Negative Effects of Social Media<br />Mazin Hadi Kzar<br />Physical Education and Sport Sciences Department, Al-Mustaqbal University College, 51001 Hillah, Babil, Iraq<br />[email protected]<br /><br />Though social media help you connect easily with the whole world, the increased tendency of comparing with others makes them feel left out or inferior than others. <br /><br />Excessive use of social media makes one socially isolated and lonely than those who are not a frequent user of this technology.It causes them substance use, aggressive behavior and depression. It is also observed that excessive use of social networks cause anxiety, depression, and mental illness in people. It adversely impacted their entire well-being too.<br /><br />Social media allows full liberty to users to speak and write what their heart says. Any negative comment from any user can harm the overall reputation of a business in just a few seconds.<br /><br />Social networking is an instant and convenient communication channel that only requires a smartphone with a good internet connection. Due to increased communication via social media, there is seen a decline in face to face interaction between people. Such online interaction has lowered the authenticity and quality of relationships between people.<br /><br />When people have all the right to write about any other person, institution, or personality, they can even misuse this right to harm the reputation and image of others. This is seen in the form of cyber bullying.<br /><br />Social media has been seen to make people susceptible to depression and reduced social skills<br /><br />Users of social networking websites are prone to security attacks like hacking, sending viruses, identity theft and leaking of critical personal / business data in an organization.<br />In conclusion, psychologists recommend to lessen the use of social media to avoid the negative effects that may be detrimental to the health and relationships of people. Moreover, parents are advised to prevent their children from overusing the social media.<br />Keywords: negative effects, social media , health