Table of Contents
The Good
It Has Eased Collaboration
Social media has helped draw millions of potential Internet users into becoming active participants. By popularizing the Internet, social networks have helped solidify the web’s original goal (i.e. increasing the website traffic, customers, and sales), which is the decentralization of information sharing. Users can easily connect in real-time irrespective of their location.
Connections can be made with several people simultaneously. It isn’t the case when you use traditional communication avenues such as phone calls. With social media, you can stay in touch with childhood friends and new people even without having met them in person.
A democratization of the Media
Social media gives you an equal voice with other users on whatever platform you are using. For instance, there is no gatekeeper to tell you what to publish through your social profile provided that your posts are within the platform’s terms of use.
You can write anything you want on social networks, and anyone else will have the opportunity to see it. Everyone has been given a medium through which he/she can be heard – unlike with traditional communication platforms.
It has Enhanced Transparency
Platforms such as Facebook have forced companies to become more accountable to their clients by adhering to ethical practices of business. It has enhanced the access that you have to a company and its staff. Since you can easily share both negative and positive insights about its services.
Thanks to social media, companies have been forced to be more attentive to their public image. Besides this, government organizations and officials have also been made accountable and transparent to the public in their dealings.
Improved Customer Insight
Needless to say, consumers’ preferences towards certain goods and services change regularly. If you run a business, social networks afford you an inexpensive platform through which you can gain insights into your customers’ preferences.
Social networking helps narrow the gap between your company and its clients. Through feedback given on social networks, you can easily tailor your products and services to suit what people are really looking for.
Real-Time Information Sharing
Social networks provide you with access to information in real-time. News content has been made more available. When it comes to the dissemination of information, the immediacy of platforms such as Facebook and Twitter is something that traditional media platforms would never have offered you.
Negative Effects of Social Media
Misinformation
Inasmuch as the dissemination of information has been eased, social networks are now being increasingly used to spread false information. You will find as much fake news as real news on social media since there are users who always seek ways of capitalizing on any media distribution platform to misinform the public. In addition, a large number of users on social platforms often believe whatever they read without first establishing the truth behind it.
Social Media is Addictive
Extensive studies have revealed that the use of social media is just as addictive as drug abuse. If you are a Facebook addict, for instance, the first thing that you are likely to do whenever you are free is to log into your account. This is not any different from an alcoholic who will use every opportunity to get a shot at his/her favorite drink.
Obviously, addiction to social networks can be problematic given that it causes depression. Social media addicts also exhibit certain withdrawal symptoms when denied access to the platforms. It is just the case with alcohol/drug addicts.
Cyberbullying
With the advancement of social media, cases of cyberbullying have increased dramatically. These networks facilitate cyberbullying since malicious users can hide behind the veil of their profile and attack others with careless abandon. The fact that you are not required to provide factual information when signing up. Most platforms have made it easy for cyber bullies to infiltrate networks. They, in turn, use pseudo-accounts to attack anyone who seems to be opposed to their viewpoints.
Diminished Well-Being
A recent study established that social media users aim at moment-to-moment happiness and satisfaction rather than their long-term well-being. In addition, social media has conjured up a false perception of isolation. Rather than helping you connect with your peers, these networks may actually be undermining your social life. So perhaps it is worth considering giving Facebook a short break. You can find out how to temporarily or permanently deactivate Facebook here.
Conclusion
Inasmuch as social media has positively impacted our lives, its side effects are scary and unfortunate. We have a platform through which we can understand the world that we live in in a better way, but still, we have paid a heavy price for it. The main question that should be lingering on your mind is how to use social networks for the betterment of your life.
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