The Impact of Social Media on Families: 72% of Smartphone Holders Connect Online

Introduction

The age of technology does not develop without its conveniences and sparks. The less talked impact about technology is gaining some limelight because both children and parents have multiple social media accounts (Galimberti, 2019). Social media and the internet engage all family members to the outside world through technology. More than 72% of smartphone holders use social media to build relationships, share photos or make new friends (Galimberti, 2019). The use of social media to connect with people can have drawbacks and benefits in relationships that are either romantic or platonic. This is because social media connect people in ways that sounded impossible by expanding their social circles.

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Access to the internet has facilitated people's connection, especially because many people have tablets and smartphones that make this bonding convenient. Many people also form various types of relationships in their lives. However, family bonding seems to be long-lasting as compared to online dating. In the 21st century, family bonding is becoming rear because of technology (Galimberti, 2019). Most of them have given social media the priority by sending updates, pictures memes and statuses to show them that they are keeping well. In this slow but steady slide, many people have now distanced themselves from people close to them.

Advantages of Social Media in Relationships

Even though many people demonize social media as an evil tool that has modernized everything, most statements are unfair (Sinanan, 2016). The reason behind this statement is that social media has assisted many relationships in positive ways.

• Premise 1: Many studies have shown that the use of social media reduces physical distance, mainly if people are in a long-distance relationship (Sinanan, 2016). Most couples can communicate through social media even though distance separates them.
• Premise 2: Many researchers claim that social media creates a better understanding through media profiles to show a person's personality (Sinanan, 2016). When the partners comment about the pattern, it shows how the two have a good relationship because friends contribute to their relationship.
• Premise 3: Social media enables lovers to stay in touch with each other even if they have a family. Most of the time, the parent outside the house can interact with the children through videos (Sinanan, 2016). Both couples are also able to follow what is happening to each other by offering support, guidance and reaching out of them.
• Premise 4: Social media enables families to relieve the family moments through check-ins, tags, videos and pictures that show up each year as anniversary events. The memories also help keep the familial and nostalgia love going strong.
• Premise 5: Social media has made it possible for children who live with one parent to bond with the other parent (Sinanan, 2016). Since both parents are not in good terms, they do not need physical contact since they can bond through the phone.
• Conclusion: It is clear that social media covers all aspects of a family. It begins with a young couple, long-distance relationships and divorced families.

Evaluation of the Quality of the Articles That Support Social Media

The argument is compelling because it addresses social media's primary concerns and how it is useful. The study also elaborates more on the stability of relationships when young couples begin communicating the minute they notice a gap between them. However, the arguments do not show the partners' feelings even though they do not meet physically. A suitable example is that of children. As much as the children are talking to their parents, they never get affection, such as hugs to make them feel loved.

Disadvantages of Social Media and Relationships

Even though social media portray various positive aspects, it also has a few adverse effects that overshadow the good.

• Premise 1: A study done by Chambers (2013) showed that social media is addictive and phenomenon, particularly to children. Most of them get problems in communication, especially when they meet with the person in real life.
• Premise 2: Social media does not highlight the person's real-life because most of them hide behind the scenes. As a result, it causes discontent, negative emotions, jealousy and dissatisfaction
• Premise 3: The same study has proved that social media creates infidelity. Many people use this as a safe channel to cheat because most of them cannot catch them (Chambers, 2013). This character is because most people are usually on their phones, which does not affect their physical change.
• Premise 4: Usually, it is difficult to forget the blurred line between the real worlds and social media (Chambers, 2013). For instance, adolescents struggle to prioritize what to do, and this leads to mental issues such as depression or anxiety.
• Conclusion: The debate shows that as much as there are positive effects of using social media, the adverse effects also rise because of social media dependence.

Evaluation of Articles Despising Social Media

While social media portrays adverse effects on relationships, the articles have not given enough evidence to elaborate on the degree of damage. For instance, one study has stated that social media raises the level of infidelity but has not shown how because people have to meet face to face for sexual intercourses. While the study shows that most people are always on the phone, there is no evidence that they are looking for other partners while still engaged in other relationships. The statement on the change in communication in children is true, but no evidence shows that they cannot speak to people in real life. This statement is that the enablement of videos can facilitate the children even to communicate more and efficiently. While it is hard to know someone's feelings through the media, communication can be useful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is tough to quantify the negative and positive impacts of social media, particularly on relationships. In the past, it was elementary to meet people and talk at length, but the internet has complicated matters because it is available every time. The debate also consists of many studies that argue on the impact of social media. Even though most of them are experiential, various reasons can also be elaborated to show how relationships are affected. The debate also shows that the positive and negative impacts of social media on relationships align with each other. For instance, children who can communicate with their parents through social media become weak communicators in real life. Another example is that of infidelity. Even though couples talk through social media platforms, they also have a higher chance of cheating on their partners because of the lack of intimacy.

References

Chambers, D. (2013). Social media and teenage friendships. Social Media and Personal Relationships, 82-101. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137314444_5

Galimberti, U. (2019). Man in the age of technology. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 54(1), 3-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5922.2008.01753.x

Sinanan, J. (2016). Social media and sorting out family relationships. Emotions, Technology, and Social Media, 63-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-801857-6.00004-x