How Social Media Helps (And Maybe Harms) People With Social Anxiety

Many people criticize that social media has ruined the forms of intimate communication because of the lack of face to face interaction which leads to lack of emotion and therefore, a lack of quality in the conversation. However, what if this form of communication was a good thing? People with social anxiety find themselves compromised when it comes to face to face interaction and many times become unable to keep up with the conversation. This is where social media come in.

With Facebook, Twitter, and texting, those with social anxiety can have long, detailed conversations without the fear of being judged or any other worries that "real" interactions can bring. There are no worries about the right reactions or the need to know exactly what you are going to say immediately. Now, those with social anxiety can have interactions with family, friends, and acquaintances without their phobias getting in the way.

But, face to face interactions for social-phobics aren't completely ruled out. Facebook can also help them prepare for intimate reactions. How? If they are friends on Facebook with, say, a coworker, they can look on his or her profile and see their likes and dislikes. This helps them figure out things that they have in common or things they can talk about and how they will initiate a conversation the next time they see the person in the office. With longer preparation, social anxiety is an easier obstacle to overcome.

However, like, everything, there are negative aspects. Some with social anxiety use social media sites and the internet as a crutch. They become addicted to the internet and may throw away any close relationships or outside goals. They also could use the internet as an escape from the real world, which could be detrimental to some. Like anything, it may have negative results for some. But, for those who are terrified with intimate reaction, minor social media use should not be ruled out.

Links:

Social Anxiety and the Internet: Is the Internet Helpful or a Hindrance? - See more at: http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1443/164137/social-anxiety-internet/#sthash.WjxF6Kzb.dpuf

Social Anxiety and the Internet: Is the Internet Helpful or a Hindrance?
http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1443/164137/social-anxiety-internet/