The first instinct of teens today when something exciting or thoughtful happens is to post a picture or a status on social networking sites such as Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. Social media is changing various social aspects in todays society. The internet is an extremely influential aspect in our society. Many aspects in an individuals life can change due to social media such as job opportunities, friendships, and even relationships. Social media has transformed social aspects of society.

  According to The Statistics Portal, there are more than 1.6 billion social network users world wide. More than sixty-four percent of the internet users use social media online.

Teenagers time is being consumed by Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. The Statistics Portal stated: “as of the second quarter of 2014, Twitter had 271 million monthly active users. Instagram had 200 million monthly active users worldwide. In June 2014, Facebook had more than 1.32 billion global monthly active users, including over one billion mobile monthly active users.”

When Marissa D’Angola, a freshman who attends Wilkes University was asked how often do you use Twitter, Instagram, and or Facebook she responded: “On average I use social networking sites about six hours per day. Whenever I am bored or need a break from studying I check up on my followers on these sites.”

Ashley Weber is also a freshman who attends Wilkes University. Weber explained that she has met important people in her life such as friendships through Facebook and twitter. Weber even met her roommate through Facebook! The internet is extremely powerful and creates many life long connections in today’s society. However, there are downfalls to the internet and these social networking sites as well.

Our generation is unaware and or forgot what it feels like to not be influenced and impacted by the internet. For example, instead of an individual enjoying their meal or describing their meal that they consumed at a restaurant to a friend, they take a picture of it. I don’t know about you but my first instinct when my food arrives at my table is to eat it not take a picture!

If something happens in one’s life such as an engagement, a good test score, a good deed, or a surprise it is immediately posted on Instagram, twitter or Facebook.

People broadcast their relationships on social networking sites as well. Whether it is a positive aspect or a negative aspect within the relationship many post their personal life on Twitter. There has been many arguments between couples due to their favorites or even their snapchat best friends.

Many individuals meet their significant others on these websites as well through Facebook messages, Twitter, and Instagram direct messages. The Statistics Portal explained: “In 2014, the leading dating website in the United States with global audiences was match.com with 35 million monthly users.” There are many success stories. About 8 percent of 18-29 year olds admitted to The Statistics Portal to being in a committed relationship with a spouse or partner they met online.

Individuals, especially teenager’s need to remember and understand that their worth and value is not measured by the amount of Instagram likes one gets on their picture or by the amount of followers or favorites one attains.