Your private information is private. Not using social networking can alleviate comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the pressure to curate a perfect online persona.

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The Impact of Social Media Essay - 100, 200, 500 Words

  • Essay on The Impact of Social Media -

Social media is now an integral part of daily life, used for everything from shopping to emailing, learning, and conducting business. People's lifestyles are changing as a result of social media. Social media includes blogging and social networking sites that enable quick connections between users . Here are a few sample essays on the impact of social media.

100 Words Essay on The Impact of Social Media

200 words essay on the impact of social media, 500 words essay on the impact of social media.

The Impact of Social Media Essay - 100, 200, 500 Words

Social media is a tool that has grown incredibly popular across all generations due to its user-friendly interface. Youth is the largest user group on social media, which is both an impressive and a frightening problem at the same time.

Social media has increased our connections and given us access to almost the entire world . However, we must be careful not to lose our uniqueness in the midst of all the transient but captivating social media trends that affect us.

Social media's enormous reach is a potent feature that makes me wonder about times when it is not being used for good. However, social media has both good and bad aspects, which are debatable topics, just like our opinions.

The development and widespread use of social media represented one of the biggest revolutions in mass communication. Social media has had and continues to have a profound impact, ushering in a brand-new era. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin, WhatsApp, and others are some notable social media sites. The current generation has the good fortune to be present for some of the most amazing technological advancements ever.

Social media has greatly expanded the possibilities for communication . The pace of human life must also quicken due to the advancement of technology. Nearly all generations have used social media, but the younger generation dominates it. The youth also develop new, unified trends, but these are transient in comparison to earlier trends.

A global community has been formed as a result of social media. People can freely express themselves and their opinions on a variety of subjects on social media, from politics to the arts. Additionally, social media has aided companies in expanding their customer base and audience. But despite all the positive features of social media, almost everyone is aware of how addictive it can be. Social media also appeared to have caused a rise in the emotional distance among people. For our own well-being, we need to exercise caution when using social media.

Being social animals, humans constantly seek out ways to integrate themselves into society. There were few communication options in the past. People made small talk with each other as they passed. In the past, socialising was limited to going to each other's homes, hosting large gatherings, and holding meetings in bars, parks, and other public places. The time has changed right now. Because of their busy schedules, increased distance from one another, and financial worries, people have reduced their social activities. Social networking websites and applications have ushered in a revolution in the world since the advent of technology, compensating for the old trend.

Impact of Social Media on Education

Social media has been used as an innovative method of education . According to a survey of earlier studies, 90% of college students use social networks. Instead of learning how to use these media for good, students should be taught how to use them more effectively. In educational classes, these media are typically only used for messaging or texting. The level and pace of student collaboration have improved due to social media. Through various social media platforms like Facebook, Orkut, Instagram , and others, students can quickly and easily communicate or share information with one another . Online tests are also administered by social networking sites, and these tests are crucial for advancing students' academic performance.

Although social media has numerous positive impacts, it also has some negative ones. The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a negative impact is the kind of distraction that the students in the class may experience due to the teachers' inability to identify students who are paying attention in class or not. It is possible that the students were misled by the inaccurate information posted in some of the scenarios.

Impact of Social Media on Business

The newest hot topic in marketing is social media, which is used by businesses, organisations, and brands to spread news, make friends, establish connections, and gain followers. Businesses use social media to improve performance in a variety of ways, including by achieving business goals and raising the organisation's yearly sales . Social media has the advantage of serving as a platform for two-way communication between a company and its stockholders. Through various social networking sites, businesses can be promoted. To reach the greatest number of users or customers, many businesses advertise their products or services on social media. Social media allows customers to interact and connect with businesses on a more personal level .

Impact of Social Media on Society

We are all aware of the enormous influence social media has on our society. The most well-known social media platforms are widely used online. Online communication and social interaction have changed as a result of some social media platforms. People can use social networking sites to get in touch with old friends, coworkers, and friends . People can also use it to make new friends and share information with them, such as photos, videos, and audio files. Social media also alters society's way of life.

Social media can lead to addiction, which is one of its negative effects. People spend a lot of time on social networking sites, which can distract them from their intended task and cause them to lose focus. Social media can easily have a negative impact on children, as sometimes people post images and videos that are violent or otherwise harmful, which can have an impact on how children or teenagers behave.

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Essay on Effects of Social Networking Sites

Students are often asked to write an essay on Effects of Social Networking Sites in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Effects of Social Networking Sites

Introduction.

Social networking sites have become a significant part of our lives. They offer us a platform to connect, share, and interact with people globally.

Positive Effects

Negative effects.

However, they can also lead to cyberbullying, privacy issues, and addiction. This can negatively impact mental health and academic performance.

In conclusion, while social networking sites have their benefits, it’s crucial to use them responsibly to avoid the potential drawbacks.

250 Words Essay on Effects of Social Networking Sites

Psychological impact.

One significant effect of SNS is on users’ psychological health. While these platforms can foster a sense of connectedness, they also contribute to feelings of inadequacy and depression, triggered by the constant exposure to others’ highlight reels. Additionally, the addictive nature of SNS can lead to unhealthy obsessions and cyberbullying incidents, further exacerbating mental health issues.

Societal Impact

On a societal level, SNS have fundamentally altered the way we consume information. They have democratized information dissemination, but this freedom has also led to the spread of misinformation, with serious consequences ranging from political polarization to public health crises.

Economic Impact

Economically, SNS have created new industries and job opportunities. However, they have also disrupted traditional industries, such as print media and retail, forcing them to adapt or perish.

In conclusion, the effects of SNS are multidimensional and far-reaching. While they offer numerous benefits, their negative implications cannot be overlooked. As we continue to navigate this digital age, it is crucial to promote responsible use of SNS to mitigate their adverse effects and harness their potential for societal good.

500 Words Essay on Effects of Social Networking Sites

Social networking sites have become an integral part of the modern world. They offer a platform where people from different corners of the globe can interact, share ideas, and stay connected. While these sites have revolutionized communication, they have also brought about significant changes in our society with both positive and negative effects.

The Positive Impact of Social Networking Sites

Furthermore, these platforms have become a hub for social activism and awareness campaigns. They provide an avenue for the dissemination of information, making it easier to mobilize people towards a common cause. Social networking sites have also revolutionized the business world. They offer a cost-effective platform for businesses to reach out to potential customers, increasing their visibility and enhancing customer engagement.

The Negative Impact of Social Networking Sites

Despite the numerous benefits, social networking sites also have their downsides. They have been linked to a variety of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The constant comparison of oneself to others and the pressure to maintain a perfect online image can lead to feelings of inadequacy and social isolation.

Moreover, these sites have become a breeding ground for cyberbullying and harassment, exposing users to negative interactions that can have severe psychological effects. They also pose a threat to personal privacy, as they often require users to share personal information, which can be misused.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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essay on impact of social networking sites

Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Cyber Bullying — Social Media: Exploring its Impact on Society

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Social Networking Essay | Sample Essays About Social Networking

March 16, 2023 by Prasanna

Social Networking Essay Introduction: Social networking essay is a topic commonly asked in examinations, hence, to write an engaging essay, students should have in-depth knowledge about social networking. The concept itself is rather easy to understand, hence, it will not be a hassle to comprehend. Moreover, social networking is a powerful tool for learning as it can enable information and knowledge sharing.

However, social networking has more than a few definitions provided by various experts in the industry. But most definitions state social networking as an interaction over a social platform between individuals who may or may not share similar interests, activities, or other connections. The end goal of social networking is to build relationships or to gather information. The following are some essential tips and tricks to keep in mind when writing an essay on social networking or any other topic. Read on to find more about Advantages and Dis-Advantages of Social Networking Essay.

Social Networking Essay – Important Points

To write an engaging social networking essay, the following points are to be noted:

  • Ensure that the essay has an introductory paragraph
  • Unless the topic is technical, reduce the use of jargons
  • Express in points wherever possible
  • Content must be broken up into digestible chunks
  • If possible, use dates, names or other specifics that are relevant to the topic.
  • End the essay with a conclusion
  • If time permits, read through the essay to ensure that there are no grammatical issues or factual errors.

Last, but not least, ensure that you do your research. Read through online journals, refer to online websites or watch any related media to help generate content for the essay.

“Social Networks represent the digital reflection of what humans do: we connect and share”

Social Network

Social Networking Essay – Sample 1 (200 words)

Social networking, in its most basic form, is the interaction of individuals with common interests over an online platform. This concept is a marvel of modern technology, enabling people around the globe to connect and interact.

However, the concept is not new; for centuries, people have gathered at major towns for the purpose of socialization. So, social networking can be seen as a modern extension of this age-old tradition. But the foundation for social networking wasn’t laid until the invention of the internet. The first iterations of the world wide web is a far cry from what we see today, nonetheless, it was a milestone in its own terms. Notable precursors to social networking sites emerged in the late 1990s. One of the very first social networking sites to gain traction in India is Orkut, and it hit peak popularity by 2008.

Today, the world is interconnected through social networks, helping people communicate without any hassles. As helpful as it sounds, social networking is not without its flaws. There are many downsides, ranging from online security and child safety to piracy and cyberbullying. Essentially, social networking is a double-edged sword. Therefore, measures need to be taken to prevent such events.

100 Words Essay on Social Media

Social Networking Essay – Sample 2 (500 words)

The world we live in is ever more connected, with people living across various geographic regions interacting in real-time without ever stepping outside their house. It is one of the marvels of modern technology, culminating years of progress and growth in the field of information and technology.

Social networking, in the most literal sense, can be defined as the interaction between individuals that share common interests over an online platform created to facilitate this activity. Though this concept has emerged within the last 50 years, the original idea dates back even further. The gathering at a village market, for the purpose of information or to talk about events, can be considered as a precursor to offline-networking. The limitations during those days were obvious, communication technology was almost non-existent and traveling half-way across the world was not feasible for most.

During the 1950s, a “typical” computer was the size of a small room and it used to weight at least 20-30 tons. Several decades later, the computer was feasibly small and affordable enough for the masses to buy. Therefore, the emergence of personal computers set the stage for the emergence of social networking. Another crucial component required for social networking is the internet . Initially, the internet’s very first iteration was called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), a project of the United States Defence. Hence, it was not accessible to the general public. As technology progressed, this concept became what we now know as the modern-day worldwide web.

The very first precursors to social networking platforms on the world wide web emerged during the 1990s. Geocities, Tripod.com, and Theglobe.com had many of the functionalities now common in social networking platforms. These sites encouraged users to interact with others through chat rooms. Newer generations of social networking sites emerged in the early 2000s, with Orkut being the most well-known. It was launched in 2004 and gained a lot of popularity by 2008. In India, Orkut was one of the first social networking sites to have gained traction before the emergence of Facebook. Sites such as Linkedin is another type of social networking site that is employment-oriented but used many of the same features as other traditional social networking sites.

Today, social networking is an integral component of society. From being a strategic component of modern businesses to an important tool for teachers and students, social networking has immeasurable implications. However,  in the wrong hands, social networking sites can cause privacy and safety concerns. One of the biggest risks associated with social networking is cyberbullying. It can have disastrous repercussions on the morale of affected individuals.

Social Networking Essay Conclusion

Children are especially at risk since continuously monitoring their activities may not be feasible. Another major downfall of social networking is it absolutely kills productivity. It can waste valuable time and encourage procrastination. Strangely, social networking can also lead to domestic crimes such as burglary; posting about a trip on social media, check-in details and other information would provide would-be burglars with the information telling them when to strike. There are also reports of individuals who have had negative professional outcomes due to irresponsible action of social networking platforms.

The key takeaway here is, social networking is a powerful tool, and care must be taken to ensure no negative repercussion occurs.

FAQ’s on Social Networking Essay

Question 1. What is social networking?

Answer: Social networking is defined as the interaction between individuals over an online social platform who may or may not share common interests.

Question 2. What is the end goal of social networking?

Answer: The end goal of social networking is to build relationships or to maintain existing ones. Relations can be professional or among acquaintances, friends or family.

Question 3. Which was the first and most popular social networking site in India?

Answer: Orkut was the very first social networking site to gain traction. However, it is not the first social networking site.

Question 4. Is social networking important?

Answer: Social networking is an important element in today’s world. However, it has the potential to be misused.

Question 5. Give a few examples of social networking sites.

Answer: Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitch, Twitter, etc.

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IELTS Essay: Social Networking Sites

by Dave | Real Past Tests | 5 Comments

IELTS Essay: Social Networking Sites

This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of social networking sites from the real IELTS exam.

Be sure to sign up for my full IELTS EBooks here to support my efforts to keep writing these essays for students:

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Some people think that social networking sites have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many today argue that social media has an overall negative impact on both the average person and society more generally. I am in complete agreement with this opinion as individuals are likely to suffer from an unhealthy addiction and social media can cause fractures in society.

The most obvious effect of social media is on the mental health of individual users. Most people on social media have become to varying degrees addicted to the small dopamine bursts that come from scrolling through their feed, feeling outraged at posts, receiving likes, and making positive or negative comments. Each person is likely to gain satisfaction through a different route but all these self-esteem boosts are unhealthy relative to achieving something in the real world. In some cases, individuals retreat from the real world in favor of a virtual one where the stakes are considerably lower and interactions are safely one-sided.

Additionally, the drawbacks of social media are evident throughout society. There are numerous small groups and communities on Facebook that encourage anti-social impulses. For instance, many people post and read about conspiracy theories online on a daily basis. Over time, these individuals begin to feel isolated from mainstream society and the effects of this can appear during real-world events such as the January 6 insurrection and the Occupy Wall Street movement. Although these actions can be interpreted as protests, the viewpoints being expressed are often too extreme to lead to defensible and pragmatic reform.

In conclusion, social media is an overwhelming negative for both normal citizens and the entirety of society. Since governments are averse to regulation, it is important for individuals to abandon these platforms.

1. Many today argue that social media has an overall negative impact on both the average person and society more generally. 2. I am in complete agreement with this opinion as individuals are likely to suffer from an unhealthy addiction and social media can cause fractures in society.

  • Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
  • Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here .

1. The most obvious effect of social media is on the mental health of individual users. 2. Most people on social media have become to varying degrees addicted to the small dopamine bursts that come from scrolling through their feed, feeling outraged at posts, receiving likes, and making positive or negative comments. 3. Each person is likely to gain satisfaction through a different route but all these self-esteem boosts are unhealthy relative to achieving something in the real world. 4. In some cases, individuals retreat from the real world in favor of a virtual one where the stakes are considerably lower and interactions are safely one-sided.

  • Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  • Explain your main idea.
  • Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
  • Keep developing it fully.

1. Additionally, the drawbacks of social media are evident throughout society. 2. There are numerous small groups and communities on Facebook that encourage anti-social impulses. 3. For instance, many people post and read about conspiracy theories online on a daily basis. 4. Over time, these individuals begin to feel isolated from mainstream society and the effects of this can appear during real-world events such as the January 6 insurrection and the Occupy Wall Street movement. 5. Although these actions can be interpreted as protests, the viewpoints being expressed are often too extreme to lead to defensible and pragmatic reform.

  • Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
  • Explain your new main idea.
  • Include specific details and examples.
  • Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
  • This paragraph can be longer.

1. In conclusion, social media is an overwhelming negative for both normal citizens and the entirety of society. 2. Since governments are averse to regulation, it is important for individuals to abandon these platforms.

  • Summarise your main ideas.
  • Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here .

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

Many today argue that social media has an overall negative impact on both the average person and society more generally . I am in complete agreement with this opinion as individuals are likely to suffer from an unhealthy addiction and social media can cause fractures in society.

The most obvious effect of social media is on the mental health of individual users. Most people on social media have become to varying degrees addicted to the small dopamine bursts that come from scrolling through their feed , feeling outraged at posts , receiving likes , and making positive or negative comments . Each person is likely to gain satisfaction through a different route but all these self-esteem boosts are unhealthy relative to achieving something in the real world . In some cases , individuals retreat from the real world in favor of a virtual one where the stakes are considerably lower and interactions are safely one-sided .

Additionally , the drawbacks of social media are evident throughout society. There are numerous small groups and communities on Facebook that encourage anti-social impulses . For instance, many people post and read about conspiracy theories online on a daily basis . Over time , these individuals begin to feel isolated from mainstream society and the effects of this can appear during real-world events such as the January 6 insurrection and the Occupy Wall Street movement . Although these actions can be interpreted as protests , the viewpoints being expressed are often too extreme to lead to defensible and pragmatic reform .

In conclusion, social media is an overwhelming negative for both normal citizens and the entirety of society. Since governments are averse to regulation , it is important for individuals to abandon these platforms .

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

social media has an overall negative impact on both the average person websites like Facebook hurt most people generally

society more generally all people in a country

I am in complete agreement with this opinion I agree 100%

likely to suffer from probably will be hurt by

unhealthy addiction not a good habit

cause fractures separate people

The most obvious effect of clearest result is

mental health emotional stability

varying degrees addicted to different amounts can’t stop using

small dopamine bursts little bits of pleasure

scrolling through their feed looking through social media

feeling outraged at posts be angry about social media

receiving likes getting thumbs up / love on a post

making positive or negative comments writing good and bad comments

gain satisfaction through a different route feel good in a different way

self-esteem boosts feeling good about yourself

unhealthy relative to achieving something in the real world not good for you compared to doing things in real life

In some cases sometimes

retreat from stop using

in favor of a virtual one caring more about online life

stakes are considerably lower situation is less risky

interactions talking to people

safely one-sided not interacting

Additionally also

drawbacks downsides

evident throughout clear the whole time

numerous small groups and communities many online clubs

encourage anti-social impulses promote being alone

conspiracy theories online on a daily basis crazy ideas every day

Over time as time goes on

feel isolated from mainstream society not feel part of the public discourse

appear during real-world events such as happen in real-life examples including

January 6 insurrection protest in the United States

Occupy Wall Street movement another protest in the United States

actions steps taken

interpreted as protests seen as freedom of speech

viewpoints opinions

expressed said

too extreme to lead to defensible too strong to result in good

pragmatic reform practical change

overwhelming negative for clearly bad for

normal citizens average people

entirety of all of

averse to regulation not interested in making laws

abandon these platforms stop using social media

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search :

ˈsəʊʃəl ˈmiːdiə hæz ən ˈəʊvərɔːl ˈnɛgətɪv ˈɪmpækt ɒn bəʊθ ði ˈævərɪʤ ˈpɜːsn   səˈsaɪəti mɔː ˈʤɛnərəli aɪ æm ɪn kəmˈpliːt əˈgriːmənt wɪð ðɪs əˈpɪnjən   ˈlaɪkli tuː ˈsʌfə frɒm   ʌnˈhɛlθi əˈdɪkʃ(ə)n   kɔːz ˈfrækʧəz   ðə məʊst ˈɒbvɪəs ɪˈfɛkt ɒv   ˈmɛntl hɛlθ   ˈveəriɪŋ dɪˈgriːz əˈdɪktɪd tuː   smɔːl ˈdəʊpəmiːn bɜːsts   ˈskrəʊlɪŋ θruː ðeə fiːd ˈfiːlɪŋ ˈaʊtreɪʤd æt pəʊsts rɪˈsiːvɪŋ laɪks ˈmeɪkɪŋ ˈpɒzətɪv ɔː ˈnɛgətɪv ˈkɒmɛnts geɪn ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən θruː ə ˈdɪfrənt ruːt   sɛlf-ɪsˈtiːm buːsts   ʌnˈhɛlθi ˈrɛlətɪv tuː əˈʧiːvɪŋ ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɪn ðə rɪəl wɜːld .  ɪn sʌm ˈkeɪsɪz rɪˈtriːt frɒm   ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv ə ˈvɜːtjʊəl wʌn   steɪks ɑː kənˈsɪdərəbli ˈləʊə   ˌɪntərˈækʃənz   ˈseɪfli wʌn-ˈsaɪdɪd əˈdɪʃənli ˈdrɔːbæks   ˈɛvɪdənt θru(ː)ˈaʊt   ˈnjuːmərəs smɔːl gruːps ænd kəˈmjuːnɪtiz   ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ ˈænti-ˈsəʊʃəl ˈɪmpʌlsɪz kənˈspɪrəsi ˈθɪəriz ˈɒnˌlaɪn ɒn ə ˈdeɪli ˈbeɪsɪs ˈəʊvə taɪm fiːl ˈaɪsəleɪtɪd frɒm ˈmeɪnstriːm səˈsaɪəti   əˈpɪə ˈdjʊərɪŋ rɪəl-wɜːld ɪˈvɛnts sʌʧ æz   ˈʤænjʊəri   siks ˌɪnsəˈrɛkʃən   ˈɒkjʊpaɪ wɔːl striːt ˈmuːvmənt ˈækʃ(ə)nz   ɪnˈtɜːprɪtɪd æz ˈprəʊtɛsts ˈvjuːpɔɪnts   ɪksˈprɛst   tuː ɪksˈtriːm tuː liːd tuː dɪˈfɛnsəbl   prægˈmætɪk ˌriːˈfɔːm ˌəʊvəˈwɛlmɪŋ ˈnɛgətɪv fɔː   ˈnɔːməl ˈsɪtɪznz   ɪnˈtaɪəti ɒv   əˈvɜːs tuː ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃən əˈbændən ðiːz ˈplætfɔːmz

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

Many today argue that s_____________________________________________________________________n and s__________________________________y . I_____________________________________________n as individuals are l___________________m an u_____________________n and social media can c_________________s in society.

T________________________________f social media is on the m_________________h of individual users. Most people on social media have become to v__________________________o the s__________________s that come from s___________________________d , f_______________________________s , r__________________s , and m___________________________s . Each person is likely to g___________________________________e but all these s_______________________s are u__________________________________________________d . I____________________s , individuals r______________m the real world i____________________________________e where the s______________________________r and i____________s are s____________________d .

A________________y , the d________________s of social media are e_________________t society. There are n_____________________________________________s on Facebook that e_____________________________________s . For instance, many people post and read about c_________________________________________________s . O_______e , these individuals begin to f___________________________________y and the effects of this can a_____________________________________s the J__________________________________n and the O_______________________________t . Although these a_________s can be i_____________________s , the v_______________s being e___________d are often t________________________________e and p______________m .

In conclusion, social media is an o_____________________________r both n________________s and the e________________f society. Since governments are a__________________________n , it is important for individuals to a_______________________s .

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities :

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice :

https://time.com/6240981/social-media-addiction-app/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam :

Mobile Phones and Smartphones

  • What are the advantages of smartphones?
  • Should children be allowed to own smartphones?
  • Do you thinks have a major or minor impact on mental health?
  • Where in your country is it not appropriate to use a phone?
  • Do you think smartphone usage may decline in the future?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:

Many people believe that social networking sites (such as Facebook) have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Social Networking Sites (Real IELTS Test)

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Anonymous

Nowadays, many people argue that social media platforms affects enormous effect on individual and society. I completely agree with this opinion and will show some light for the same in this essay. Social media platforms such as Instagram, facebook, whatsapp impacts an average person in such a malicious manner which he leads to be more fugitive, annoying and anxious about his likes , dislikes on his profile on these platforms among other. Recently my cousin was so into his IG profile that any new post he makes he makes sure the likes and comment he gets more than previous one. This is making our generation very sceptical about their image in society being dependend on likes and comment on their post.

Moreover our society too is getting impacted by this addiction majorly the young generation of the country.  They think being more tech savvy on these platforms make them feel more important and cool. However, in society it has led to no celebrations, no group activities, or no social gatherings like earlier it used to takes place to commemorate enthusiastically festivals or birthdays. For instance, earlier in my neighbourhood there used to be annual gatherings for annul meet, this year it was conducted online via Video call. By this it states that we are being more reticent and reserved from jocund and light hearted.

By this I can conclude that an individual must quit the online platform addiction and focus more on outdoor activities and be more convivial and jolly rather being more in the virtual world. 

Anonymous

Hi, could you/anyone mention the country where this questions were published??

Dave

When students mention that in their reports I will, but typically I think the country doesn’t really matter…

Anonymous

Actually I am from India

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Essay on Social Media for School Students and Children

500+ words essay on social media.

Social media is a tool that is becoming quite popular these days because of its user-friendly features. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more are giving people a chance to connect with each other across distances. In other words, the whole world is at our fingertips all thanks to social media. The youth is especially one of the most dominant users of social media. All this makes you wonder that something so powerful and with such a massive reach cannot be all good. Like how there are always two sides to a coin, the same goes for social media. Subsequently, different people have different opinions on this debatable topic. So, in this essay on Social Media, we will see the advantages and disadvantages of social media.

Essay on Social Media

Advantages of Social Media

When we look at the positive aspect of social media, we find numerous advantages. The most important being a great device for education . All the information one requires is just a click away. Students can educate themselves on various topics using social media.

Moreover, live lectures are now possible because of social media. You can attend a lecture happening in America while sitting in India.

Furthermore, as more and more people are distancing themselves from newspapers, they are depending on social media for news. You are always updated on the latest happenings of the world through it. A person becomes more socially aware of the issues of the world.

In addition, it strengthens bonds with your loved ones. Distance is not a barrier anymore because of social media. For instance, you can easily communicate with your friends and relatives overseas.

Most importantly, it also provides a great platform for young budding artists to showcase their talent for free. You can get great opportunities for employment through social media too.

Another advantage definitely benefits companies who wish to promote their brands. Social media has become a hub for advertising and offers you great opportunities for connecting with the customer.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Disadvantages of Social Media

Despite having such unique advantages, social media is considered to be one of the most harmful elements of society. If the use of social media is not monitored, it can lead to grave consequences.

essay on impact of social networking sites

Thus, the sharing on social media especially by children must be monitored at all times. Next up is the addition of social media which is quite common amongst the youth.

This addiction hampers with the academic performance of a student as they waste their time on social media instead of studying. Social media also creates communal rifts. Fake news is spread with the use of it, which poisons the mind of peace-loving citizens.

In short, surely social media has both advantages and disadvantages. But, it all depends on the user at the end. The youth must particularly create a balance between their academic performances, physical activities, and social media. Excess use of anything is harmful and the same thing applies to social media. Therefore, we must strive to live a satisfying life with the right balance.

essay on impact of social networking sites

FAQs on Social Media

Q.1 Is social media beneficial? If yes, then how?

A.1 Social media is quite beneficial. Social Media offers information, news, educational material, a platform for talented youth and brands.

Q.2 What is a disadvantage of Social Media?

A.2 Social media invades your privacy. It makes you addicted and causes health problems. It also results in cyberbullying and scams as well as communal hatred.

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The Use of Social Networking Sites and Its Impact on Adolescents’ Emotional Well-Being: a Scoping Review

  • Internet Use Disorders (H-J Rumpf and J Billieux, Section Editors)
  • Published: 28 September 2022
  • Volume 9 , pages 518–539, ( 2022 )

Cite this article

essay on impact of social networking sites

  • Rossella Bottaro   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9232-164X 1 &
  • Palmira Faraci   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7377-8011 1  

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7 Citations

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Purpose of Review

The rapid development of social networking sites (SNSs) has affected adolescents’ well-being with great impact on social experience. In this scoping review, we aimed to map out what is known from the most recent literature about adolescents’ emotional well-being and the role of emotional regulation skills in preventing problematic SNS use. We used the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework, and we based the study selection procedure on the PRISMA process. Then, we selected 52 English and peer-reviewed papers from PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Wiley Online Library, and Web of Science.

Recent Findings

We found both positive and negative effects of SNS use on adolescents’ emotions with online self-presentation and social comparison as key mechanisms to explain differences in subjective well-being. The risk of developing problematic use of SNSs is influenced by time spent on SNSs, active or passive use, and adolescents’ social and emotional skills.

This review suggested the importance of emotional experiences and social support in both in-person and online interactions. Future research is needed to provide the basis for a better forthcoming classification of problematic SNS use.

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The association between self-reported depressive symptoms and the use of social networking sites (SNS): A meta-analysis

essay on impact of social networking sites

Exploring the Role of Problematic Social Network Site Use in the Link Between Reflective Functioning and Identity Processes in Adolescents

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Introduction

With the rapid development of information technologies, social networking sites (SNSs) play an increasingly important role in providing new interpersonal communication channels [ 1 ]. According to Kuss and Griffhits [ 2 ], SNSs are «virtual communities where users can create individual public profiles, interact with real-life friends, and meet other people based on shared interests.» For the “digital native” [ 3 ] generation, online interaction and support may be as effective as face-to-face contact [ 4 ••], and life without digital communication is inconceivable [ 5 ]. The first SNS was SixDegrees in 1997, but it would not be until 2003 that the first social network, MySpace, would be known worldwide.

Despite the large number of studies that have investigated SNSs, there continues to be a gap in our understanding of why young people use SNSs (for a review: [ 6 ]). Early research has focused on digital platforms that exhibit similar characteristics for unraveling types of user behaviors. For example, Brandtzæg and Heim [ 7 ] highlighted that people who choose to use blogs as a medium of immediate social interaction have as a commonality the desire to pour out their feelings. Also, they feel a sense of connection with new and old friends. Other studies have shown that a sense of ownership, visibility, and shared interests [ 8 ] are essential for adolescents’ development. In particular, young girls revealed that they use SNSs to comment on photos, videos, or updates of others, whereas young males were more likely to use SNSs to play games [ 9 ].

Previous research has disagreed on the effect of SNSs on users’ well-being, and the modality of use (e.g., passive or active use) could be a discriminant factor [ 10 , 11 ,  12 ]. Moderate use of SNSs has been found to be associated with greater social support [ 13 ], socialization [ 14 ], participation in public and political life [ 15 ], and affirmation of one’s online identity [ 16 ]. However, Herrero et al. [ 17 ] indicated that social support predicts later addiction to the smartphone and that smartphone addiction decreases social support over time. Further, adolescents do not perceive a real difference between online and “physical” social support [ 4 ••]. Despite these evidences, the problematic use of SNS is not yet recognized in the official clinical classifications (i.e., Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 [ 18 ] and International Classification of Disease-11 [ 19 ]; DSM-5 and ICD-11). It is suggested as a potential condition that requires further investigations based on the purposed criteria for gaming disorder and gambling disorder in ICD-11 [ 20 •].

Based on previous research [ 21 ]—applying the Goffman [ 22 ] dramaturgical model also on digital interactions—SNS users imagine themselves in front of a great audience and create a self-image that is shared daily on their profiles. The younger users post their great moments online―but not their negative moments, experiences, emotions, and so on―so that they can show the best of themselves [ 21 ]. The social comparison with these unreachable models of perfection and happiness can have an unfavorable impact on younger users’ life satisfaction and mental health outcomes [ 23 , 24 ].

Indeed, excessive use of new technologies may increase psychological distress in terms of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and insomnia [ 25 , 26 ,  27 ]. The flow experience of SNS use has been indicated as a key risk factor in the development of addiction due to emotion avoidance [ 28 •], especially for vulnerable populations (e.g., adolescents) showing marked novelty seeking, low self-control [ 29 ], and difficulties in offline emotional relationships [ 30 ].

Thompson [ 31 ] defined emotional regulation as «the extrinsic and intrinsic process responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and modifying emotional reactions, especially their intensive and temporal features to accomplish one’s goal.» According to the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution Model (I-PACE; [ 32 ••]), deficits in emotion regulation skills may represent a risk factor for substantial and non-substantial addiction [ 33 , 34 ]. Difficulties in emotion regulation were found to be directly and indirectly associated with problematic social media use in a group of Italian adolescents [ 35 ]. Moreover, this theoretical model acknowledges the contribution of mood regulation in lessening the development of internet-use disorders [ 36 ].

Younger people who are more engaged in SNS flow may exhibit the fear of missing out (FOMO), which is described as the “pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent” [ 37 ]. FOMO is a predictor of smartphone addiction [ 38 ] and, in particular, phubbing as its special form. This refers to the act of snubbing others in social relations by focusing on one’s smartphone instead of having a conversation in person [ 38 ]. Adolescents with high levels of parental phubbing showed problematic smartphone use, depression symptoms, and low self-esteem [ 39 •, 40 •].

Current Study

To date, a number of studies have evaluated the impact of SNSs on users’ emotional well-being [ 41 ], but the results are still controversial. Hence, a scoping review—using a systematic approach—may be valuable in providing a broad view on the topic, with a focus on the more recent studies. Therefore, we decided to apply the scoping review technique in order to identify the key concepts/definitions mostly used in the literature so that we could refer to the emotional well-being among adolescents who use SNSs. Our goal included mapping research activity within this specifically delimited area of study and identifying the gaps that may exist within the related literature.

This scoping review may serve as a systematization of the latest literature (i.e., the last 20 years) from a new point of view. Indeed, even though previous reviews concerned the general well-being among adolescent users of SNSs, the present contribution aims to provide a summary of the previous findings specifically related to emotional well-being. This study can be understood as a specific focus on a broad problem because it focuses on emotions as a specific variable instead of generic psychopathological implications (e.g., anxiety and depression). Consistent with this purpose, a scoping review is the most appropriate and robust methodology for our research conduct [ 42 ].

We structured this review according to Arksey and O’Malley’s [ 43 ] methodological framework. A scoping study can provide a rigorous and transparent method of research for mapping research findings compared with a systematic review, even if it is less likely to seek the quality assessment of included studies and the protection against bias risks. According to the required procedure, we adopted the following steps for conducting our scoping study: (1) identifying the research question; (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) study selection, according to the PRISMA statement [ 44 ]; (4) charting the data; and (5) collating, summarizing, and reporting the results.

Identifying the Review Questions

The aim of this scoping review was to map the current literature about the use of SNSs and emotional user experience among adolescent population, identify gaps that may exist within the literature, and consider implications for future research. Specific questions to be addressed included the following: (1) What is known from the existing literature about adolescents’ use of SNSs and its implication on their emotions; and (2) what knowledge is currently available on the role of emotional skills in preventing problematic SNS use?

Study Identification

To find papers concerning adolescents’ emotional experience during the use of SNSs, we searched the following keywords in both the title and abstract: (1) social networking sites OR social media; (2) emotion OR affect OR mood OR feeling OR emotive; and (3) adolescent OR teenager OR young adults OR teen OR youth. We searched the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Wiley Online Library, and Web of Science. To identify most of the available literature, according to the recent diffusion of SNSs, we screened papers published in the last 20 years. According to our eligibility criteria, we selected the following: (1) English full-text papers; (2) papers published in peer-review journals; and (3) papers focused on emotional experiences in adolescence (i.e., from 12 to 18 years old). However, given that the samples often had ranges conflicting with ours, we also included those studies whose samples’ mean age diverged by max 2 SD from our upper margin. Conversely, we excluded the following: (1) dissertation thesis, abstract, and books; (2) studies that referred to other age groups (i.e., children, adults, and old adults); (3) studies that referred to psychiatric illness; and (4) studies related to experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic; we decided not to consider the studies specifically referring to the pandemic because the internet was the only available means of socialization. It would be inadequate to compare results derived from radically different contexts. We also excluded (5) papers not focused directly on emotions as a variable. The study-selection procedure has been shown in the Fig.  1 , which was based on the PRISMA statement [ 44 ].

figure 1

PRISMA flow chart for steps of scoping review

Study Selection

We analyzed an initial pool of 2387 papers. According to our eligibility criteria, and after deleting 13 duplicates, we screened 2374 papers. Among these studies, 483 were dissertation theses or abstracts, 96 were written in others languages, and the remaining were irrelevant; that is, they did not meet the eligibility criteria. For example, 32 of them were studies conducted on psychiatric adolescents. Finally, we selected 52 papers. Figure  1 presents the PRISMA study-selection process.

Data Charting

Based on Arksey and O’Malley’s [ 43 ] methodological framework, we summarized or charted the 52 selected papers in Table 1 , which briefly notes studies’ relevant results, sample characteristics, instruments, and methodologies.

Description of Included Studies

The 52 included studies were conducted in various countries (i.e., Italy, Germany, Turkey, and the USA). According to the timing of SNSs’ worldwide deployment, most of these have been conducted in the last 10 years. Therefore, using a time range of 20 years has shown to be a reasonable choice for a temporal range large enough to include most of the available literature on the topic. We gathered findings from 44,880 participants (range 8–10,563; M age  = 15.19; SD = 1.24). The most used psychometric instrument to evaluate SNS addictive behavior was the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS; [ 45 ]), but some studies used generic scales for measuring internet addiction, such as the Young Internet Addiction Test (YIAT; [ 46 ]), the Smartphone Addiction Scale [ 47 ], and ad hoc questionnaires (for more information, see Table 1 ).

Positive Effects of SNS Use on Adolescents’ Emotions

In the current review, we found various positive effects related to how adolescents use SNSs, especially in socialization, sensation seeking, and entertainment [ 48 , 49 ]. The most important benefit came from the social support provided by online friends or followers. Cole et al. [ 13 ] highlighted that social support, both in-person and online, could offset some of the negative consequences of peers’ victimization and reduce depressive symptoms through the search for online positive emotion [ 50 ]. Indeed, the researchers showed that online social support is less redundant than in-person support among those who already have supportive in-person relationships. Online flow could reduce the feelings of loneliness among adolescents who use SNSs so that they can enhance their existing relationships or look for new friends [ 25 ]. Adolescents reported positive feelings when they received a “like” for their online contents, but they sometimes described these feelings as “false,” “unreal,” and “fleeting” [ 51 ].

The use of a mobile phone, rather than a personal computer, makes it easier to access SNSs and establish constant connection with friends [ 52 ]. Online interactions showed a positive emotional effect on prosocial behavior [ 53 ] and allowed for the formation of groups and online communities [ 54 ]. Moreover, the SNSs could generate a positive emotional contagion due to the vision of positive digital contents [ 55 ••]. Indeed, Vossen and Valkenburg [ 56 ] highlighted that social media use was related with higher cognitive and affective empathy, showing an increased ability to understand and share the feelings of their peers. Finally, these findings suggested that lonely people who have great social skills could improve their emotional well-being on SNSs.

Adolescents’ Online Self-Presentation and Social Comparison

The online relationships are characterized by feedback for the published contents, especially for shared personal photos and videos. Thanks to the various available communication mediums (e.g., photos, texts, and videos), adolescents perceived more authenticity in self-presentation [ 55 ••]. Recent research has shown [ 57 ] that self-construction and distance from others are mostly influenced by receiving positive feedbacks. The “like” mechanism can have an impact on self-acceptance or social isolation and control the association between personality and digital identity. Thus, feedback (“likes”) can be interpreted as measures of self-worth [ 55 ••, 58 ]. However, Shankleman et al. [ 55 ••] underlined that adolescents used SNSs to express their distinctiveness and to maintain a sense of continuity of identity over time.

Several studies [ 10 ,  59 ] have suggested that social comparison is a key mechanism to explain differences in subjective well-being. This comparison was predicted through the passive use of SNSs. In addition, the intensive use of SNSs could reduce self-concept clarity [ 60 ]. Recent literature [ 57 , 61 ] has also shown gender differences in online self-presentation: female adolescents were likely to modify their online self-presentation by editing their photos, which led to lower self-acceptance, including reduced body and life satisfaction [ 10 , 62 ]. Indeed, SNSs make online social status comparisons easier, with negative emotional consequences [ 63 ], regardless of explicit negative comments [ 64 ]. For example, adolescent girls undergoing treatment for obesity «undertook self-presentation strategies to conceal weight-related content such as avoiding showing close-up photos of their bodies and not posting images of unhealthy ‘fattening’ foods» [ 61 ]. Comparing themselves to others predicted objectified body consciousness [ 65 ], increased anxiety symptoms as well as compulsive profile-checking behaviors [ 51 ] for both adolescent girls and boys [ 66 •], and amplified the gap between self-beliefs and perceived peer standards of beauty [ 67 ]. Finally, young males who reported speaking to online friends regarding their personal problems described greater levels of psychological well-being [ 68 ].

Negative Effects of SNS Use on Adolescents’ Emotions

Use of SNSs can also have negative effects [ 63 , 69 ]. When the SNSs are used to escape from the real social world, avoiding negative emotions and in-person interactions, feelings of loneliness and the risk of SNS addiction may be high [ 25 , 70 ]. Some research has also suggested that electronic intrusiveness is associated with in-person dating violence perpetration [ 71 ]. The online risks were associated with both active and passive use [ 72 – 74 ]. However, passive SNS use (i.e., watching videos) was associated with increasing anxious and depressive symptoms and a substantial reduction of life satisfaction, whereas active use (i.e., posting online) was associated with rising users’ well-being and life satisfaction, especially among young girls [ 75 ]. In particular, feelings of depression seemed to trigger higher SNS involvement for girls, and anxious symptoms seemed to trigger higher SNS involvement for boys [ 76 ].

Teenagers themselves perceived the SNSs to be a threat to their mental well-being [ 77 ]. Many adolescents used various strategies to avoid negative feedback, including posting less content than their peers [ 51 ] because of the fear of being judged [ 55 ••]. Indeed, Marin-Lopez et al. [ 78 ] showed that people who use more emotional online content are more exposed to the risk of cybervictimization (e.g., cyberbullying). SNS communities might generate alienation and ostracism [ 54 ]. More lonely adolescents disclosed their personal and relationship information than adolescents with satisfied physical relationships [ 79 ]. Male and older adolescents, who set their SNS profile as public, have a larger online network size, and having strangers on an SNS friend list increases self-disclosure [ 80 ]. Lastly, the amount of time spent on SNSs may affect the risk of addictive behavior and insomnia [ 55 ••, 81 ], especially for adolescents with a dysfunctional attachment to parents and peers [ 55 ••, 82 ]. Some research has highlighted that male and older teenagers are more stressed by SNS use and that they also feel they spend too much time on such platforms [ 55 ••, 83 ], thus showing lower self-esteem and increased instances of depressed mood [ 84 , 85 ]. FOMO is a predictor of SNS use and resulting in detriment of in-person relationships (i.e., phubbing) [ 76 , 86 ].

Emotional Regulation

Emotional regulation skills may be important targets in preventing problematic SNS use [ 1 ,  87 ]. In particular, some research has found an association between moderate levels of SNS disorders and deficits in emotional regulation in both directions [ 35 , 50 , 88 ]. Indeed, access to SNSs may serve to counter emotions like boredom and anger [ 55 ••, 88 , 89 ]. Spada and Marino [ 89 ] showed that emotion regulation has a direct negative effect on problematic internet disorders among adolescents. Also, the ability to recover quickly from negative emotions inversely predicted SNS addiction [ 1 ]. The expression of negative emotions was more reactive in positive than in negative online interactions [ 90 ]. Moreover, based on Marin-Lopez et al. [ 78 ], great levels of online emotional skills protected adolescents from cybervictimization and cyberperpetration. However, other research [ 91 ] has shown that worse emotion recognition predicted SNS addiction.

Finally, two recent studies [ 92 , 93 ] did not show agreement about the differences in emotional sharing between various SNSs. Generally, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat were mostly used to share positive emotions; conversely, Whatsapp, Twitter, and Messenger were mostly used to share negative emotions. In conclusion, the risk of problematic SNS use was higher in adolescents with deficits in emotional regulation [ 66 •].

Of the 52 selected papers, 26 are recent findings (last 5 years). Most of them are cross-sectional studies which investigated the relationship between problematic SNS use and indicators of psychological disease (e.g., anxiety and depression). These results are essentially in line with prior evidences, but they also improve the previous point of view with new studied variables. Moreover, 5 of the 6 reviews are recent: this shows the urgency of results’ systematization in order to finally propose a nomothetic classification of the disorder in the main diagnostic manuals [ 20 •].

This scoping review included 52 papers that studied the emotional experiences associated with SNS use during adolescence. Most of the articles were published in the last 10 years. This has shown that choosing a time range of 20 years has offered a sufficiently broad perspective in offering a complete review on the subject. The most used psychometric scale for evaluating SNS addictive behavior is the BSMAS, but the use of various scales in the selected papers has highlighted its ambiguous theoretical definition. In fact, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5; [ 18 ]) has not yet definitively included SNS addiction. Further research, as well as the present scoping review, may be worthwhile in increasing and systematizing both empirical and theoretical knowledge, leading to progress in diagnostic classification with consequent clinical implications, such as the individuation of risk and protective factors.

Some studies have shown the positive effects of SNS use for the socialization and reduction of psychological symptoms [ 49 , 50 ]. The mobile devices increased the frequency of SNS use [ 52 ], and online social support was less redundant than in-person support [ 94 ]. Indeed, online friends might be more numerous than offline ones, and feedback from others (i.e., “likes” and comments) may be more numerous in online spaces than in physical interactions [ 51 ]. Adolescents who shared their emotions on SNS improved their cognitive and affective empathy [ 56 ] using online communities to improve their social skills [ 54 ] with positive emotional contagion [ 55 ••]. Based on these findings, online relationships—also increased by the portability of smartphones that establish a constant sense of closeness [ 95 ]—could be a valuable source of positive emotions capable of improving interactions with old and new friends. As a practical implication, planning a common set of rules for civil coexistence in online environments is crucial in encouraging healthy and enriching relationships. Formal and informal learning contexts, such as schools and cultural associations, should promote opportunities to address these issues by exploiting the internet resources and being a better online citizen.

However, SNSs are also an online space providing wider opportunities for adolescent users to interact with other peers. According to previous research [ 57 ], the “like” mechanism can be a negative emotional experience when the published contents (i.e., photos and videos) do not receive the expected feedback. Both self-acceptance and self-worth [ 58 ] might be negatively affected by receiving a few likes on one’s own photos [ 51 ], even if the young males disclosing their own personal problems receive good online support [ 68 ]. As a matter of fact, feedback from others, especially from peers, is particularly significant during adolescence. Also, the distress caused by a lack of approval is a risk factor for emotion regulation, psychopathology, and life satisfaction [ 10 , 63 , 64 ], especially when referring to body consciousness and body perfect ideal issues [ 55 ••, 65 , 67 ]. As a clinical implication, self-esteem–enhancement programs could prevent the development of psychiatric symptoms, including addictive behaviors and emotional consequences. Some research [ 59 ] has shown that online social comparison is a key mechanism in explaining the impact on subjective well-being. Because people look at the profiles of successful others, their own life can never live up to these unattainable models. Hence, clinical practice with adolescents (who are also creating their identity through comparison with peers’ online profiles) should pay attention to their online activities because these experiences are as impactful as those that are in person. Young girls appeared to be more vulnerable to these risks than boys [ 57 ]. As a possible explanation, adolescent girls are more interested in social interactions than boys. Further empirical observations are necessary to study the gender differences in the motivation to stay online (e.g., using a between-subjects design).

When SNSs are used to escape from the real social world, avoiding in-person interactions and negative emotions, the risk of developing SNS addiction increased [ 25 , 72 , 75 , 81 , 84 ]. As a possible explanation, the online world is a space where in-person social interactions are avoided, thus preventing them from developing new social skills. As a result, users keep their difficulties to themselves by continuing to isolate themselves from social reality. On a clinical level, it is important to prevent social isolation and social withdrawal when working in groups and practicing social skills. Research has also shown differences in gender-related SNS addiction: Depressive symptoms triggered higher SNS engagement for girls, whereas anxious symptoms triggered higher SNS engagement for boys [ 76 ]. As a practical implication, online contents related to anxious and depressive symptoms should receive more attention to prevent the development of psychological problems. For example, consideration for negative emotional content could be an external trigger for self-evaluation. Indeed, people who used more emotional online content received heightened exposure to the risk of cybervictimization [ 78 ]. Also, lonely older male teenagers shared more personal information, especially when they used a public profile with a large number of unknown online friends [ 79 , 80 ]. Based on these findings, male adolescents who are lacking social skills are likely to try to overcome their own difficulties through virtual relationships that provide an illusory sense of protection, especially with unknown others. Therefore, it would be desirable to increase involvement in positive social learning experiences for adolescents, even within formal institutions such as schools, in order to prevent problematic internet use and possible social withdrawal. People who experienced dysfunctional attachment to parents and peers [ 82 ] and FOMO spent more time engaged in SNS flow, regardless of their social relationships (i.e., phubbing) [ 76 , 83 , 86 ]. Based on these foregoing facts, psychologists should pay attention to adolescents’ online identity and shared posts in order to form a complete picture of their social resources. To improve the knowledge centered on communication skills in relevant contexts, future research could focus on the differences between online and offline interactions.

Lastly, we reviewed papers examining emotion regulation patterns in SNSs. Users who are able to recover quickly from negative emotion, as well as report great levels of online emotional skills, showed less risk of developing an addictive behavior [ 1 , 29 , 50 , 66 •, 87 – 89 ]. SNS users take advantage of emotion-related skills to widen their chances of meeting new friends. However, the results are controversial. Indeed, previous research [ 90 ] has highlighted that positive emotion expressions were more reactive than negative ones in online interactions. As a possible explanation, negative emotion expressions may be especially impactful for adolescents’ online reputation. Working on social skills may be beneficial in achieving improved online prosocial behavior that could prevent cybervictimizations. Additional research [ 91 ] has not found any association between emotional recognition and SNS addiction. Specifically, according to the biopsychosocial model, emotional dysfunction may not be enough to explain the SNS addiction process, which involves a number of factors. Further research is needed to overcome these inconsistencies. Finally, no agreement emerged regarding the positive or negative prevalence of emotional content in various online platforms [ 92 ].

In conclusion, in the present scoping review, we aimed to elucidate gaps in the literature regarding the impact of SNSs on users’ emotional well-being. Moderate use of these online spaces could serve as an avenue for improving social relationships through the provided online social support from friends and followers. However, excessive use could be a risk factor for SNS addiction, especially when SNS became a space to escape from emotions. Further research should study constructs related to emotional well-being in order to improve theoretical knowledge and develop training programs for practicing online social skills. With regards to the role of emotion regulation in protecting against problematic SNS use, emotional and social skills could increase adolescents’ ability to establish satisfactory relationships in both physical and online contexts. Socially competent adolescents may be able to recognize the boundaries of online information-sharing practice, thus receiving social support without violating their personal privacy.

Review Limitations

The results of this scoping review should be interpreted with caution because of some limitations. The first notable limitation is that the data consisted of only 52 empirical studies published in peer-reviewed international journals in English in the last 20 years. Furthermore, we selected the most recent studies on the emotional well-being of adolescents using SNSs. However, we could not identify possible differences in the purpose of SNS use among adolescents with respect to age subgroups because of the limited data. Further research should expand on age differences in order to determine the distribution of SNS addiction across different adolescent age subgroups because variations in the stage of maturity are not uncommon. Likewise, the results of the study do raise a concern as to whether the methodology used in the examined studies (i.e., cross-sectional, longitudinal, and review) might introduce bias. However, analyzing these biases goes beyond the objectives of a scoping review. Further research should consider these methodological aspects and discuss the effect sizes of the detected associations.

In addition, we selected generic search keywords (i.e., emotion, affect, mood, and feeling); as a result, some documents focusing on specific emotions (e.g., happiness, fear, and anger) could have been excluded. Consistent with the wide objective of the present scoping review, we chose this solution as the most effective one. Lastly, in accordance with Arksey and O’Malley [ 43 ], we used a scoping review to explore the current knowledge about a very broad and complex topic, but this method has some well-known limits. When the number of papers analyzing specific emotions increases, future studies should summarize the theoretical and empirical evidences by means of systematic review or meta-analysis.

This scoping review provided initial evidences to understand the implications of SNS use on adolescents’ emotional well-being. The goal was to provide a review of more recent theoretical and empirical studies in order to add to the knowledge on this topic and provide a basis for a better forthcoming classification of SNS addiction (or problematic use). Our results suggested the importance of emotional experiences and social support in both in-person and online relationships. According to the great prevalence of SNSs in modern life, these findings encourage further investigations into psychological needs and disorders connected to SNS use, with the aim of developing a scientific knowledge base regarding this widespread behavior among adolescents.

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Bottaro, R., Faraci, P. The Use of Social Networking Sites and Its Impact on Adolescents’ Emotional Well-Being: a Scoping Review. Curr Addict Rep 9 , 518–539 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-022-00445-4

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