Effects of Social Networking Sites on Young Adults - Literature review Example

Literature Review Effects of Social Networking Sites on Young Adults Social networking sites have become very popular among young adult individuals within last few years. Daily routines, behavior and social development of adolescents have altered due to deep impact of some common social networking websites. Finkelhor, Mitchell and Wolak (2002) examine that today youngsters are wildly connected with internet world and their daily routine depend on the time they spend on internet. Authors have found that more than ninety percent young individuals have account on Facebook and number of Facebook users is increasing day by day (Finkelhor, Mitchell and Wolak 2002). Along with the popularity of Facebook and other social networking websites such as twitter and orkut concerns of psychologist have also grown to understand the relationship between social networking sites and young individuals. Finkellor, Mitchell and Walock (2002) have analyzed the close relationship between young individuals and social websites and the type of relationships, which are formed among internet users. The scholars have used samples of more than thousand young individuals to receive their parents` comments over their children`s relationships with online social networking websites (Finkelhor, Mitchell and Wolak 2002). Researchers have explored that young adults are fond of making online friends while some other get involved in romantic relationships. Additionally, fifty percent young individuals connect themselves with internet world daily and usually interact with those whom they had never met in real and close internet friendship has compelled them to meet with each other someday (Finkelhor, Mitchell and Wolak 2002). This study pinpoints that internet friendships are mostly short-lived, fake and shallow. A study by Greenfield and Subrahmanyan (2008) explores that there is a vast literature available on e-sources about internet world and effects of social networking websites on young adults. In this study, the researchers have found that online interaction among young individuals is increasing and it alters their relationships with strangers, friends and relatives. The study explained that students and young professionals intend to use social networking websites to interact with offline peers (Greenfield 2008). Whereas, young school and college girls tend to consolidate their relationships with their existing friends and boys seem more interested in making new friends or flirting with girls. This study also reports that 48% young adults think that online social networking has helped them maintain and improve their romantic relationships (Greenfield 2008). It is noteworthy that young individuals take their relationships very seriously and being young they are emotional about their friends and partners. Thus, they try to do anything, which could help maintain their relationships. In this way, their minds are diverted from academic and professional activities as they spend most of their time on internet (Regan 2010). In a study by Greenfield and Subrahmanyan (2008), it is also highlighted that online relationships with strangers involve risk especially for girls because mostly boys intend to make fun out of girl`s feelings and true emotions. In addition, this study focused on the fact that the time young adults spend on social networking websites and their tendency of getting emotional over online relationships create a negative impact on their bonds with their family members (Greenfield 2008). A gap mostly formed due to irresponsible behavior of teens because they are deeply connected with internet world and they do not want to sacrifice their enjoyment for the sake of their family members (Regan 2010). Another study conducted by Kramer and Winter (2008) discusses the influence of social networking websites on self-worth, extraversion, self-respect, and cognition. Initially the study explored that presentation of oneself on social networking websites is mostly different from reality. Samples for this study were taken from young college students who were the members of studiVZ famous social networking site among German teens (Kramer 2008). These students were interviewed regarding their extravagant qualities and potential of presenting themselves on internet especially in front of strangers. Fifty percent young adults admitted that they use photo-shopped or edited pictures to make their profile display attractive and they usually set false status updates and most prominently a great number of young users lie about their age, location, sex and other qualities in order to impress the other person or just for the sake of fun (Kramer 2008). The authors of the study further discusses that extraverted young adults are more possessive about their self-presentation on social communities because they are interested in making new friends for which they try to put more creative statuses, profile pictures, albums and videos to attract other peers towards them (Kramer 2008). Keen interest in friendship with strangers keeps them engaged in different activities related to social networking world and consume most of their time and energy (Moss 2010). Consequently, these keen users neglect other important activities of their lives, which adversely affect various aspects of their daily routine. Fovet (2009) reports social, emotional and behavioral difficulties among young adults due to adverse effect of Facebook. The authors have analyzed that almost all university and college students have account on Facebook, which adversely impact their behavior with other peers, teachers and academic activities. It has observed that personality which is developed via online sources is much different from the image of socialized individuals of the real world (Fovet 2009). However, when impact of Facebook are considered in terms of educational context it is believed use of Facebook and friendship with teachers and other classmates on social network helps them develop a stronger bond, which brings out positive results (Bryant and Olive 2009). But, it has noticed that sometimes relationships and friendships turn into rivalry because of one negative remark or comment on Facebook (Fovet 2009). On other hand, it has been seen that despite some negative consequences no change has ever been observed in use of Facebook accounts. In wider-sense it is considered that Facebook aware teachers and young students about effective use of technology and it has become an important forum for exchanging creative thoughts (Wittkower 2010). Finally, the study identifies that social networking websites give chance to teens to recognize their abilities which they could represent in front of others and despite negative effect on social and emotional behavior (Fovet 2009). It is also important to highlight that sometimes online networking increases power of self-decision among youngsters and give them chance to learn from their own mistakes. Another study conducted by the professionals of the Melbourne University 2010 examined that game addiction on online social networks is another important aspect of consideration. The study reports that the current popularity of Facebook games has altered the manner young individuals used to play online games in past (Cs.Mu 2010). Mini games have become very famous among children and young adults, which directly influence their cognitive development. The way, these games have been designed contribute to lead its player towards undesirable social influences and result in various other negative consequences. The study highlights that Facebook games increases internet addiction among young teens and these games caused negative moral impact (Cs.Mu 2010). Additionally, Facebook game addiction creates a gap between users and their family members and it also reduces productivity of young people. Game addicts face psychological disturbance because most of the games are based on fights and violent approaches (Eck 2010). Also, there many Facebook games which include gambling and cheating. The researchers have reported that such games compel young individuals to get involved in real life gambling activities. In addition, Facebook game addiction distracts students from their education, whereas young professionals lack productivity in their office work because they stay in touch with Facebook games during working hours (Schrier and Gibson 2010). This study focused on the fact that Facebook game addiction is even worse than social interaction via online networking because games increases more internet addiction as compare to online communication with peers. According to Sheldon 2008 there has been a controversial debate over the nature of social network users. There are two believes in this regard first is that social networks are mostly used by those who are already in deep social connections (Sheldon 2008). Whereas, other group believe that young adults use social networking websites because they consider that they do not have social skills and these sites will help them acquire beneficial social abilities. Sheldon 2008 further highlighted that teen age is a crucial period for social development, which requires moral support and young adults believe that peers are their best supporters. These perceptions lead them towards social networking and online friendships (Sheldon 2008). At this stage, young adults rarely understand that their parents and elders are more possessive about them and they can guide them in most suitable manner. In this study, 172 samples were taken from college and university students to investigate reason behind their passion for Facebook accounts. Outcomes of the study showed that mostly young individuals maintain their online friendships via Facebook because they want to consolidate their existing relationships with old school friends and their class mates in college, universities and neighborhood friends (Sheldon 2008). Additionally, Sheldon 2008 found that a great number of youngsters use Facebook as their favorite time pass activity; while some other teens admitted that they feel anxious and shy during face-to face communication. Thus, they prefer interaction through online social websites to strengthen their friendship circle (Sheldon 2008). According to this study, Facebook users believe that social networking websites are advantageous for teens, which motivates youngsters to behave in sensible and positive manner in order to maintain good relations in social networking world. List of References Bryant, J. and Olive, M., 2009. Media Effects: Advances in Theory and Research. Oxon: Taylor and Francis. Cs.Mu, 2010. Facebook Games by Design have a Negative Social Impact. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 16 April 2012]. Eck, R., 2010. Gaming and Cognition: Theories and Practice from the Learning Sciences. Hershey: IGI Global. Finkelhor, D., Mitchell, Kimberly J., and.Wolak, J., 2002. Close Online Relationships in a National Same of Adolescents. Adolescence., (37), pp.441-55. Fovet, F., 2009. Impact of the use of Facebook amongst students of high school age with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (SEBD). 39th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, pp.18-21. Greenfield, P.and.S.K., 2008. Online Communication and Adolescent. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 16 April 2012]. Kramer, N.C.and.W.S., 2008. Impression Management 2.0 The Relationship of Self‐Esteem, Extraversion, Self‐Efficacy, and Self‐Presentation Within Social Networking Sites. Journal of Media Psychology, 20(3), pp.106-16. Moss, S., 2010. The Entertainment Industry: An Introduction. Cambridge: CABI. Regan, P.and.S.V., 2010. Kids R Us: Online Social Networking and the Potential for Empowerment. Surveillance and Society, 8(2), p.151‐165. Schrier, K. and Gibson, D., 2010. Designing Games for Ethics: Models, Techniques and Frameworks. Hershey: Idea Group Inc. Sheldon, P., 2008. The Relationship Between Unwilingness‐to‐Communicate and Students’ Facebook Use. Journal of Media Psycholog, pp.67-75. Wittkower, D., 2010. Facebook and Philosophy: Whats on Your Mind? Chicago: Open Court Publishing. Read More