With the rising popularity of social networking sites, debate around the impact is also heated. One popular opinion is that both individuals and the society suffer from the huge negative impact of social networking sites. I completely agree with this idea.

Admittedly, social networking sites have brought some positive changes. For example, people are able to interact with lives that they never had the chance to. Some became friends and enjoys their friendship even though they are thousands of miles apart. Another positive impact is that minorities became more visible and get heard by more people. Those in need but scattered across the country finally manage to speak out with one voice that can no longer be ignored. Therefore, the society is forced to face the issue.

However, it is clear that social networking sites have heavily damaged both individuals and the society. For individuals, cyber bullying has brought unforgettable pain to many. One can face hundreds or even thousands of hate messages if he or she shows characteristics disliked by the public. Owing to this unbearable pressure, numerous people commit suicide each year.

For the society, social networking sites have made the society more divided than ever. People with similar ideas tend to gather and form echo chambres. Always hearing similar ideas make them believe more firmly that they are correct. Consequently, groups holding opposite views attack each other more fiercely and more often. As a result, the society becomes more polarized, which is a severe chanllenge to modern societies.

To sum up, although social networking sites have benefit both individuals and society, they have also had huge negative impacts. The society should properly address those problems and try to tackle them.