The Impact of Media

Article: http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/04/16/psychologist-social-media-causing-a-distancing-phenomena-to-take-place/
Picture: http://unteleported.com/assets/projects/menubis/teens-09449158b518ba269d8bb62a4fbcfebc.jpg
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-3RopS-RF4

Social media has benefited us today in so many ways. It has helped us to stay informed, connected, entertained, and much more. However, researchers have noticed that social media has also affected us mentally. Social media has caused a distancing phenomena to take place.
Over the coarse of years, media production has grown larger and larger. We can now roam around and still get access to social media through many devices; phones, laptops, tablets, etc. Because of this, we have become addicted to media and it's devices. According to a Pew Research study, 63% of Facebook users visit the site at least once a day with 40% doing so multiple times a day. Not only is their Facebook, but there is also Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter.
Through these accounts, we interact a lot with other users. So much so that when it comes to face-to-face conversations, we lack the good communication skills. As research psychologist Krystine Batcho states, “The greater fear of what’s perhaps taking place is that kids are not learning how to behave in a face-to-face conversation." We constantly talking to others online and creating relationships online that we lose all the important communication skills that we are supposed to have. "It has brought on anxiety and has made some people feel nervous or worried," says Batcho. When the time comes that we have to talk to others in person anxiety takes over and communication becomes rather difficult. Teens and young adults are more negatively affected by media. As it shows in the picture (link above), a group of young adults are all on their phones while sitting at a restaurant table instead of talking and bonding with each other.
Although social media has its perks, there are downsides to it. Not only do you get addicted, but you lose important communication skills. Later, it becomes hard to effectively interact with others face-to-face. Social media has created a distancing phenomena in this generation.