Johnny Phillips
English 101
December 5, 2016
Argumentative Essay
Social Media’s Impact On Society
When writing a “tweet,” users receive a 140-character limit; that means they can use 140 letters and punctuation marks to write what they want. The content that is posted on these profile has nothing to do with this character limit. Most social media users say that 140 characters are not enough; however, that number is enough to cause inconceivable addiction, teach improper grammar, and spread incorrect information.
Heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine- these are the types of drugs that society expects citizens to be accustomed to; however, most social media users fail to realize that their favorite website could be just as addictive. Larry D. Rosen, professor and former chair of the psychology department at California State University, strongly believes that social media has become an issue of addiction:
Internet and social media addiction can be a serious problem. The need to continually play games, use a smartphone,
or use social media can lead to sleep deprivation and can damage real-life relationships with coworkers, friends, or family.
Research suggests that Internet addiction may be linked to changes in brain chemistry associated with the rewards of
Internet use. However, addiction is also likely linked to social and psychological rewards associated with Internet and social
media use. (qtd. in Rosen et al. par. 1)
Meanwhile, an argument often used for social media is that it has become one of the most influential habits of everyday life, allowing users to communicate with others that live around the world. Expert, Dr. James Ajari, of the Medical Health Center, Federal Polytechnic, in Bida, Nigeria, shares that social media may allow a different means of communication, but he also states, “Being addicted to social media might not give one room to even think about his or her studies and this can affect such person's sense of reasoning and well being” (qtd. in Rukayat par. 4). This quote from Ajari shares knowledge on how these websites may give communication but they also rip communicating out of everyday life.
Another critical aspect of social media is that it could severely danger a child’s writing ability. In today’s world, children have become used to keyboards and smartphones. These children grow to be more likely to do a bulk of their writing on social media. Ruth Campbell, journalist whose focus is writing about all things education for the Southeast Missourian, shares in an article, “They become used to leaving out punctuation and using abbreviations. Because of this, they can have trouble switching to more formal English in order to write papers or reports or other assignments” (Campbell par. 1). An argument against this claim is that social media allows students to discuss topics and reveal emotions that the child wouldn’t normally discuss. However, if the argument is that social media allows the students to open up, how are these children supposed to express themselves with inaccurate grammar and punctuation? Parents and teachers can not expect those students to excel in expressing themselves.
Information that is posted online can spread rapidly; however, the information that soars through the web isn’t necessarily always accurate. In a study conducted by researchers at Stanford's Graduate School of Education, it is shared that students can’t tell fact from fiction: “More than 80 percent of middle schoolers believed that 'sponsored content' was a real news story” (Domonoske par. 9). This quote shares that most middle schoolers that use the internet believe that what they read is fact. This inaccurate spread of information is detrimental to society. An argument against this is that the information is, more often than not, accurate; supporters also believe that the wild spread of information is helpful. This claim, however, is false. According to Mary Madden, researcher and public speaker, one in four teens share that they post fake information online (Madden et al. par 22). This excerpt helps to prove that a significant amount of information posted online could be libel.
Social media has disastrous effects on today’s society due to these sites causing addiction, grammar errors, and spreading unreliable information. These websites are not good for the users that are in charge of the accounts. Once a subject creates an account and begins writing their first post, that 140-character limit creates a maelstrom of chaos.
Works Cited
Campbell, Ruth. “OMG: Social Media May Wreck Your Kid's Writing.” Southeast Missourian, Edited by Noah Berlatsky, 2013, Opposing Viewpoints in Context,
Domonoske, Camila. “Students Have 'Dismaying' Inability To Tell Fake News From Real, Study Finds.” NPR, NPR, 23 Nov. 2016,
“Expert Warns Students On Danger of Social Media.” Africa News Service, 2015, Opposing Viewpoints in Context,
Madden, Mary et al. “Teens, Social Media, and Privacy.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science &Amp; Tech, 21 May 2013,
Rosen, Larry D. et al. “Social Networking Is Addictive and Can Lead to Psychological Disorders.” IDisorder: Understanding Our Obsession with
Technology and Overcoming Its Hold on Us, Edited by Noah Berlatsky, New York, NY, Palgrave Macmillan, 2011, Opposing Viewpoints in
Context,
Simmons, Andrew. “Social Media Helps Students Write Better.” Atlantic, Edited by Noah Berlatsky, 2013, Opposing Viewpoints in Context,
Campbell, Ruth. “OMG: Social Media May Wreck Your Kid's Writing.” Southeast Missourian, Edited by Noah Berlatsky, 2013, Opposing Viewpoints in Context,
Domonoske, Camila. “Students Have 'Dismaying' Inability To Tell Fake News From Real, Study Finds.” NPR, NPR, 23 Nov. 2016,
“Expert Warns Students On Danger of Social Media.” Africa News Service, 2015, Opposing Viewpoints in Context,
Madden, Mary et al. “Teens, Social Media, and Privacy.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science &Amp; Tech, 21 May 2013,
Rosen, Larry D. et al. “Social Networking Is Addictive and Can Lead to Psychological Disorders.” IDisorder: Understanding Our Obsession with
Technology and Overcoming Its Hold on Us, Edited by Noah Berlatsky, New York, NY, Palgrave Macmillan, 2011, Opposing Viewpoints in
Context,
Simmons, Andrew. “Social Media Helps Students Write Better.” Atlantic, Edited by Noah Berlatsky, 2013, Opposing Viewpoints in Context,