Social media is one of the controversial topics in the contemporary world. Some people think that social media is a hindrance to human interactions. On the other hand, some argue that it affects human relationships. This is attributed to the fact that social media makes individuals stay indoors most of the time. Therefore, the users of social media avoid direct interaction with other people. Instead, they use their computers, laptops, and phones to play games and interact with others via online sites. Some common social media sites individuals use for interaction include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Nevertheless, others think social media is a blessing to humanity. It is because social media makes human interaction much faster and more convenient. Moreover, social media use also enhances globalization. It also allows introverts to express themselves and enhances global social or business relationships. This essay will focus on social media and its impacts on society.
Social media has made communication more accessible for individuals than in earlier times. These days, it is possible to communicate with anyone regardless of where they stay across the globe. Some social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, make it easy for individuals to communicate anytime. With just a click of a button, someone can communicate with another person several miles away (Al-Qaysi et al., 2023). As a result, the use of social media assists in saving time. Social media sites help companies to advertise their items through their platforms. In this case, most of the social media sites have their sites where they advertise their products. This is beneficial for both the client and the company. In this case, the business will earn huge profits, and the consumers will get the necessary products. Facebook also permits individuals to share their post comments and photos.
Moreover, it also enables people to see people’s personal information. Currently, Facebook has more than 500 million users globally. Therefore, it is the most popular social media site individuals use to interact with others. Many individuals have taken advantage of the platform to create new friends.
In addition, social media enables people to access news and current information. People can know what has happened anywhere in the world within a short time. People only need to open social media platforms and get the latest and updated news. Sometimes, individuals know what has happened worldwide by getting news updates. The news that people get ranges from sports news, current events, or business news. Such news is important because it assists individuals in making choices in life (Dhiman, 2023). For instance, a potential investor can rely on the information given on social media to know the market trends. The information obtained can be used to make better investment decisions. Social media is also a source of entertainment for society. These days, there are several applications that social media users use for entertainment. One is YouTube, which enables individuals to view any entertaining content they want. This can be in songs, documentaries, or even movies. It is better than when individuals relied on traditional media platforms such as radios for entertainment.
Social media is also beneficial to the users because it is educative. Most individuals, especially students, benefit from the educative content on social media platforms. In this case, individuals can access online libraries and read books on various topics. Sometimes, individuals hold online discussions regarding various issues. As a result, it helps people to broaden their knowledge on numerous topics.
In contrast, social media has limitations for the users. One of them is that it is very disruptive when someone is handling other tasks. People are always tempted to open Facebook or Twitter pages when busy doing other things. This results in time wastage, and it also makes individuals less productive. The other problem that is associated with social media is online fraud. Some individuals take advantage of others and end up conning them of their hard-earned money (Popat & Tarrant, 2023). They create fake online competitions and cheat individuals that they have won. However, individuals are asked to send a certain amount before obtaining their awards. In the process, many individuals lose a substantial amount of money to online scammers. Another issue is cyberbullying, which is common among children. Most individuals with malicious intentions mainly target children on Facebook or Twitter. They bully children on the two platforms, and kids might end up being depressed. The situation might even become worse if the problem is not curbed.
Another impact of social media is that it leads to the spread of false information or news. There have been many occasions when false news has been spread via online sites. Many people believe the information only to realize it is false. Such actions are not desirable in a civilized society where individuals are expected to be honest with one another. The use of social media also creates fake connections. In this case, it hinders individuals from building meaningful relationships that can assist them (Dhiman, 2023). Some of these fake relationships can harm them since they can be scammed. Excessive use of social media can result in addiction. People can find them checking for notifications and commenting on the platform most often. As a result, they waste time that they could have used in other productive activities. Studies have indicated that excessive social media use leads to low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety among teenagers. The use of social media impacts the community positively and negatively. Nevertheless, the positive impacts of social media outweigh its demerits. For this reason, people should embrace social media in their lives.
Social media is one of the contentious topics that are broadly discussed across the globe. It is because some individuals feel that it is beneficial to humans. Nevertheless, some individuals think that social media is a curse to society. One of the benefits of social media is that it encourages global interactions. It also allows companies to advertise their merchandise. Individuals can also get news updates within a very short time. However, the use of social media has some shortcomings for the public. For instance, it encourages the spread of fake news and also leads to cyberbullying. The platform is very disruptive and addictive to the users. Some measures should be implemented to ensure social media is used well in the future. One of the approaches parents can use is monitoring how children use social media. This can significantly assist in reducing the cases of online cyberbullying. Individuals should also spare time for live social interactions. The strategy can reduce the time that individuals spend indoors. People should allocate reasonable time for social media. In this case, they should be disciplined while using social media. They can avoid the use of vulgar language and refrain from the acts of cyberbullying. The users of social media sites should also avoid spreading false information. Such actions are dangerous because they will mislead the users of social media platforms.
Al-Qaysi, N., Granić, A., Al-Emran, M., Ramayah, T., Garces, E., & Daim, T. U. (2023). Social media adoption in education: A systematic review of disciplines, applications, and influential factors. Technology in Society, 102249.
Dhiman, D. B. (2023). Ethical Issues and Challenges in Social Media: A Current Scenario. Available at SSRN 4406610.
Popat, A., & Tarrant, C. (2023). Exploring adolescents’ perspectives on social media and mental health and well-being–A qualitative literature review. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 28(1), 323-337.7