User:Cyberneticism/Prosocial behavior

Social media effects on Prosocial Behavior
Global use of social media is growing, especially among adolescent social media users . The negative effects of social media has been a large focus of scientific research , however  social media can also be a catalyst for prosocial behavior both online and offline.  Erreygers and colleagues define online prosocial behavior as "as voluntary behavior carried out in an electronic context with the intention of benefitting particular others or promoting harmonious relations with others" '''. Examples of online prosocial behavior include electronic donation of money to specific causes or the sharing of information and resources, such as in times of natural disaster.'''

One example of online prosocial behavior during natural disasters is the relief effort in the wake of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami off the coast of Japan, when users turned to Facebook and Twitter to provide financial and emotional support via their social networks. Direct donations to Japanese relief were possible on The Red Cross fan page on Facebook, and via online discount sites like Groupon and LivingSocial.