Social media can be addicting and therefore dangerous.

When People
think of addiction they usually think of substances, but uncontrollable habits
are also addictions. Technology dependency is a newer addiction
characterized by extreme internet usage. Social media addiction is a type of
internet addiction. Those with a social media addiction or spend a lot of time
on social media have a strong craving to be alerted instantly (Sahin, 2018). https://tinyurl.com/ybkoouw6
The advancement of the internet has a detrimental effect on adolescents lives at a time that is
critical for physical, cognitive and social-emotional development. Internet addiction is lack of control
over internet usage, nervousness without the internet,
aggressive behaviors, seclusion from work, family and
social life. A study was conducted that examined 335
high-school students using a 20-item questionnaire
investigating Internet Addiction. The results showed
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that the more the students used the internet the higher
the internet addiction. Students who use the internet primarily for social media and games were at a
higher risk for addition (Ayaz & Karatas, 2016).
The majority of the world uses the internet in daily life in fact, mental health has classified a new
disorder of internet addiction. Adolescents are more susceptible
because they lack the self-control skills and/or self-regulation that
adults usually show. There is a significant positive correlation
between levels of depression and internet addiction. Internet
addiction is considered a mental disorder and can be found in all age
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groups but is more prevalent in adolescents. Individuals may also
have anxiety, stress, and depression (Bhardwaj, 2018). The frequently used sites are Facebook,
Instagram, and Snapchat. These teens are checking their phones frequently,
such as almost 30% check their phone and social media when they wake up in
the middle of the night and over 30% check when they first wake up (Rothchild,
2018). Social media is a 21st-century tool that can be dangerous if not used
properly. As an educator, parent or caregiver it is our responsibility to help
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prevent the harm that students and children are too young to understand and
acknowledge.
 References:
Ayaz, F., M. & Karatas, K. (2016). Examining the level of internet addiction of adolescents in
terms of various variables. World Journal on Educational Technology: Current Issues. 8(3), 238-
244. Retrieved May 21, 2018, from
http://web.a.ebscohost.com.sagecolleges.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=2&sid=9ff9b6ed-
199e-4a8b-999e-
97fea16df4f1%40sessionmgr4010&bdata=JnNjb3BlPXNpdGU%3d#AN=EJ1142241&db=eric
Bhardwaj, V. K. (2018). Level of depression in relation to internet addiction in adolescents of
Udhampur: Comparative study. Indian Journal of Health and Well-being,9(2), 220-226.
Retrieved May 21, 2018, from https://search-proquest-
com.sagecolleges.idm.oclc.org/central/docview/2018610425/fulltextPDF/AEE2D289DA2F4119
PQ/1?accountid=13645
Rothchild, N. (2018). Is Troublesome Facebook Use A Behavioral Addiction? American Journal
of Medical Research, 5(1), 73-78. doi:10.22381/ajmr5120186
Sahin, C. (2018). Social Media Addiction Scale - Student Form: The Reliability and Validity
Study. The Turkish Online Journal of Education Technology,17(1), 169-182. Retrieved May 21,
2018, from https://search-proquest-
com.sagecolleges.idm.oclc.org/central/docview/2025352171/16FB36DC753B4901PQ/1?account
id=13645.