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[Last Name] 1 Francesca Payne Dr. Morris English 1021 November 16, 2022 Can Social Media be Used to Supplement Face to Face Interactions? Social Media in recent years has become a much more prevalent issue for teens and children interacting with it. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many were dependent on it as their only interaction with peers. Whether via Facebook, Snapchat, Discord, or Instagram, most if not all young adults, teens, and children used or are still using some form of social media to interact. However, as the pandemic persisted “70% of respondents reported their social media use increased...During the second wave in 2021, 89% of respondents said their social media usage had increased or stayed the same from the first wave” (Aldrich). We became dependent on social media, to fulfill a human need for interaction. But some sources argue that this sort of supplement is not leading us on a healthy path, especially for those under the age of 20. Socialization is key to human development of the mind and body. One source states, “socially isolated children exhibited lower scores of intelligence quotient (IQ), compared to non- isolated children of the same age” (Almeida). These lower IQs are due to social learning that benefits verbal comprehension, social-emotional awareness, and friendliness toward peers. Many children that are isolated later struggle with anxiety, depression, addiction problems, and learning hardships. This sort of impact can change the outcome of an individual's life, especially at such a young age. Therefore, during the COVID-19 Pandemic parents and teens looked for ways to socialize, that way happened to be social media. However, live interaction and online socialization are two very different actions. The first of the two, live interaction, or in-person

[Last Name] 2 socialization, is essential to an individual's mental and physical well-being. Face-to-face interactions promote an understanding of nonverbal cues, help prevent misunderstandings, and convey a clear tone. Online interactions, however, greatly increase the speed of information flow, allows for a more flexible schedule, and facilitates a larger social network. Yet is it possible to supplement online interactions with face-to-face ones, especially in developing children and young adults? One survey conducted found that psychological help sites such as BetterHelp leave participants feeling unsatisfied, however, chatting with friends on websites such as Facebook and Instagram left participants feeling more contented. Yet, using these websites also was correlated with life dissatisfaction and the desire to have face-to-face interaction. Additionally, face-to-face interaction was shown to leave participants “significantly happier, less tense, and less angry” (Snow). While online interactions are significantly different from offline, they still leave participants more contented than had they not spoken to anybody at all. However, for children and teens, a large fear is the threat of cyberbullying and online threats. One source stated, “Students who were cyber bullied reported feelings of sadness, anxiety, and fear...Youth who were bullied online were more likely to have skipped school, to have had detentions or suspensions, or to have carried a weapon to school” (Mishna 1223). In addition to feelings of anxiety from social isolation, anxiety is also increased in students who experience cyberbullying. Desire to be accepted by peers, or the ‘group’ is an instinct humans have. Humans are group- oriented animals, who thrive in a well-rounded community. By being online, students and children are putting themselves in a vulnerable state. Vulnerability also increases the feeling of anxiousness. Therefore, to be accepted they use social media more. Every positive interaction gives the poster dopamine, which creates a dependence cycle. If the user does not post they may

[Last Name] 3 feel they are missing out, however, if they do, they may feel anxious that others will not accept them based on what they post. Vulnerability also allows for easier manipulation of children and teens by online predators, which they might not have encountered otherwise. For safety, it is recommended by cybersecurity professionals and child therapists. Therefore, the only time that is logical for social media to be used as the only means of interaction is during a health crisis or a time when in-person socialization is improbable. This is because the overuse of social media leads to feelings of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and sedated behavior. While it cannot be used for primary interaction, it can be beneficial to expanding social networks and allowing for interaction across the world. Social media, especially for young people should be kept private and to a small extent, being used mainly for communication and not in place of in-person socialization and interaction.

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[Last Name] 4 Works Cited Miller, Daniel, et al. “Does Social Media Make People Happier?” How the World Changed Social Media , 1st ed., vol. 1, UCL Press, 2016, pp. 193–204. JSTOR , https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1g69z35.20 . Accessed 14 Nov. 2022. 24, June, and Anna Zarra Aldrich. “Finding Social Support through Social Media during COVID Lockdowns.” UConn Today , 23 June 2022, https://today.uconn.edu/2022/06/finding-social-support-through-social-media-during- covid-lockdowns/ #. Almeida ILL, Rego JF, Teixeira ACG, Moreira MR. Social isolation and its impact on child and adolescent development: a systematic review. Rev Paul Pediatr. 2021 Oct 4;40:e2020385. doi: 10.1590/1984-0462/2022/40/2020385. PMID: 34614137; PMCID: PMC8543788. Snow, Emily (2007). Intimacy and Face-to-Face versus Computer Interaction. Undergraduate Review, 3, 37-50.

Syth (2)

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