Social Media's Negative Impact On American Culture

With today’s technological advances communication is easier than ever before. Although, text and multimedia messaging have allowed people to communicate anywhere, anytime, with the induction of social media, communication has gone even farther. In fact, social media’s popularity has had such a significant growth “that almost everywhere in the world, it is not unusual to see people facing down towards mobile devices to check social media while walking and doing or doing any activities” (Sriwilai & Charoensukmongkol, 2015, p. 427). However, this rise in virtual communication has slowly diminished the importance of intimacy and the need and/or desire to interact in person. Furthermore, it has created more opportunities for the malevolent. Essentially,

For instance, friends and family are not only able to reconnect, but making new connections is easier as well. Furthermore, live features on social media sites allow captured moments to be shared across the country instantaneously. Essentially, “social media sites such as Facebook has had a significant impact worldwide as it has altered the way in which people interact and/or socialize” (Sriwilai & Charoensukmongkol, 2015, p. 427). However, this has also had a significantly negative impact on family and/or relationships as the need and urgency to be in person is no longer. Moreover, “social media has become an escape, which has caused many to lose interest in personal relationships, ignoring any obligations to family and friends as social networking take precedence” (Panchal, 2014, p. 75). Therefore, while the virtual and seemingly instantaneous aspect of social media may seem advantageous in bonding and building relationships, for many it is the root of countless severed

Yet, while the ability to reconnect with long lost friends and family is priceless the intimacy factor is often lacking. Today, in most homes, waiting rooms, car rides, etc. instead of interacting with each other, most are logged in on phones or tablets, deeply engrossed in social media. In fact, “with most communication between family members transpiring via text the negative impact of social media on families is obvious” (Panchal, 2014, p. 76). However, the importance of in person interaction is mentioned in Scripture, “Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete” (2 John 1:12 ESV). Therefore, although social media is a great tool to connect with others, it cannot replace the closeness of communicating in