Mediaboss Marketing

PUBLISHED: 13:00 23 April 2017

Brogan Quinn, 19, Aylsham

File picture of someone using social media. Picture: Lauren Hurley/PA Wire

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Social networking platforms are places where you can keep up with friends, share memories and most of all, express yourself and your opinions.

With most young people spending an estimated total of eight hours a day online, they are constantly exposed to ever changing views of others. So how can it affect them?

Hashtags are an easy way to keep up to date with current news and events which are happening worldwide.

By tagging something in a Tweet you can essentially join in a discussion with others and voice your opinion on a situation or an event. If you click on a hashtag you are also exposed to many others who have the same or sometimes opposing opinions.

This is a great way for many to connect with others and learn the two sides of an argument.

Discussing important topics can also help young people expand their knowledge and learn to be expressive.

Today, you can see a growing number of teenagers talking about politics and social issues which also helps give them the opportunity to ask questions and learn new things.

There is no doubt that some young people can sometimes be influenced with the most popular opinion on some discussions.

This can be due to feeling a need to fit in or that they are scared to say their own thoughts so go with what other people believe. This is somewhat of a restriction for some as you should be able to feel able to speak freely without the fear of judgement.

Social media can be a marvellous place for a generation who have grown up with technology to learn new things from others and learn to be expressive.

However, it is also important to remember that everyone is entitled to an individual opinion and to be kind to others whilst online. Once something has been said on the internet, it will still be there even if deleted.

Are social networks a good place to voice your opinions? Let us know what you think on Twitter, @FuturevoicesNfk

Read this article:
Future Voices: Are social networks a good place to voice opinions? - Norfolk Eastern Daily Press