Surviving College

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/oct/05/teens-social-networking-good-for-them

http://time.com/9207/social-media-is-making-you-stupid/

This article post from 2013, debates the issue of whether or not social media is a bad influence for kids.  Referencing adults and well-known people saying that they are afraid the younger generation will become detached from the "real world."  The author of on the other hand believes that not all kids are addicted to the social networking life as many believe.  He states that only 20% kids send more than 200 texts per day, and that 31% sends less than 20 texts per day.  To support his belief,  he uses evidence that suggests that the more social kids are the ones who text more often. He then uses evidence to suggest that the technology has enable us to become more sophisticated writers.  He says that according to evidence, essays have become more complex and longer than in the past.  Needless to say this writer is an advocate of social networking and doesn't believe it hurts a child's social life.
In the second article, they discuss a study that was done, that studied analytic ability compared to use of social networking.  In short, the study showed that social networking made it easier for people to find answers and copy them, requiring virtually no effort.  The author of this article, then states that he agrees with the study and that social networking withers away analytic ability.  In my opinion, which you can take as you please, social networking can both ways.  In many ways social networking and new technology might hinder academic ability by making it easier to cheat.  Also, social networking might actually improve socialization instead of hindering it.  In my personal experience people who use social networks frequently and text more often, have more friends and really are more likely to socialize.  Things like facebook have also been a positive thing, allowing people who havent seen each other in many many years to reconnect and actually meet in person as well as keep up with their personal life.  But they also have many downsides.  Cyber bullying has increased of late, because it allows kids to hide behind a screen and be mean or start a fight.  Both articles make good strong points and both may very well be correct, but when it comes to social networking, if used properly, can be a good thing.