Karla+A’s+OpEd+Article

==== Our society seems to revolve around social networks. “Follow us on Twitter!” and “Like us on Facebook!” have become far too familiar phrases. Social networks certainly have, and continue to impact our society greatly. They stimulate enhanced interaction with friends and family; offer students beneficial access to educational support; and propagate useful information rapidly. They are meant to be helpful, but due to the way in which they are more than often used, it is hard to see them as anything more than detrimental. ====

==== “Thanks social networks for allowing me to talk to my distant relatives…and harass the girl I cannot stand!” Social networks have become the best tools for bullying. Suicide due to cyber bullying has increased and possibly will continue to. There is something about typing behind a screen without being face to face with a person that makes it easier for people to say things people wouldn’t typically say. In addition to suicide rates, the increase in divorce rates can also be attributed to social networks. “Why did you like her picture?!!!” People use social media to reconnect with “old flames” and flirt, thinking it will not be serious. Well guess what people?! It is! Whether it is behind a screen or face to face, what you say to someone is equally powerful. I think people forget they are talking to real people with real feelings when they are behind a screen. Far too many individuals abuse of the ability of communication social networks have granted us. ====

==== I recently came across a very…well, “interesting” happening. A boy in his late teens was suspended from Vine and Twitter after posting a video of himself having sex with a Hot Pocket. Yes ladies and gentlemen: a Hot Pocket. I was appalled. I wanted to know whether there was rational reasoning behind the act, and just as I thought: there wasn’t. The young man said he did it to ‘gain fame’. He promised on Twitter to do the deed, concerning the ever so popular Hot Pockets, if he obtained more than 420 retweets. “420 retweets and i’ll f** a hot pocket after i heat it up” (he didn’t even capitalize his I’s wow). So yeah thanks a bunch social networks! Thank you for giving the young man the opportunity to become incredibly well-known! I’m sure he will be happy to have posted that video twenty years from now! ====

==== Social networks were created with the best intentions in mind. I do not think social networks wanted to serve as tools for bullying, catalysts of cheating, or a source for people to post ridiculous doings (or at least I hope not). Social networks were meant to be beneficial but due to the way in which they are truly used they have become more detrimental than helpful. ====