Advantages and Disadvantages of the Prevalent Use of Social Media: Conflicting Views
Introduction
Social media continues to be an integral part of contemporary society, with over 4.74 billion people worldwide using various online platforms and applications for communication, information sharing, and creative expression (Mang, 2022). The prevalent use of social media continues to generate a controversial issue as both advantages and disadvantages accompany it. This essay explores conflicting views on social media’s benefits and drawbacks, supported by evidence from academic sources. The essay will first provide a brief background on social media, outline the different positions, and maintain an objective stance.
Advantages
Social media has become a powerful tool for maintaining relationships and fostering connections, as highlighted by Mang (2022). Social media’s capacity to eliminate distance barriers and improve contact among friends and family members is among its many important advantages. Sites like Facebook and Instagram give users a quick and easy way to share status updates, pictures, and videos with their friends and family, no matter where they are.
According to Sellgren (2018), this has altered how individuals interact and is especially important in the modern, digitally linked world. Social media enables users to maintain friendships and relationships, even across long distances, by providing a virtual space for sharing and staying updated on each other’s lives. It has become a valuable tool for fostering social connections and strengthening relationships with family and friends, enhancing the overall sense of connectedness in today’s fast-paced world (Mang, 2022).
Social media has emerged as a valuable tool for facilitating learning and creativity, as highlighted by M.L. Single and Apoory Durga (2015). One of social media’s main benefits is its capacity to give users access to a plethora of knowledge on various topics, enabling them to learn and pick up new skills. Sites like YouTube and TikTok offer instructional content and courses, ranging from DIY projects to practical knowledge like cooking, allowing users to improve their educational experiences.
Moreover, social media has evolved into a platform for creative expression, allowing users to share their music, writing, and artwork with a larger audience and encouraging originality and creativity. This has created new opportunities for showing and exchanging artistic abilities, developing a culture of creativity, and encouraging people to express themselves via various mediums (M.L. Single & Apoory Durga, 2015).
Disadvantages
Social media has its advantages, but it also has disadvantages, one of which is the possibility of online bullying or violence. Due to social media’s anonymity and accessibility, cyberbullying has increased in frequency and has a central power on people’s mental health and general well-being (Sellgren, 2018). Cyberbullying may take many different forms, including harassment, threats, and the dissemination of harmful material, harming the victims emotionally and psychologically (Sellgren, 2018). Also, the transmission of erroneous data, hate speech, and bad behaviours can be accelerated by the viral nature of social media, creating turmoil and tension in society (Mang, 2022).
The possibility of data breaches and loss of privacy are two additional drawbacks of social networking. Social networking sites gather considerable information about users, particularly their profiles and browsing histories, including locations, that may be used for targeted advertising or even data breaches (M.L. Single & Apoory Durga, 2015). Information about a person may be exposed due to data breaches, resulting in identity theft, financial fraud, and other cybercrimes (M.L. Single & Apoory Durga, 2015). Moreover, because social media platforms frequently update their security settings, users are exposed to the accidental disclosure of their personal information, jeopardizing their security and privacy (Sellgren, 2018).
Conclusion
In conclusion, social media presents advantages and disadvantages, and conflicting views exist on its prevalent use. Social media may allow individuals to develop and mutually trust alive while also fostering imagination and intellectual curiosity. Digital networks do, however, come with certain disadvantages, such as the potential for cyberbullying and violence and privacy issues and violations. Notwithstanding its benefits, social media has more drawbacks than positives because of its detrimental effects on security, confidentiality, and psychological well-being.
References
Jain, S., & Jain, R. (2023). Top 10 Advantages and Disadvantages of social media in 2023. Digital Scholar. Retrieved from https://digital-scholar.in/pros-and-cons-of-social-media/
Sellgren, K. (2018). M.P.s investigate the impact of social media and screens on youth. BBC NEWS. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/education-43130325
Single, M.L., & Durga, A. (2015). How social media gives you a competitive advantage. Indian Journal of Science and Technology. , 3(5), 4312-4316. Retrieved from https://sciresol.s3.us-cast-2.amazonans.com/IJST/Articles/2015/Issue-aup%20lentary-4/Article17.pdf
Zhang, A. (2022). Schools determined to keep social media out of the classroom are not doing students any favors. South China Morning Post. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3193828/schools-determined-keep-social-media-out-classroom-are-not-doing?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article&campaign=3193828
Advantages and Disadvantages of Legalization of Same-Sex Marriages
Same-sex marriages have become the norm in modern society, defying the traditional concept of marriage, which requires a man and a woman to come together in union. Although the subject has been controversial for years, with some people arguing the ideas ethically, most countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Taiwan, have legalized same-sex marriages (Lee & Lin, 2022). Even though the government provides limited protection, same-sex marriages are not legally recognized in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The ongoing controversies and debates surrounding the subject force one to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of same-sex marriages, a topic that will be covered in this paper.
Advantages
Same-sex marriages have given people equal rights and protection in society. Traditionally, same-sex marriages were frowned upon and cursed. A couple discovered that having same-sex relations was not only harshly condemned, but they were also hunted and killed in some areas. Every person has the right to marry, and giving privileges to some groups while rejecting same-sex relationships is increasingly seen as discrimination by most governments that vow to protect the rights of all citizens (Cao et al., 2017). To address the issue of fear and discrimination, same-sex marriage legalization enabled most people to live their normal lives bravely. Today, same-sex couples can access various rights, including property ownership, parenting, and tax exemption.
Same-sex marriages help to combat the stigmatization facing homosexual couples. The government’s approval of same-sex marriages meant their marriages and existence were legal and acceptable. No homosexual couple could be stigmatized or discriminated against in society, school, work, or other settings. Same-sex marriage provided equal rights and opportunities in all work areas, politics, and family formation. While traditional couples of the same sex were permitted to have children, the legalization of same-sex marriages provided homosexual couples with the same opportunity to start a family through adoption and surrogacy (Lee & Lin, 2022). Students who came out as gay in school and children from the same marriage couples were bullied and denied access to school resources (Iraklis, 2021). However, such discriminatory practices in society were eliminated by legalizing same-sex marriage.
Disadvantages
Although some governments have legalized same-sex marriages, most people do not accept the acts and continue to condemn such people and governments for their decision openly. Most homosexual couples face travel, residence, and worship restrictions. Most gay men and lesbians’ dreams of traveling and working anywhere in the world have been dashed because most countries have yet to accept homosexuality. In most legalized countries, same-sex couples are concentrated in cities because they do not fear the wrath of people in rural areas where homosexuality is still considered taboo (Wimark & Fortes De Lena, 2022). Most countries have yet to accept same-sex marriages, and many have been forced to flee their homes. The constant harassment and acceptance by society and family are emotionally taxing, and most same-sex couples report increased cases of stress (Cao et al., 2017).
Although homosexuality is accepted in some countries, children raised by same-sex couples have increasingly reported cases of discrimination by teachers and students. Most children are innocents who do not choose where they are born or raised; however, innocent children from same-sex marriages are frequently bullied because of their parent’s sexual orientation, putting them through unnecessary mental stress. According to Iraklis (2021), most teachers in the Netherlands dislike associating with same-sex couples in various events. This dislike is often transferred to their children as teachers show less concern for these children in school.
Conclusion
Same-sex marriages are not new, but society remains opposed as most people regard the homosexual community as evil. However, everyone has the right to live, and the harsh cruelty unfairly singled out to this group has prompted a few governments to legalize same-sex marriages in order to protect couples from any form of discrimination and to provide them with a plethora of opportunities. However, the legalization is slow, and most people have yet to accept the legalization. While the couple lives in fear, their children have also received equal hatred for their parents’ same-sex marriage status, exposing them to many vulnerabilities.
References
Cao, H., Zhou, N., Fine, M., Liang, Y., Li, J., & Mills‐Koonce, W. R. (2017). Sexual minority stress and same‐sex relationship well‐being: A meta‐analysis of research prior to the US Nationwide legalization of same‐sex marriage. Journal of Marriage and Family, 79(5), 1258–1277. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28989184/
Iraklis, G. (2021). Subtle forms of prejudice in Greek day-care centers. Early childhood educators’ attitudes towards same-sex marriage and children’s adjustment in same-sex families. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 18(5), 711–730.
Lee, I. C., & Lin, W. F. (2022). Us versus them: The debates on the legislation of same-sex marriage (1994–2015) in Taiwan. Journal of Homosexuality, 69(4), 655–676. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33269991/
Wimark, T., & Fortes De Lena, F. (2022). Same‐sex marriage and neighbourhood landscape overlap—A revised understanding of the spatial distribution of gay men and lesbians. Population, Space and Place, 28(2), e2507. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1585828/FULLTEXT01.pdf