Shiheon Lee
St Johnsbury Academy Jeju
Abstract
This essay explains the two-faced aspect of social networking websites (SNS), which have become a part of life but also pose severe challenges. While Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) enable social and professional connections, they also result in mental and physical illnesses and serve as tools for criminal acts. Social media overuse has been linked with low self-esteem, addiction, and fear of missing out (FOMO), particularly in youths, resulting in increased depression and anxiety. Physiologically, SNS usage disturbs sleep, lowers physical exercise, and facilitates sedentary life, all increasing the potential for chronic illness. Furthermore, SNS websites facilitate cyberbullying, deepfake crimes, and data breaches of personal details, particularly among susceptible youth. While these sites have their uses, they have deviated from their initial purpose and now are present as threats that are very imminent. To prevent harm, users have to manage usage, guard individual data, and be mindful of SNS’s dangers. This paper identifies the necessity of reaching a balanced and ethical use of social media in the modern digital age.
