Obsessed WIth Social Media ?

The other day I stumbled across an old newspaper article.

This article contained the statement 'Young people today have become obsessed with social networking sites which are a bad influence and can take over their lives These sites should be banned.'

And yet, while I agree that some young people have become 'obsessed' but I think it's wrong to stereotype all young people in this way. As a teenage girl I can safely say that not all young people rely on social media to live their lives. Like sure, a lot of my life is spent online but I don't think it controls my life or that I'm influenced by it, at least not in a bad way.

Social networking sites are only a 'bad influence' when used incorrectly.

This is something many people fail to realise.

Simply talking to a friend over the internet is not causing any harm to anyone.

In fact, the internet is a great place to keep in touch with old friends who have moved away or even meet new friends. I actually met one of my best friends thanks to Tumblr (there will be more of her at a later date).

Yes sometimes the bad things on the internet can have extreme impacts on young peoples lives but this is not so much the social media sites but the people who are using them. The fact that some people take advantage of talking to people on the internet by sending hurtful and abusive messages disgusts me. I don't understand what would make someone think it is acceptable to send people those messages.

There is nothing wrong with social media, it's just the new form of communication, much like putting pen to paper used to be common trend.

I also think it is unfair that media sources such as Newspapers are often so quick to stereotype and assume things that are untrue.

The point I'm trying to make is that I think social networking sites have been given a bad name by the media which gives a false impression to the other generations. Due to the bad name given by televised media, more people have started to look at the few negative aspects of social networking sites instead of the positive aspects they have.

If it weren't for the internet and social media I wouldn't be writing this blog and I wouldn't be half as confident as I am now. The internet helps people grow stronger and by banning these websites people have the ability to loose any confidence they may have and may struggle to connect with old friends or express their views in the way I am doing.

Until next time, remember to keep holing onto the moments.

Girl Behind The Screen xx