Running head: SOCIAL MEDIA 2 SOCIAL MEDIA 2 Is Social Media Doing More Harm Than You Think? Brianna Orewiler South College Abstract This paper dives into the research of the affects that social media has on society. An interview is conducted with a Licensed Professional Counselor, Amy Shelton, and the results of this interview are examined. Secondary sources are taken into consideration as they provide studies with evidence to back up their research. The gap in the conversation is discussed and solutions to this issue are given. Is Social Media Doing More Harm Than You Think? Introduction Social media is a part of almost everyone’s daily lives. Social media is utilized by different people for different reasons. The biggest platforms as of today include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and YouTube. These platforms were created, most importantly, to keep people connected and in touch with friends and family. It is also a tool for businesses to reach different audiences. Social media can be wonderful if used properly. Unfortunately, these platforms are not being used correctly, and that is having negative effects on its users. Many researchers have studied social media and its affects on people. For example, Nicholas Dantuono wrote about the positive and negatives found during his research. He claimed children are interacting less with peers in real life due to social media. He also talks about how social media is not going anywhere, so it is best for society to learn to live with it in a healthy way (Dantuono, 2015). In addition, in the Journal of Public Health, a study is provided with results showing electronic screen time affects children’s social development (Yang et al., 2019). Furthermore, Nazir Hawi and Maya Samaha wrote an article to “identify similarities and differences in relationships between technology addictions and personality characteristics, especially traits, self-esteem, and self-construal” (Hawi & Samaha, 2019). Moreover, Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe and Kathleen Clarke-Pearson wrote a journal about the positive and negative affects that social media has on children and to explain the importance of parents to monitor their children’s social media platforms. Likewise, in the Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, a study is conducted in order to “identify specific social media behaviors related to major depressive disorder (MDD)” (Robinson et al., 2019). The information that is being neglected in this research is a specific solution to the issue. Researchers have mentioned potential solutions, but not how it should be put into effect. Since social media is not going anywhere, there needs to be more focus on how children/adolescents are being negatively affected by it every day. The question here is, how do we change the impact social media is having on children, for the better? Children must be taught at a young age the “do’s and don’ts “of social media platforms and parents .

1. Running head: SOCIAL MEDIA 2
SOCIAL MEDIA 2
Is Social Media Doing More Harm Than You Think?
Brianna Orewiler
South College
Abstract
This paper dives into the research of the affects that social
media has on society. An interview is conducted with a
Licensed Professional Counselor, Amy Shelton, and the results
of this interview are examined. Secondary sources are taken
into consideration as they provide studies with evidence to back
up their research. The gap in the conversation is discussed and

2. solutions to this issue are given.
Is Social Media Doing More Harm Than You Think?
Introduction
Social media is a part of almost everyone’s daily lives. Social
media is utilized by different people for different reasons. The
biggest platforms as of today include Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter, Snapchat, and YouTube. These platforms were created,
most importantly, to keep people connected and in touch with
friends and family. It is also a tool for businesses to reach
different audiences. Social media can be wonderful if used
properly. Unfortunately, these platforms are not being used
correctly, and that is having negative effects on its users.
Many researchers have studied social media and its affects
on people. For example, Nicholas Dantuono wrote about the
positive and negatives found during his research. He claimed
children are interacting less with peers in real life due to social
media. He also talks about how social media is not going
anywhere, so it is best for society to learn to live with it in a
healthy way (Dantuono, 2015). In addition, in the Journal of

3. Public Health, a study is provided with results showing
electronic screen time affects children’s social development
(Yang et al., 2019). Furthermore, Nazir Hawi and Maya Samaha
wrote an article to “identify similarities and differences in
relationships between technology addictions and personality
characteristics, especially traits, self-esteem, and self-
construal” (Hawi & Samaha, 2019). Moreover, Gwenn Schurgin
O'Keeffe and Kathleen Clarke-Pearson wrote a journal about the
positive and negative affects that social media has on children
and to explain the importance of parents to monitor their
children’s social media platforms. Likewise, in the Journal of
Applied Biobehavioral Research, a study is conducted in order
to “identify specific social media behaviors related to major
depressive disorder (MDD)” (Robinson et al., 2019).
The information that is being neglected in this research is
a specific solution to the issue. Researchers have mentioned
potential solutions, but not how it should be put into effect.
Since social media is not going anywhere, there needs to be
more focus on how children/adolescents are being negatively
affected by it every day. The question here is, how do we
change the impact social media is having on children, for the
better? Children must be taught at a young age the “do’s and
don’ts “of social media platforms and parents must empower
their children with knowledge before ever using these sites.
Methods
I interviewed Amy Shelton, a Counselor at Trevecca Nazarene
University and a psychology professor at South College-
Nashville. I chose this person because she is a Licensed
Professional Counselor and she is currently working towards her
Ph.D. She works with students in college daily and can see the
affects firsthand. The interview occurred on May 16, 2019 at
12:30 p.m. over video chat. It consisted of eight open-ended
questions that I put together to try and uncover the gap in the
conversation about social media.
Results
First, Shelton was asked about how social media has affected

4. her life, to kick off conversation. She talked about how she
separates personal life and business and never accepts friend
requests from clients. When asked about what kind of impact
she has seen on adolescents due to social media, she replied
with “so much.” She went on to say, in her work, she sees
mostly girls affected with eating disorders, like body
dysmorphia, and that social media has “a huge impact on body
image” (A. Shelton, personal communication, May 16, 2019).
When it came to social media’s affect on someone’s wellbeing,
Shelton discussed how social media can have a “positive
impact, when staying connected.” It can help people keep up
with family and friends. She went on to describe the negative
impact is that because of social media “reality is a little bit
off,” and that we see “a perfect life” online. When discussing
how social media affects a person’s self-esteem, Shelton
explains that it can hurt someone’s self-esteem when they “are
comparing themselves to what they see”, even though what they
see “isn’t real.” She went on to say social media is not “all
bad.” She stated, “it can be empowering” and “it can keep
people informed in education.” Then, Shelton was asked about
how if she feels social media affects the development of social
skills in children. Shelton responded with “it has a huge impact
on social skill, because you can say anything on social media.”
She also stated children have “impaired social skills because
they talk over the phone, instead of face to face.” Amy Shelton
then went on to say that connection is the “best quality” of
social media. When asked “Overall, do you believe social media
helps or hurts people in general? Explain.” Shelton explained
social media has a “big role” in people’s life, and it really
“depends on how it is used.” She stated that she is 50/50 on this
question, that it can be good and bad. She said “we have to
learn to change with social media” and the best solution is for
“parents to teach children the ‘do’s and don’ts” of the
platforms. She also stated parents should “empower them with
knowledge.” Amy Shelton’s advice at the end of this interview
is “Don’t ever post what you don’t want others to see.”

5. Discussion
The interview with Amy Shelton answered all the
remaining gaps in the conversation about the way social media
affects people and what should be done to improve the impact it
has on children. Parents should empower their children with
knowledge before ever allowing them on any social platforms. It
has been proven over and over that social media, and the
behavior that is associated with it, causes problems with self-
esteem and even associates with major depressive disorder
(Robinson et al., 2019). This reiterates the fact that social
media can have a very negative impact. Shelton confirmed that
social media directly affects children’s real life social skills
because they are able to say anything they want over the
Internet. In addition, it was also proven that “exposure to
electronic screen media can increase the risk of poor social
communication skills in children” (Yang et al., 2019). As
Shelton stated, the impact of social media depends on how one
uses it. Therefore, when children use it, parents should first
instill it in their minds how it should be used and what
should/should not take place on these platforms.
One huge take away from the primary research conducted
on this subject is social media is what you make it. If you
practice negative social media behavior, then it will result in a
negative impact. But, if you practice positive behavior on these
social platforms, it should result in a positive impact on one’s
life. Shelton stated social media is “50/50” and it “can be both
good and bad.” This proves the point that social media is what
you make it. Nicholas Dantuono stated, “There is no surprise
that social media is here to stay with its availability and
usefulness in society today” (Dantuono, 2015). This ensures a
previous statement made by Shelton that social media is here to
stay, so therefore, society should learn to change and grow with
it.
Another huge takeaway from this research is the negative
impact social media has on adolescent’s psychological
wellbeing. In each study examined in the secondary research, a

6. negative psychological issue was brought on by social media—
or was at least associated with it. Even Shelton touched on the
fact that social media can cause eating disorders due to
children, mostly female according to her experience, comparing
themselves to other people on social media. It is discussed in
Hawi and Samaha’s research that Internet addiction is
associated with affecting one’s self-esteem. In Dantuono’s
research, he mentioned cyberbullying, which is a perfect
example of negative social media behavior that produces a
negative impact and can lead to the children involved to suffer
from things like depression. This is also something that could
be prevented by parental control. This leads back to the solution
of parents teaching their children how to use social media in a
correct and positive way. Teaching children at a young age, the
affects social media can have, could then stop them from
developing the negative behavior in the first place.
Conclusion
There are weaknesses and limitations to be considered in this
research. First, this lack’s insight from adolescents directly. To
improve, a questionnaire could be considered for adolescents
who currently use social media platforms to get their direct
answers or opinions on the subject. Another way this could be
improved is to interview parents or teachers to hear their input
on their involvement in social media. A limitation to be noted in
this research is the time limit, which is not enough time to
become an expert on the topic. This issue is still open for new
research and future studies to find more solutions to effectively
keep social media a healthy platform for everyone.
References
Dantuono, N. (2015, March 28). How social media is effecting
social and communication skills among adolescents. Retrieved
from
https://slwrig02.expressions.syr.edu/spring2015wrt205/2015/03/
28/how-social-media-is-effecting-social-and-communication-
skills-among-adolescents/

7. Hawi, N & Samaha, M. (2019). Identifying commonalities and
differences in personality characteristics of Internet and social
media addiction profiles: traits, self-esteem, and self-construal.
Behaviour & Information Technology. 38. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2018.1515984
O'Keeffe G, S & Clarke-Pearson, K. (2011). Clinical Report:
The impact of social media on children, adolescents, and
families. Pediatrics: Official Journal of the American Academy
of Pediatrics. Retrieved fromDOI: 10.1542/peds.2011-0054
Robinson, A. Bonnette, A. Howard, K. Ceballos, N. Dailey, S.
Lu, Y. Grimes, T. (2019, January 8). Social comparisons, social
media addiction, and social interaction: An examination of
specific social media behaviors related to major depressive
disorder in a millennial population. Journal of Applied
Biobehavioral Research. 24. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1111/jabr.12158
Shelton, A. (2019, May 16). Personal Interview.
Yang, Y. Jin, Z. Liu, S. Jin, X. Huang, H. Tong, S. (2019,
January 19). Children’s social communication skills and
electronic screen exposure, perinatal, and other risk factors.
PublicHealth Journal. 1-9. Retrieved from
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10389-019-01022-2
Child-Centered Classroom Assessment and Interview Form
Name and Type of Program:
Ages of Children Served:
Before you begin, thank the professional and provide a brief
overview of your assignment.
Part 1: Observation
For each of the following factors, indicate supporting evidence
in the right-hand column. If absent, please indicate. Add the two
factors you have chosen at the bottom of the chart.

8. Note: If you do not see any of the factors below, make a note to
ask the teacher in your interview about whether they are a part
of the program.
Factor
Evidence
Learning experiences encourage creative self-expression
Children have choices with regard to activities in which they
engage
Learning materials are relevant to children’s life experiences
(open-ended but purposeful)
Time is provided for children to initiate and take part in
activities
Teaching and learning experiences are integrated rather than
blocks of time separated subject by subject/content area by
content area (literacy, math, social studies, science as separate
entities)

9. Open-ended opportunities for creative exploration are provided
Learning centers are well organized and filled with objects
based on children’s interests
Learning centers provide a broad range of activities to
accommodate varying interests and levels of development
Multi-level activities to accommodate children’s varying
abilities are provided
Opportunities to create and experiment abound
Schedules and child-created lists promote self-regulation
Provided materials complement and extend classroom activities
There are opportunities to explore and document nature

10. Children are engaged in both free and directed play and/or
exploration
[The additional factor that you have chosen to observe]
[The additional factor that you have chosen to observe]
Part 2: Questions for the Professional
Professional’s Role in Program:
Interview Questions:
1. What does the term child-centered mean to you?
2. What strategies do you use to get to know children’s interests
and support children’s engagement and learning in your
environment?
3. What roles do discovery, exploration, and building on
children’s interests have in your curriculum?
4. What do you see as the role of play and exploration in early
childhood classrooms?
5. What do you see as potential challenges, if any, associated
with implementing curriculum based on children’s individual
interests?
6. Is there anything else you would like to share with regard to
the ways in which you effectively foster healthy development

11. and learning that meet the strengths and needs of every child in
your setting?
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