A 2011 Pew Internet Report

1. The pros and cons of social media is a sociologically significant issue.

Social media is everywhere. Social networking sites let users create profiles, talk about their interests and backgrounds, post their thoughts about things, and share things like news, pictures, music, and Internet links (Social Networking ProCon, 2015). A 2011 Pew Internet Report found 80% of teens use social media, and 93% of them have a Facebook account (“Facebook and “Kids: Social Support or Dangerous Distraction?,” 2012). Adults are big users too since the number of American adults using online social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn went from 26% in 2008 to 74% in 2014 (Social Networking ProCon, 2015). Some good things to mention

In another study, researchers said the way teens try to manage privacy risk online is very different than the way adults think about managing privacy. Most adults are more careful and think first, then ask questions to protect their privacy online; however teens usually take risks ask for help later, which can be very dangerous (“Teens’ Approach to Social Media Risk is Different From Adults,” 2015). In a third study, research shows that there are negative effects to people who are exposed to violence, suffering, and graphic images such as the Twin Towers, school shootings, etc., that are so easy to find on social media. This study indicated that 22 per cent of participants in the study were significantly affected by the media events, scoring high on clinical measures of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) even though they had only watched videos on social media. The risk was even higher for people who have outgoing, extroverted personalities. (“Viewing Violent News on Social Media Can Cause Trauma,” 2015). Because social media is so easy to get to with cell phones, laptops, and PCs, young users are able to communicate with a huge network of friends they know

Looking at this issue from the symbolic interactionist perspective, symbolic the role of language and symbols are very important in all human interaction. The role of social media has been very important here. People used to write letters and make phone calls to communicate with friends and relatives and make new connections, and look for jobs. These ways of communicating were slower than social media but were also more personal and took some effort. Now it is very simple for a person to get on a social media site and have a conversation on line with one person or a whole group. This can be good and save time but at the same time makes it difficult to have a genuine personal relationship or conversation if other people can “spy” or join in, even if not invited. The amount of decreased face-to-face time spent with family in American homes increased from 8% in 2000 to 34% in 2011 while 32% of those surveyed reported the time they spent on social media increased from 8% in 2000 to 34% in 2011. Almost one-third of Americans said they use social media or text during meals, (up to 47% of 18-34 year olds surveyed), rather than talking with friends and family (Social Networking ProCon, 2015). A whole new language of slang and abbreviation has been designed to use on social media such as “lol” (“laughing out loud”). Sometimes people get too casual and might even say things they do not mean by mistake. Some people have a hard time understanding what this new language means and