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'''Social media''' is a term for websites and applications that allow users to share information and communicate with other users in a "social" setting.

 

'''Social media''' is a term for websites and/or applications that allow users to share information and communicate with other users in a "social" setting.

==Characteristics of Users==

==Characteristics of Users==

Unfortunately, many users become addicted to such sites.  In fact, 2010 statistics for Facebook show users spend more than 928 million hours per month playing online games <ref>[http://socialtimes.com/facebook-gamers-hours-per-month_b24156 Facebook Gamers Play 927 Million Hours of Games Per Month [Infographic], Social Times, October 18, 2010]</ref>. This addictive behavior results in:  

Unfortunately, many users become addicted to such sites.  2010 statistics for [[Facebook]] show users spend more than 928 million hours per month playing online games.<ref>[http://socialtimes.com/facebook-gamers-hours-per-month_b24156 Facebook Gamers Play 927 Million Hours of Games Per Month [Infographic], Social Times, October 18, 2010]</ref>  This addictive behavior results in:  

*depression [http://www.mobiledia.com/news/85472.html]

*depression [http://www.mobiledia.com/news/85472.html]

*displacement of healthy social gatherings{{fact}}

*displacement of healthy social gatherings{{fact}}

*increased likelihood of divorce<ref>[http://www.aaml.org/about-the-academy/press/press-releases/e-discovery/big-surge-social-networking-evidence-says-survey- AAML press release] </ref>

*increased likelihood of divorce<ref>[http://www.aaml.org/about-the-academy/press/press-releases/e-discovery/big-surge-social-networking-evidence-says-survey- AAML press release] </ref>

*higher exposure to [[cyberbullying]] and other online threats. <ref>[http://mg.co.za/article/2011-05-10-a-million-children-being-bullied-on-facebook 'A million children being bullied on Facebook', Mail&Guardian Online, May 10, 2011]</ref>

*higher exposure to [[cyberbullying]] and other online threats.<ref>[http://mg.co.za/article/2011-05-10-a-million-children-being-bullied-on-facebook 'A million children being bullied on Facebook', Mail&Guardian Online, May 10, 2011]</ref>

Social media experts and psychologists have noted that many users find the need to constantly update their status, check on other's statuses or play games suffer from what is known as "Facebook Addiction Disorder."  The "disorder" was shown to be prevalent in young people, as a study showed that college students who were asked to abstain from facebook for 24 hours experienced helplessness, loneliness, and anxiety<ref>[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Culture/Lifestyle/2011/Jul-09/Spending-hours-updating-your-status-You-may-be-a-Facebook-addict.ashx#axzz1RvVMJJOr Spending hours updating your status? You may be a Facebook addict] The Daily Star, July 9, 2011 </ref>

Social media experts and psychologists have noted that many users find the need to constantly update their status, check on the status of others or play games suffer from what is known as "Facebook Addiction Disorder."  The "disorder" was shown to be prevalent in young people, as a study showed that college students who were asked to abstain from using Facebook for 24 hours experienced helplessness, loneliness, and anxiety.<ref>[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Culture/Lifestyle/2011/Jul-09/Spending-hours-updating-your-status-You-may-be-a-Facebook-addict.ashx#axzz1RvVMJJOr Spending hours updating your status? You may be a Facebook addict] The Daily Star, July 9, 2011 </ref>

==Criticism of Social Media==

==Criticism of Social Media==

Despite several social media websites boasting large numbers of users, active user percentages have slowed or declined in recent times.  For example, facebook reported only a 1.7% month to month increase in active users<ref>[http://www.buzzom.com/2011/06/facebooks-growth-rate-is-dropping-says-report/ Facebook’s Growth Rate is Dropping, says Report] Buzzom.com, June 13, 2011</ref>. Social media critics have noted that these sites often promote "hive-mind" behavior, where many users band together behind one ideology, usually liberalism.  In June 2011, users of the website [[Reddit]] crashed White House phone lines<ref>[http://caivn.org/article/2011/06/18/internet-activists-crash-white-house-phone-lines-calling-end-war-drugs INTERNET ACTIVISTS CRASH WHITE HOUSE PHONE LINES CALLING FOR AN END TO THE WAR ON DRUGS] CA Independent Voter Network, June 18, 2011</ref>.

Despite several social media websites boasting large numbers of users, active user percentages have slowed or declined in recent times.  For example, Facebook reported only a 1.7% month to month increase in active users.<ref>[http://www.buzzom.com/2011/06/facebooks-growth-rate-is-dropping-says-report/ Facebook’s Growth Rate is Dropping, says Report] Buzzom.com, June 13, 2011</ref>  Social media critics have noted that these sites often promote "hive-mind" behavior, where many users band together behind one ideology, usually liberalism.  In June 2011, users of the website [[Reddit]] crashed White House phone lines.<ref>[http://caivn.org/article/2011/06/18/internet-activists-crash-white-house-phone-lines-calling-end-war-drugs INTERNET ACTIVISTS CRASH WHITE HOUSE PHONE LINES CALLING FOR AN END TO THE WAR ON DRUGS] CA Independent Voter Network, June 18, 2011</ref>

==Benefits of Social Media==

==Benefits of Social Media==

Republicans and conservatives, however, [[Twitter#Prominence|have been able to utilize the social media site Twitter more than their Democratic counterparts]].  Success of [[Tea Party]] rallies are a result of organizers utilizing social media, such as Facebook and [[Twitter]], to engage volunteers and spread the word<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/11/organizers-recipes-effective-tea-parties/ Organizers Give Recipes for Effective Tea Parties] Fox News, April 11, 2009</ref>.

Republicans and conservatives [[Twitter#Prominence|have been able to utilize the social media site Twitter more than their Democratic counterparts]].  Success of [[Tea Party]] rallies are a result of organizers utilizing social media, such as Facebook and [[Twitter]], to engage volunteers and spread the word.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/11/organizers-recipes-effective-tea-parties/ Organizers Give Recipes for Effective Tea Parties] Fox News, April 11, 2009</ref>  

Employers have also used social media sites to vet potential employees, particularly to see if potential hires have engaged in sexist or racist commentary or displayed photos of illegal activities<ref>[http://www.itworld.com/it-managementstrategy/176227/have-you-cleaned-your-facebook-profile-your-next-job-may-depend-it Cleaned up your Facebook profile yet? Your next job may depend on it.] IT World, June 21, 2011</ref>.

Employers have also used social media sites to vet potential employees, particularly to see if potential hires have engaged in sexist or racist commentary or displayed photos of illegal activities.<ref>[http://www.itworld.com/it-managementstrategy/176227/have-you-cleaned-your-facebook-profile-your-next-job-may-depend-it Cleaned up your Facebook profile yet? Your next job may depend on it.] IT World, June 21, 2011</ref>

Politicians who embrace [[Facebook]] seem to enjoy a short-term boost in popularity followed by a long-term decline in credibility.<ref>[[Barack Obama]] and [[Sarah Palin]] are two examples of this.</ref>

Politicians who embrace [[Facebook]] seem to enjoy a short-term boost in popularity followed by a long-term decline in credibility.<ref>[[Barack Obama]] and [[Sarah Palin]] are two examples of this.</ref>

==References==

==References==

<references />

<references/>

==External Links==

==External Links==

* [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700139450/Priest-cautions-flock-against-allowing-children-on-Facebook.html Priest cautions flock against allowing children on Facebook]

* [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700139450/Priest-cautions-flock-against-allowing-children-on-Facebook.html Priest cautions flock against allowing children on Facebook]

* [http://dailycaller.com/2011/07/13/ask-matt-labash-the-social-media-scourge-embracing-the-new-dumbness-and-keeping-america-mediocre/ Ask Matt Labash: The social media scourge, embracing the new dumbness, and keeping America mediocre]

* [http://dailycaller.com/2011/07/13/ask-matt-labash-the-social-media-scourge-embracing-the-new-dumbness-and-keeping-america-mediocre/ Ask Matt Labash: The social media scourge, embracing the new dumbness, and keeping America mediocre]

[[Category:Online social networking]]

[[Category:Online social networking]]

[[Category:Websites]]

[[Category:Websites]]