One of the most interesting phenomena of our time, from the point of view of psychologists, is social networks. Over the years, millions of people have become their users, who find friends and partners there, sell their products and share the details of their private life.
Instructions
Step 1
The popularity of social media continues to grow. This is due to their availability, high speed of information exchange with any people, including those in another country, and even simultaneously with many people. The very term "social network" appeared in 1954 thanks to the sociologist from the Manchester School, James Barnes. However, the existence of networks in reality became possible when the Internet became widely available to people. At first, communication, including groups of people, was carried out through e-mail, then teleconferences appeared. Then it became possible to communicate in real time. Initially, it was necessary for the exchange of information between companies and for business communication.
Step 2
Social networks acquired their modern form when the Internet became available to the general population. Special sites appeared - Classmates.com (in 1995), then Facebook and others, where people could keep in touch with friends and acquaintances, so as not to lose sight of them. Communication became more and more informal, communities and groups with common interests appeared. In the vastness of social networks, a special style of communication began to form. It is distinguished by a great freedom of self-expression, because the user can afford much more in virtual communication than in a real conversation with an interlocutor face to face.
Step 3
For many, social networks have become an outlet and entertainment in conditions of high employment, because everything is collected on one page - contacts of friends and acquaintances, videos, music, photos, news. There is no need to pick up the phone and dial a person's number, and then keep a conversation with him, if you can send him a message and write everything you need in it.
Step 4
There are people who are attracted to social networks by the possibility of dating in order to establish friendships, romantic or sexual relationships. At the same time, the fear of being criticized or rejected is not as high as in real life, since the opinion of a stranger does not inflict such a blow on self-esteem. In addition, you can hide your identity if you wish.
Step 5
One of the secrets of the popularity of social networks is that people enjoy watching the lives of others - reading their news, looking at photos, etc. On the one hand, this can be compared to watching a TV series, which helps to distract from your own problems. It is also a way to be inspired by other people's successes and lifestyle, or, conversely, to be glad that things are not so bad for themselves. But if some like to watch, then others - to flaunt their lives. Most often, such people try to embellish their lives - they exhibit only the best photographs with high-quality processing, taken on travel and restaurants, where they are cheerful and confident. This is a kind of self-affirmation and getting attention.
Step 6
Not all people are highly communicative and not everyone manages to build harmonious relationships and have pleasant communication in real life, so they compensate for this by communicating on the Internet, in communities and various discussions. This is also true for people with phobias, which limit their social activities. On the Internet, they communicate with like-minded people, looking for support and moral help. Someone also pours out their aggression in caustic comments, relieving stress.
Step 7
For some people, social media turns into a real addiction. There was even an expression “live on the Internet”. Now, when you can access the Internet from mobile phones, you can constantly be online. And since special applications allow you to instantly share photos, it has become customary for a number of people to shoot everywhere - in a cafe, on the street, in a bathroom, in a museum and in a movie, in order to immediately upload a photo. Without the photo function, they feel uncomfortable. And the younger generation often has no idea what it would be like to exist without the Internet and online communication.
