The ubiquitous use of the Internet and social media is changing our society—in some ways, for the worse. Use of social media, the Internet, and other purely digital and less-personal communication methods are distorting the intellectual and social maturation of teens and preteens in particular—those among us who were born into and raised with Internet technology. People’s ability to read facial expressions, interpret subtle differences in spoken intonation, and perceive body language is in significant decline due to the use of social media and the Internet largely replacing direct, face-to-face contact with other human beings.

This book documents how changes in our daily behavior caused by the proliferation of social media are reshaping individuals’ personalities and causing an evolution of the character of our society as a whole. Readers will understand how these important changes came about and how more connectivity all too often leads to more ignorance and less comprehension, and will consider solutions that could counter the negative effects of being “too connected, too often.”

Features

• Focuses on the effects of the Internet and social media overall on the specific groups most affected: ‘tweens, teens, and college students, individuals who take to the use of such modern communication methods naturally but who are also ill-equipped to use self-control to resist the instant gratification, constant distraction, and addictive behaviors that come with social media
• Alerts readers to consequences of social media and Internet use of which they are likely unaware
• Identifies practical solutions that can serve to counter the wide-reaching negative effects of excessive use of and reliance on social media