On the Rise: Social Networking Apps
Social networking apps are currently on the rise to adolescents and adults. The convenient and popular apps can be downloaded with a click of a button on the app stores of many smart phones today. The rise of social networking apps are drastically changing the way of socializing for kids in the 21st century both physically and emotionally.
In this generation, people do not even have to physically go out to meet people, but can do so from the comfort of home due to the available social networking apps. Popular social apps like Vine, Instagram, Pheed, Keek, Twitter, and many more allow individuals to explore the world at the comfort of home, but with a change of their lifestyle.
People all over the world use these popular apps to keep up with those they know and those they do not. The social networking apps allows one to stay up to date with either friends or family with pictures or simple words. An avid user of the apps, Kirina Patel, says, “I love how simple it is to stay in touch with my family and friends.” Individuals tend to use the apps to be virtually social rather than physically present. Student at Leonia High School, Natalia Fernandez says, “The apps definitely make it a lot easier to communicate with friends and family even if I am not physically there.” Although the apps give people many benefits to communicating and socializing, it also takes away from their physical needs.
Social networking apps give people the advantage of exploring the world at the comfort of home. The rise of social networking apps arguably makes the user’s life much easier since communication is made convenient, but with more convenience comes less physical activity. The past generations of teens and children that did not have the convenience of a phone or other technology had to communicate and socialize using physical activity. Adolescents in the 21st century have the option of not being physical activity to socialize as they can do so at the comfort of their home due to the available social networking apps. The apps are not only making kids less physically active, but it also greatly impacts their lifestyle. Leonia High School student, Natalia Fernandez says, “I spend about 1-2 hours on the apps everyday.” The apps are consuming most of teens and kids’ time therefore preventing them from exercising. With the available apps on their smart phone that serves to their need of socializing, kids and teens do not think it is necessary to be physically active. As a result of lack of being physically active, children can become extremely lazy and obese.
Social Networking apps not only improved the way people communicate and made it more convenient, but made life less physical and individuals lazy. The rise of social networking apps arguably made the user’s life much easier since no physical activity is needed for simple communication or socializing. Although individuals argue that the apps make their social life more comfortable, it is becoming an issue of the decrease of physical activity for children and teens. The rise of social networking apps may be the fall of physical activity.