The Social Media and Its Influence on Youth Behavior and Social Relationships

Abstract

The fast growth of social media has been greatly affecting the social fabric of contemporary society as a whole especially to youth behaviours and relations with one another. The current research paper examines the complex nature of the effect of the social media on young people within the age group of 18–25, including behavioural shift, communication, emotional status and quality of interpersonal relationships. The paper uses mixed-method research with an approach of quantitative survey and qualitative interviews. The results show that social media has two-fold effects- it strengthens interconnectedness and access to information and self-disclosure, on the other hand, it leads to behavioural addiction, short attention span, social comparison, and degradation of intimate interpersonal relationships. It is concluded in the study that to maintain meaningful social relations and enhance psychological well-being, it is important to ensure that social media are used in their balanced and mindful way.