How Does Social Media Affect Relationships

Why do people prefer to spend time on social networks instead of sharing moments in real time with loved ones? It is well known that social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter, were created to connect people and strengthen friendships. However, it is also true that social media is dividing families, friends and society instead of connecting them. Social media is hurting the quality of real relationships because its usage involves negative effects such as wasted time, private information shared, and bullying.

Interpersonal relationships develop between two or more people in a private or community setting. Social Media, is the new tool for meeting people, forming relationships and reconnecting with lost friends and loved ones. In fact, since Social Media websites like, Match.com, Facebook, Instagram, just to name a few have come into existence an influx of relationships have formed. Surprisingly, Social Media is accessible by many devices, smartphone, tablets, laptops and the good old reliable desktop. Provided that the internet is present, social media links are available from any website, selections listed among multiple advertisements. Social Media, does enhance interpersonal relationships.

Social networking sites (referred to more broadly as social media) are a collection of websites and applications that enable users to swap ideas, post updates and comments, and participate in activities and events while sharing their interests with other users. From general chit-chat to propagating breaking news, scheduling a date to following election results, gentle humor to serious research, social networking sites are used for a variety of reasons by various user communities. Nowadays, nearly every person who has access to a computer and Internet indulges in some kind of social networking on a daily basis. The introduction of social media has changed the entire dynamics of our lifestyles: the ways we live, work, and maintain our friendships. Despite its numerous advantages, social media does yield some negative effects. However, the benefits of social media greatly outweigh its negative effects.

Throughout history women specifically have felt the need to change their physical appearance in order to be accepted by societies beauty ideal. Social media has influenced women to believe that the word “beauty” defines the outward appearance according to the internets definition — “beauty is a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.” The definition itself allows anyone to mistakenly interpret the word “beauty” to determine whether or not the physical appearance is attractive enough to be considered beautiful. There are so many emphasis placed on a person’s physical appearance that makes one “beautiful" and “desirable" such the numbers on a scale or measurement, youth, color of skin, etc., but for those who do not meet the media’s ideal expectations are judged or ridiculed. Social media perceives a strong influence on women and what people define beauty to be, but realistically, humans are built to be compelled by enhanced images that are presented in advertisement that create an illusion and fantasy that people admire. The ideal physical appearance that is propagated tends to connect with numerous organizations whose profits promote cosmetics to illuminate facial structures, photoshopped images of famous figures seen in magazines or ads, and cosmetic procedures including liposuction, breast enlargement, and plastic surgery to attain the perfect body ideal. With the continuation of women believing in

Thin models and actresses appear to be the standardin today’s media, ever-present on television, and in magazines, movies,and Internet sites. Advertisements targetingyoung women feature thin and beautiful models in desirable circumstances in order to sell clothing, accessories, and other products. There is a mediated normfor body image in present-day culture, and it is characterized by bodies that are extremely thin (Hendriks&Burgoon, 2003). This mediated thin-ideal is present in mainstream media, and mainstream media are a source women turn to for information about how to look (Hendriks, 2002). Consequently, women who are heavy viewers of thin-ideal media may develop the attitude that thinness is socially desirable, experience greater body

However, due to of these mixed findings regarding the effect of the media on body satisfaction in terms of social comparison theory (Mills, Polivy, Herman, & Tiggemann, 2002), recent research began to look at social comparison as a means of self enhancement and mood regulation, rather than a simple means of self-evaluation (Gruder, 1971; Wills, 1981). The above question posed by Knoblock-Westerwich and Crane (2012) seems to be answered in the concepts of upward and downward social comparisons. Wills (1981) explained that downward social comparisons occur when an individual compares themselves to another individual and finds the other individual to be lacking in some way. On the other hand, upward social comparisons occur when an individual compares themselves to another individual and finds themselves to be the one lacking. In regard to this concept, Bailey and Ricciardelli (2010) asserted the fact that upward social comparison is the process at the forefront of body dissatisfaction as it exists in today’s society. They theorized that women who are exposed to thin-ideal media are given a wide range of thin models to compare themselves to. This is the point in which the concept of the thin-ideal media and the theory of social comparisons intersect. As these thin ideal images become more accessible—which is indeed the case according to Wiseman, Gray, Mosimann, and Ahrens (1992), as well as Park (2005)—these ideal images have the potential to be internalized by some women, which may result in decreased body satisfaction due to upward social comparisons. In a similar study, Tiggemann and Slater (2003) suggested that “the process of social comparison may provide the mechanism by which exposure to media images induces negative effects” (p. 50). Tantleff-Dunn and Gokee suggested

Technology separates people because it nurtures addictions. For example, in her CNN article, Sandee LaMotte says that the overuse of cell phones has made people addicted to them, and as a result, has negatively affected people’s relationships with friends and family. Specifically, she says that people can get ‘nomophobia’ characterized by anxiety when they don’t have their phone on them. This can cause depression, which in turn distracts people, and affects relationships, because no one wants to have face-to-face conversations. LaMotte quotes Caglar Yildirim, who created a scale to test addiction ‘ “[Overuse of phones] might negatively affect your social life and relationships with friends and family," [...] those who score high on the test tend to avoid face-to-face interactions, have high levels of social anxiety and maybe even depression” ’ LaMotte believes that addiction to phones can reduce physical time with other people, to an extent at which it can harm relationships, and slowly tear people apart. In another example, in her 2011 social media article, Deborah Mackey that addiction to phones and social media can limit the amount of time people spend with each other. Mackey states that a large percent of people use their phones while with friends or family, and many even use their phones at meal times.

The topic I have chosen to focus on throughout this paper is discussion one which is based on the affects of technology on relationships.

According to “No: Relationships Are Being Enhanced, not Replaced” by Keith N. Hampton, he reports, “In studies with my students and collaborators, we have found that Internet and Cellphone users, especially those who use social media, tend to have more diverse and a larger number of close relationships” (7). In other words, communication technologies has made a multitude of relationships more unbroken and universal. This change is how we can connect with one another. Equally important, an individual’s awareness of what is going on around them gone up. In the article, “No Relationships Are Being Enhanced, not Replaced” it states, “All that information also contributes to our awareness of the world around us.

Many studies analyze the effects of social media has on our body-image. They consist of the relationship that mass media has on how we perceive our bodies and how body dissatisfaction occurs consequently. Correlational studies have been conducted that support the idea that many women worry about their body image because they do not fit the stereotypical body portrayed through media. Studies by Vonderan and Kinnally (2012) show that television and media exposure seem to have very significant correlations to internalization of the thin ideal, still their impact was overshadowed by other factors. These factors will be discussed in the next section. The strongest media factor related to internalization of the thin ideal and it contribution to the

Describe how does social media affects how people see us. What are some of the negative and positive effects of participating in social media sites such as Facebook?

In my most recent blog post I spoke about how technological advancements as well as how dating services has made it more difficult for the youth and adults of society to sustain healthy relationships. Twice as many young adults ages 25-30 first viewed pornography before puberty than did the next generation. Which is a very staggering amount of people loosing their virginities to virtual reality. Only one in 20 young adults and one in 10 teens say their friends think viewing pornography is a bad thing. Our generation has gotten very comfortable with technology that not only do they lose their virginities to technology now teens have became more comfortable establishing social groups of friends online.

With the increasing percentage of today’s females struggling with personal body image issues, the media has been criticized for playing a critical role in bringing body discontentment upon the female population; several theories help explain how this discontentment happens. Media is the primary public means used around the world to relay ideas, values, norms, attitudes and behaviors (Lopez-Guimera et al.388). Society is bombarded throughout their daily lives with different forms of media relaying a wide variety of messages. The thin ideal set by the mass media has become the standard for female beauty and has played a major role in how women perceive themselves. From waking up to the radio advertizing the newest diet supplement offering a free sample for a limited time only, to seeing a billboard on your way to work depicting a Victoria’s Secret model in the latest push up bra, to the pop ups viewed on one’s internet browser with beautiful models advertising luxury vacation destinations, to the nightly news featuring a segment of the newest fitness craze, it is clear that these forms of media cannot be avoided and play a critical role in

Social media has consumed our society. 47% of American adults used social networking sites in 2011 like Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter; up from 26% in 2008(quoted from procon.org) the aspects of social media both have a positive and negative impact on life. Social networking sites promote interaction with distant family and friends. Social networking sites can demonstrate opportunities to strengthen existing relationships and to develop new friendships as well. The downfall of social media sites prevent less face to face communication. Also, social media has been known to be more likely to spread false, and even potentially dangerous information. Questions come about quite often about social networking sites, and if they are good for our society. As a member of our society social networking can have a positive influence in school, relationships, promoting business, and self-expression. While others may view social media as a negative influence, for me, the issue hinges on how social networking sites are being used and displayed accordingly.

While there are risks in online social networking, there are also many potential benefits. Many people are passionate to participate on ‘social networks’ in order to express their ideas, on social media site such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and MSN (Windows Live Messenger). People think that it is a good idea to have a social networking site, because you can stay in touch with your dear ones. There are many social networking sites that are used for different reasons, where people can communicate with their family and friends or worldwide “Kids can gain confidence from interacting with other people online by sharing updates, photos, videos and messages”. [1) Parent Further]. Family members can stay connected even if they are not living together. In addition, it’s good to encourage positive relationships through various ways including internet.