Running head: EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 1

Effects of Social Media

Muhammad Attique Anwar

Syed Affaq Hussain Shah

Waqar Ahmad

Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan

EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 2

Table of Contents

1. Abstract………………………………………………………………. 2

2. Introduction…………………………………………………………… 4

3. Problem Statement……………………………………………………. 4

4. Background……………………………………………………………. 5

i) Depression and Anxiety………………………………………5

ii) Unrealistic Expectations………………………………………5

iii) General Addiction…………………………………………….5

iv) Youth Mindsets……………………………………………….5

v) Unhealthy Sleep Patterns………………………………………6

5. Discussion……………………………………………………………. 6

i) Methodology……………………………………………6

ii) Procedure……………………………………………….6

1. Questionnaire……………………7

2. Survey…………………………….7

3. Compilation………………………7

6. Data and Analysis Result……………………………………………. ….8

7. Conclusions………………………………………………………………14

8. Recommendation…………………………………………………………14

9. Questionnaire…………………………………………………………….15
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 3

Abstract

The report under consideration represents the effects of Social Media on our daily circle of lives.

The usage of Social Media is increasing day by day. There is a positive and as well as the

negative aspect of everything. The study was conducted to check out the impact of Social Media

on the lives of different ages of people and genders. After conducting the research, it was

concluded that the Social Media has entered very much in the lives of people and affecting their

daily lives. People spend most of the time on the social networking sites. Middle aged persons

were more attracted towards it and there is no effect of gender on it. This information states that

social media has very much affected our life styles.

Keywords: Social Media, Impact, Positive, Negative.

EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 4

Effects of Social Media

The advent of the internet in the 1990’s led to major development in the world of

communication hence the introduction of social networking sites. Social media platform such as

Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Snapchat and Instagram have single handily changed society and

the way we view ourselves and other people. Take a walk down any high street and around 70

percent of people will be using a mobile device or will be clutching one as it was a newborn

child.

Introduction

The birth of the Internet and its success in changing our society has been largely

researched in various subjects and defined in various terms. Social media is the most recent form

of media and having many features and characteristics. It has many facilities on same place like

communicating, texting, image sharing, audio and video sharing etc. Its usage is increasing day

by day all over the world.

Problem Statement

The usage of Social media is causing devastating effects among the people. Its usage has

caused different problems among the society. The aim of this study is to investigate the impacts

of Social Media on the people of modern era. Following are some factors which were targeted

during the study:

o Usage among different ages

o Mostly used media

o Impact on youth

o Impact on social life

o Impact on emotions
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 5

o Impact on daily lifestyle

Background

Let’s explore the sides of social media and exactly how it is bad for you. You’ll be

surprised to learn the negative effects of social media are both physical and mental. Following

are some factors which the social media is spreading now a days:

Depression and Anxiety1

One of the most troubling things about technology is its correlation with increased

rates of depression, particularly in people who spend a lot of time using it. It’s not

surprising though, once you realize that they can ruin our sleep habits and affect us in

other ways mentally.

Unrealistic Expectations

This one probably comes as no surprise, but social media helps you to form

unrealistic expectations of life and friendships. The network that do it mostly are

Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter. These are the social media platforms that severely

lack online authenticity.

General Addiction

Social Media is often described as being more addictive than cigarettes and

alcohol. With the worst social media apps being Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter when

it comes to addiction.
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 6

Youth Mindsets

Social media has become prominent part of life for many young people today.

Most people engage with social media without thinking what the effects are on their lives.

Are we as a society becoming more concerned with Facebook “friends” that we are the

people to interact with face to face in their lives? There are many positive aspects, but

there are equally as many dangers that come with the use of sites such as Facebook,

WhatsApp. Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+, tumbler, Instagram, gaming sites, and

blogs. In order to make the right choices, we must dig in research the topic thoroughly.

Unhealthy Sleep Patterns

The increased rates of anxiety and depression spending too much time on social

media can lead to poor sleep. Numerous studies have shown that increased use of social

media has a negative effect on your sleep quality. If you feel like your sleep patterns

have become irregular and that this is affecting your productivity, try and avoid spending

a significant amount of time on social media

Discussion

Ethnographic research approach was used in the collection of data which is concerned

with the understandings among the people. Different types of techniques were got into

consideration while collecting the data but secondary type of data was preferred.
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 7

Methodology

Procedure.

In order to guarantee successful implementation of the report the plan of getting the

primary data was executed. For this purpose, we decided to get deeply into the topic and

researched for its background and effects on the human phycology. After getting all of the

information the research on the report was started. In order to get the answers of the questions

firstly the questionnaire was prepared.

Questionnaire.

In order to gather appropriate data with a questionnaire, the design and planning are the

vital parts. In order to produce a reliable questionnaire and minimize biases in the report, we had

to consider three areas main issues: the wording of the questions, the appropriate categorization

of variables and the general appearance of the questionnaire. To make the questionnaire more

authentic and reliable after jotting down the questions it was made available on the Google docs

which was really an easy method for the survey.

Survey.

As mentioned earlier, the survey was conducted on Google Docs. The questionnaire was

prepared online and was deployed among the random group of people having different age

ranges and professions. Majority of the people included the students as they were the main target

of our report. Because the most effected generation today by social media is the youth. The copy

of the link was sent through different mediums and people were requested to fill the form

according to their own mindsets.

EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 8

Compilation.

The data was collected by gap of two days. The target was to get the information from the

list of 40 people having different genders. After getting the information the data was compiled no

time which showed the results. As the data was collected through online sources so it was not so

difficult to gather it. So, the graphs and spreadsheet of the data was easily archived.

Data Analysis and Results.

As mentioned above, most of the survey is conducted between students which is mostly

the age of 18 to 25. That’s why the majority in this graph shows the age between 18-25 which is

60 percent of the total survey. This is because to the youth the social media gadgets are easily

assessable to them. So, they mostly prefer to spent their time on the social media rather than

going out or doing something physically. The second largest percentage on the graph is showing

the age of 10 to 18 years which is using the social media now a days. that is also thinkable

thought because these both the ranges of ages are our future youth which is going to do

something for our country. If our youth is just wasting their time on the social media just to time

pass or for their enjoyment then we are at great loss. They are not aware of the upcoming herders

that the world is progressing continually day by day. And they are just passing their precious

time in leisure and fun. They should be aware of that they are getting noting from using the

social media day and night. They are damaging their mindsets by watching fake and unreal

facts on the social media which is more dangerous in their relationships and daily routine. The

third and not the least usage of social media is by the age of 25 to 40. They are also in the same

circle of using the social media for just entertainment or for their leisure time. Their percentage is

about 15 percent of the total. They are also giving much importance to unreal things than giving

time and importance to real family members and spending their time with living beings. And at
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 9

last the people which is also using the social media is the age of 40 and above but they are not as

much addicted to it as the others are.

Figure 1. Variation of Ages

Figure 2. is showing that if the person is some how not using the social media for a day

or two they became restlesss and started to feel uncomfortable. They are like addicted to it very

badly . Which is not a good sign for there relationships and for their behaviour with the others

.They start to act differently and they became angry on very little things which will get them

nothing. The people which agree with the question are 57.5 percent of total which is very much

.Which means most of the people thinks the same that they became restless and troubled now a

days without using social media or being not active on their social media for one to two days.The

30 percent of people disagree with the question .They don’t feel like restless or troubled. That

would be because they would have other activities to take part in them.They don’t bother if they

are active or not on social media .And 12.5 percent of the people are not sure if they have such
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 10

problem sith them or not they never noticed such a ting in there life.

Figure 2. Restlessness among the people

Figure 3. shows the most important problem now a days, that because of social media our

relationships are not that strong enough. The graph is also showing that people are in the favor of

the question. The 65 percent agrees with it. Because they may have experienced that somehow in

their lives. This is happing because people are giving more and more time to social media than to

their partners, friend and family. That’s why the bond between the living beings is breaking.

Human being needs time and affection to get attached with each other. The 25 percent disagrees

with it too. They don’t think like that it is affecting anything between relationships or have

negative affect on their lives. The 10 percent are not sure if it doing anything with their relative

life’s or not.
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 11

Figure 3. Effects on Relationships

Figure 4. shows that 55 percent of this survey shows that the people are in favor the

question. That the social media is became much part of our lives. In every matter of our daily

routine we are concerning the social media to do any task. We feel free to get result of any query

through social media. Because its fast and reliable too. That’s why most of people agrees with it.

The difference between (Not Sure) and (Disagree) is not much .25 percent are not sure about the

fact that it is integrated into our life’s or not .and the remaining 20 percent disagrees the fact that
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 12

the social media is becoming part of our life’s.

Figure 4. Interruption in Lives

Figure 5. shows that 50 percent of the people get irritated if they are interrupted while

using the social media. They are very much addicted and attached to it that they don’t worry

about others and they don’t want to do anything else while they are using the social media. The

35 percent don’t feel anything if they are disturbed while using it. They don’t give it that much

importance to it that will feel uncomfortable to them if they are disturbed or interrupted while

using social media. And the remaining 15 percent are not sure about how they feel if they are

interrupted during the usage of social media.

EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 13

Figure 5. Irritation of Mindsets

Figure 6. shows that 57.5 percent of this graph is showing that social media has a bad

impact on people. That’s because social media usage changed the way people meet with each

other now a days. The behavior of people is changed. Their feelings are changed for one another.

The mentality of people and the way they think of one another is also changed. And the 25

percent of them don’t know if it has a bad impact on people or not. They are kind an unaware of

the fact. Which is showing there are more people which are not sure about that the social media

is having bad impact on people or not. They don’t disagree the fact. The 17.5 percent disagrees

with the fact that social media is having bad impact on the lives of people and on their routine.
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 14

Figure 6. Impact on People

II. Conclusions

The report is concluded in a very well manner. According to the report it is concluded

that the people are more likely addicted towards the social media. Many of the people

agreed to the argument that the social media has the bad impacts on the society and on the

mindsets of the people according to the survey. The mindsets of the people are restricted

to their own. There is no difference in the usage of social media. The people are against

the usage of social media but they are using it because it is the modern-day demand.

III. Recommendtions

Technology has spread very speedily from the last 10 to 15 years. Social media is one of its part.

The usage of Social media is tremendous now and has many bad effects. It gives us the

advantages as well as the disadvantages. Its usage is spreading like a wild fire in the youth. They

are socially connected but physically and emotionally they are not. The people have purpose less

aims. Social media is causing the destruction of relationships. The need of the hour is that there
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 15

is a dire need of solving this problem by restricting the availability of the resources and taking

some positivity in our mindsets.

Questionnaire

Effects of Social Media

This form is to check out the effects of the usage of social media on the people. Rate these questions
according to your own thinking and be a part of this survey. We will be really grateful to you for this.

* Required

1. Name *

2. In which region does your age fall? *

Mark only one oval.

10-18 years
18-25 years
25-40 years
40 or more

3. What is your gender? *

Mark only one oval.

Female Male

4. What is your occupation? Mark only one

oval.

Student
Teacher
Employ
Other
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 16

5 How much time do you visit the Social Media sites in a day? * Mark only
one oval.

1-4 hours
4-6 hours
6-8 hours

8 hours or more

6. Which social platform, do you use the most? * Mark only one
oval.

Twitter
Facebook
WhatsApp
Others

7. Why do you use social media? * Mark only

one oval.

To forget worries
Entertainment
To gain valuable information

8. Do you think that youth use too much social media.? * Mark
only one oval.

Agree
Disagree
Not Sure

9. Do you become restless or troubled if you are unable to use

Social Media for a day or two? * Mark only one oval.

Agree
Disagree
Not Sure
10 Do you think that relationships have a negative effect, by the usage of Social Media? * Mark only
one oval.

Agree
Disagree
Not Sure
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA 17

11. Is Social Media deeply integrated into your daily life? * Mark only one oval.

Agree
Disagree
Not Sure

12. Does the usage of Social Media has affected the habit of your meetings? *
Mark only one oval.

Agree
Disagree
Not Sure

13. Does Social Media has restricted your mindset only to cell phones? * Mark only
one oval.

Agree
Disagree
Not Sure

14. Do you believe on the news mostly present on the Social Media? * Mark only
one oval.

Yes
No
Maybe
15 If interrupted during the usage of Social Media do you feel irritated? * Mark only
one oval.

Agree
Disagree
Not Sure

15. Do you Prefer the notion that Social Media has a bad impact on people? *
Mark only one oval

Agree
Disagree
Not Sure