Is Social Media Polluting our Social Ecosystems?

When I hear "ecosystem", I tend to think about abiotic and biotic interactions such as nutrient cycles or transfers of energy. After today's lesson on Bronfenbrenner's theory, I was reminded that we also exist within a social ecosystem, made up of our relationships, interactions, and physical contexts. This got me thinking about the role of social media in today's world, and how it can act as a pollutant to our social ecosystems, influencing how we interact, form relationships, and view the world. Since our social ecosystems play a role in our social development, any disruption can have lasting developmental impacts, especially on children and adolescence.

Nowadays, the majority of students grow up surrounded by technology and social media. This has become not just a source of entertainment but it is now one of the most common ways to communicate and connect with one another. However, the constant online activity can affect student development by impacting current relationships, and inhibiting the making of new ones. Forming and maintaining meaningful relationships is essential for healthy social and emotional development so that they can learn skills like empathy and communication. Social media also amplifies peer cultures, where children and adolescence are becoming more aware about appearance, popularity, and conformity due to likes, shares, and follows. Yet, these peer relationships play a huge role in personal and social development because it provides companionship, support, and a sense of belonging. When children feel rejection from peers, which can happen through social media, they will also be less willing to participate in academic activities. 

In addition to affecting social relationships, social media has also been linked to a rise in mental health issues in teens and young adults. Mental health plays a big role in social development, specifically in confidence, identity, and engagement with others. However, being constantly online exposes people to idealized versions of other peoples lives. This often leads to idolizing unrealistic standards and creates pressure to look or act a certain way in order to be liked or noticed by others. This constant comparison gives feelings of low self worth or low confidence and as a result we are seeing an increase in issues such as body image concerns, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. This can disrupt the developmental stages of finding your identity, and emotional growth. Social media has now entered our microsystems and is directly influencing how people view themselves and interact with others. When mental health is negatively impacted, it can affect all areas of development, including academic performance and social participation. 

 

Just as we try and protect our natural ecosystems from pollution, we must also focus on protecting our social ecosystems from the negative effects of the digital world.

Courtesy of AinsleyC@OTU