Today almost everyone with access to a smartphone has at least one social media account. It has become a place where people get all the information from knowing what his friends, relatives are doing, getting news, see an advertisement, watch videos, play games, etc. You have social media for everything nowadays like Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. And each has its own following.
Social media has made everyone connected anytime and anywhere. It has facilitated the sharing of information, ideas in the form of photos, videos, text, and sound almost instantly. It has helped in raising issues of various problems and discrimination faced by society, has become a voice for the voiceless, given a chance to be recognized by a larger audience if they have some talent, exposed corruption, bad deeds, and aristocracies of government, organization, etc. It can also be used to expand a business, find jobs, connect with people experts in their field.
Though it has also made people spend less time in the real world and spend more time on such platforms. There is also an increase in cyberbullying which can affect the mental health of the victim. Vulnerable children on such platforms are also targeted by pedophiles. It has also given rise to various scams. There is also a rise in the constant need for attention in real life due to getting so much attention on social media. There is also a rise in fake news which can spread like wildfire which may affect somebody's lives. One wrong statement by celebrated people with thousand of followers on such platforms can destroy careers in the blink of an eye. Many private images and videos have also been shared to get revenge on such platforms and some have gone viral as well. It has also become an endless habit to browse social media endlessly and do nothing productive.
Social media has its advantages and disadvantages. We need to take control of its use not let it control our lives. Children should be taught how to use and what to share on such platforms. We should learn to keep a balance with our lives and social media lives.