The negative effects of social networking

We are all well aware of the social networking boom which has taken over the world. They say excess of everything is bad which is what we want to point out here. We have nothing against facebook, myspace or bebo however our point is that we should consider the excessive use of social networking websites, of-course there is always a way to use such sites in a healthy productive manner. Parents should especially pay attention to how their children are spending time on the internet. They should themselves be aware in order to guide their children much better and towards a better and healthy future.

The negative effects of a new technology are never fully visible in the initial stages due the hype and excitement involved. However with time we observe the more time we spend online the more connected we get hence the urge to not miss out on anything this induces an invisible layer of  stress and pressure on the individuals. The very fabric of our societies are now beginning to take a new shape.

Oprah.com website mentions,

“It can be exhilarating, at least at first, to connect with long-lost friends,” says network science expert Steven Strogatz, PhD, a professor of applied mathematics at Cornell University. But the downside, he worries, is growing confusion between our weak ties (people who might be useful in referring us to a good dentist or helping us find a job) and our strong ties (those we’re very close to). “The distinction between genuine friends and acquaintances is becoming blurred. Users are spending time maintaining relationships with people they don’t really care about.” …

…”It takes a certain amount of time to fully experience complex social emotions,” says the lead author, cognitive neuroscientist Mary Helen Immordino-Yang. Heavy reliance on the rapid intake of certain information—especially in younger, developing minds—could have consequences on our morality. It could also be “a whole new source of unhappiness,” says Strogatz. “On Twitter the conversation never stops. You start to feel that if you’re not involved in it, you’re missing out.”

It’s enough to make you long for the good old days of connecting over a cup of coffee.

The concept of a personal private life is also at stake now. Even if people are not using these social networking websites there pictures might be on them without their knowledge, friends and relatives take pictures of each other and post them online in their albums on these websites.Which is indeed disturbing news.

A very comprehensive article ‘Social websites harm children’s brains: Chilling warning to parents from top neuroscientist‘ was published on the daily mail website By DAVID DERBYSHIRE

We would like to mention a few excerpts of the article here.

“Social networking websites are causing alarming changes in the brains of young users, an eminent scientist has warned. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Bebo are said to shorten attention spans, encourage instant gratification and make young people more self-centered…

…parents and teachers who complain that many youngsters lack the ability to communicate or concentrate away from their screens. More than 150million use Facebook to keep in touch with friends, share photographs and videos and post regular updates of their movements and thoughts. A further six million have signed up to Twitter, the ‘micro-blogging’ service that lets users circulate text messages about themselves. But while the sites are popular – and extremely profitable – a growing number of psychologists and neuroscientists believe they may be doing more harm than good. Baroness Greenfield, an Oxford University neuroscientist and director of the Royal Institution, believes repeated exposure could effectively ‘rewire’ the brain.

… Computer games and fast-paced TV shows were also a factor, she said. ’We know how small babies need constant reassurance that they exist,’ she told the Mail yesterday. ’My fear is that these technologies are infantilising the brain into the state of small children who are attracted by buzzing noises and bright lights, who have a small attention span and who live for the moment.’ Her comments echoed those she made during a House of Lords debate earlier this month. Then she argued that exposure to computer games, instant messaging, chat rooms and social networking sites could leave a generation with poor attention spans …”

It should be noted that everything has its positives and negatives. We should be aware of these harmful effects and use these websites accordingly. This would enable us to guide our children better and live a healthy productive life. We would not want to end up like the picture below.

Stay wise and live healthy.

 - Jazak’Allah Khair (“May Allâh reward you [in] goodness.”)