Technology and Social Media's Effects on Social Skills

Introduction

• Rapid growth of technology and social media use in everyday life, especially among younger generations.
• Social media's negative effects on social skills: impacts conversation skills, comprehension, and children's self-confidence.

Negative Impacts of Technology on Adolescents

• Technology generally viewed positively, but negative effects on adolescents largely unanticipated.
• Internet taking control of social lives, diminishing face-to-face interaction (Burt).
• Individuals increasingly using technology over personal interaction, blocking conversation and communication.

Changes in Social Behavior

• Shift from outdoor activities to screen-based activities affecting behavior and attention (Singh).
• Technology's essential role in life, sometimes imperceptible effects (Wood).
• Imperative social skills like concentration and memorization being affected.

Social Development Concerns

• Potential negative changes in social development due to early technology use.
• Electronic friendships possibly hindering interpersonal skill development (Subrahmanyam).
• Regular social media users may exhibit narcissistic tendencies (Loop).
• Technology use linked to negative psyche effects and a lack of patience (Martin).

Decline in Social Skills

• Substantial decline in social skills with increased social media use.
• Youth limit potential and creativity due to overuse of technology.

Works Cited

• A range of sources discussing the paradoxes of technology, impacts on behavior, and societal effects.
• Key authors: Mick & Fournier, Kidd & Chen, Wood, Loop, Subrahmanyam, Martin, Rowan, Singh, Burt, and Bindley.