Argufight
Category: TECHRounds: 5Mode: StandardJudged by: AI Judges1 watchingStarted: Oct 30
ruelynn234 wins(2–1)
RU
215
RA
209
Round 1
RU
ruelynn234AGAINST
Social media is undoubtedly an integral part of the lives of youths in our contemporary society. However, to what extent is it a truly necessary aspect of our lives? Though banning access to it outright may seem like a heavy-handed move, one might argue that such a decision would ultimately bring more good than harm to the youths of today. Social media is not just a tool for these youths to see more of the world, it is a point of exposure for them: exposure to the graphic, malicious and ugly sides of the world that they are not yet ready to see. In our formative years, we are impressionable, easily influenced by external factors and what we are exposed to during this period. Social media serves as a gateway to the rest of the world, and oftentimes casts a spotlight on things that inevitably mar the psyche of these inexperienced, naïve individuals. Exposure to pornography, gore, graphic and bigoted content is what truly dictates how these youths will eventually come to see the world
RA
RaphaelFOR
first, we have to understand what is social media. Social Media is a new form of media that emerged from the tech boom in the early 2000s with companies like Facebook or twitter pioneering the industry. Social media is an online space where people can interact with one another from all around the world and post just about anything they want, and see other things posted by others. Social media is mainly used by the youths, as they are more exposed to such technology from a young age, they become more proficient and hence are the majority of the users on social media platforms. When we evaluate the banning of social media from youths having more good and bad, we have to understand that there are many boons and banes that can be considered. And I would like to posit that there are more harms than benefits of banning youths from social media as it will take away the fundamental tool youths use to communicate in this modern world, which can deprive them of their social skills and hence confidence.
Youths nowadays communicate over social media more than anything else. In the past, youths used to communicate in their local, friend groups in person. Now, in the modern society, youths use social media to communicate with everyone. From teachers to friends to even their family. Social media has become a cornerstone to youths social skills as they learn to interact with one another online through video calls, texts on the social media platforms. Taking away social media from youths would mean total isolation of the youths from social media, which would prevent them from communicating with anyone as social media is the main platform used to communicate, and that would deprive youths of the communication they need to develop interpersonal relationships. Cutting off communication opportunities for youths especially at such a crucial age where they are learning more about themselves will deprive them of communication skills, and will be largely detrimental to their holistic development. Hence banning youths completely from using social media brings more harm than good
Round 2
RU
ruelynn234AGAINST
Though it is true to say that social media is an important tool in allowing youths to interact with and learn from various people of different cultures all around the world, one may argue to what extent it is necessary for their healthy development. Despite the fact that it does undoubtedly build a deeper understanding of the world around them, it also exposes them to the unfiltered hatred, perversions and bigotry of the world. Social media does have its benefits and that cannot be refuted, but it stands to reason whether these benefits outweigh the adverse effects of early exposure to social media, to which I vehemently disagree. Is it truly worth sacrificing the mental health and psychological development of a youth whose frontal lobe has not fully developed for the sake of these communication skills? To integrate themselves effectively into their community, a youth must spend time physically with their peers, not just exchanging messages online through a social media platform. They have to learn to properly establish healthy relationships face to face, and develop that foundation prior to them being exposed to relationships that are wholly online. have you ever heard of the Japanese term "Hikkikomori"? loosely translating to "Shut-In", this term refers to individuals, most commonly youth, who are somewhat like hermits. These hikkikomori shut themselves in their home or rooms, and refuse to come out for extended periods of time, entertaining themselves online instead of actively engaging with the outside world. Social media acts as a means of escape for those who do not have the ability to thrive outside. Allowing the youth of today free, unrestricted reign and access to social media acts as a catalyst for this very phenomenon to happen. They have not yet developed the necessary skills to function as a member of society, and this access to social media often prevents this development altogether. There have been countless studies highlighting the detrimental effects that exposure to pornography, graphic content and gore have on the psyche and mental health of an individual in their formative years. I resolutely stand firm on the notion that whatever benefits that social media may bring, pale in comparison to the irrevocable harms that it also burdens youths of today with.
RA
RaphaelFOR
banning youths from social media brings by more harm than good as it may push youths to find alternatives that may violate or bypass the ban, which can be more dangerous than social media itself and in the process, foster a youth that becomes dishonest. As we all know, youths are in general, rebellious due to them being at the stage of puberty. Which may push them to do things to fight back, in some situations, to rules applied to them or convictions placed on them. Prohibiting youths from the use of social media would likely be done through ip address bans, or age verifications. This would cause youths to look for other alternatives to social media, which can turn them into the direction of illegal websites created in place of the bans , which would be illegal due to there being a ban and social media being disallowed for youths. This is harmful to the youths because they are committing a dishonest act and breaking the law. This is especially applicable as most youths will rebel against such a unruly policy that undermines the wellbeing of a youth as social media is a big part of their lives, and they will find a way to get back to their lives. For example in china, there was a ban for games for youths. Youths turned to illegal businesses that opened illegal internet gaming cafes for youths. And this is bad because bans like such, where games were banned are very similar to banning of social media, this pushes youths to partake in this illegal endeavour just to play games and also be dishonest as they break the rules. I would find such a case study to reflect well on how youths would react to a ban on social media, hence the banning of social media will bring more harm than good as it will cause the youths to turn to illegal ways to use social media, and also "nurture" them to become a dishonest person which can affect their growth as a person.