Social media is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot these days, but it can be difficult to answer the question "What is social media really?" Social media is essentially the websites and applications we use to create and share content about our daily lives, through participation in various sites. Information technology (IT) is the category that social networking falls into and is rapidly changing whilst being integrated into many areas of modern Australian life. The reason is that children of the 21st century are considered the digital generation. It is the latest technology that spreads information faster than any other media in the world; and this is why social media attracts the “digital generation”. Social media has a number of positive features in everyday life, however there are also a number of related negative aspects. The negative aspects of social media have been shown to not only harm the well-being of individuals, but their families and communities are also affected. There are countless social networking sites around the world, existing to support a variety of interests. For most children and adolescents, Internet access is greatest at home. From 2008 to 2009, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), IT use was significantly higher in households with children, compared to those without. Interestingly, 91% of households with children residing had access to a computer, while only 73% of households with no children present had access to a computer. The ABS also noted that broadband internet access is more likely to be possible in a household where children reside. The primary factor contributing to the findings listed above was income… middle of paper… the amount of time spent on social networking sites is critical for parents to have a sense of control over their children's online activities . presence, minimizing the possibility of dependence on these sites. Social networks are causing more harm than good in society, if traditional, personal interactions continue to be replaced with conversations through online networking sites, it won't be long before they are perceived as the 'norm'. Traditional methods of interaction will continue to be at risk if the effects of social media are not realized. Social networking sites were created as a means to make it easier for people to communicate in a timely and efficient manner, they were not created to completely take over face-to-face communications. The constant use of online networking is doing more harm than good not only on an individual level, but also across the community