Effects of Social Media Use on Teenagers

◎供稿：Juno

社交媒体就在我们身边，无论我们多么试图忽视它，它已经渗透到我们的社会结构中。社交媒体是许多青少年生活的重要组成部分。但是，社交媒体的使用对青少年有什么影响呢？

Social media is a tool for gathering information

Social media has become a source of information and news for many teens.Once they begin social networking，they can follow just about anyone with a social media account.From authors and athletes to celebrities，chefs，nonprofit organizations，they are connected to all sorts of information.By staying on social media，teenagers know more about global happenings and issues affecting the world.

Social media reduces feelings of isolation

A study published in 2015 found that even though teens have fewer friends than teens did a decade ago，they still report feeling less lonely than their1)counterpart [ˈkaʊntəpɑːt] n.职位；对应的事物counterpartsand feeling less isolated.Researchers suggest that the difference is social media and technology.This research also suggests that teens are developing stronger social skills due to social media use.Through social media，teens learn the other methods of online communication，this makes them better communicators in an increasingly digital world.

Social media allows for personal expression

Whether teens enjoy singing，writing，or acting，they can share these talents with the world around them.Providing this avenue of selfexpression is important for teens.There is a direct connection between self-expression and self-confidence.When teens are given avenues for being2)authentic [ɔːˈθentɪk] adj.真正的；真实的authenticand true to themselves，they become content with who they are and happier overall.

Social media use can also negatively affect teens

The act of3)scroll [skrəʊl] v.滚动；卷动scrollingthrough media can significantly impact the amount of physical activity or face-to-face conversation in which a teen engages.In addition，the teenagers are viewing on social media (e.g.，violence，4)cyberbully [ˈsaɪbərbʊli] n.网络暴力cyberbullying) and how it is5)internalize [ɪnˈtɜ:nəlaɪz] v.使内在化internalized(e.g.，treatment of others，self-worth) can be troublesome.Teenagers may experience negative interactions on social media，for example a post may not be“liked” enough，there may be a lapse in response times，or they may be involved in cyberbullying，these negative interactions can impact6)adolescent [ˌædəˈlesnt] adj.青少年期的adolescentmental health.Sometimes loss of sleep，feelings of hopelessness，and negative thoughts are some of the negative outcomes associated with youth social media use.

Social media and its use by teenagers is a double-edged sword.While it offers many benefits，one cannot deny its many frailties too.

社交媒体是收集信息的工具

社交媒体已成为许多青少年收集信息和新闻的来源。一旦他们开始社交网络，他们就可以关注任何一个拥有社交媒体账号的人。从作家、运动员到名人、厨师、非营利性组织，他们与各种信息相关联。通过关注社交媒体，青少年可以更多地了解影响世界的全球事件和问题。

社交媒体减少孤立感

2015年发表的一项研究发现，尽管青少年的朋友比十年前的青少年的朋友少，但他们的孤独感比同龄人少，他们也不觉得自己被孤立。研究人员认为，不同之处在于社交媒体和技术。这项研究还表明，由于社交媒体的使用，青少年正在发展更强的社交技能。通过社交媒体，青少年学习其他在线交流方法，这使他们在日益数字化的世界中成为更好的沟通者。

社交媒体允许个人表达

无论青少年喜欢唱歌、写作还是表演，他们都可以与周围的世界分享这些才能。提供这种自我表达的途径对青少年来说很重要，自我表达和自信之间存在直接联系。当青少年被给予做真实的自己和展示自己的途径时，他们会对自己满意，并且总体上更快乐。

社交媒体的使用也会对青少年产生负面影响

长时间浏览媒体的行为会显著减少青少年参与体育活动或进行面对面交流的次数。此外，青少年在社交媒体上观看的内容（如暴力、网络欺凌等）及其内化方式（如对待他人、自我价值）可能会导致麻烦。青少年可能会在社交媒体上经历负面互动，例如，一个帖子可能不够多“赞”，消息回复延迟，或者可能卷入网络欺凌，这些负面的互动会影响青少年的心理健康。青少年使用社交媒体有时也会导致失眠、产生绝望感和消极的想法。

社交媒体的使用对青少年是一把双刃剑，虽然它提供了许多好处，但人们也不能否认它的许多不利之处。