There are 7.8 billion people around the world, and I bet majority of the said population has one or more than two social media accounts. Social media refers to any digital platforms or tools that allows its users to create and share contents to the public. Social media consist of numerous websites as well as apps. To name some of them are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok and YouTube.
Whether we agree or not, social media became a vital part of every person's daily lives. I even thought that social media had became a physiological need from Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Since almost all of the people I knew cannot live a day without using their social media accounts. That they even think of it as important as water, food, clothing and shelter. I even knew someone who literally cannot stand a day without posting her pictures, stories and videos daily on her social media account.
Truth be told, no matter how amazing social media might seem. We cannot deny the fact that just like a coin it has two sides. The positive side and the negative side. By now I will be sharing to you some of its positive and negative effects towards the people who uses it.
The Positive effects of Social Media
1. It connects people
Through social media the world became smaller. Despite of the distance being a huge hindrance towards families and friends being together. For as long as they have a social media account it seems like the people they are reaching and talking to is just an inch away from them.
2. It brings entertainment
Since social media let's its users to create and share pictures, textual contents and videos. Therefore you can look up to for any contents and concepts that would suit your taste. May it be funny cat and dog videos, make-up tutorials, song covers and anything under the sun.
3. It brings profits.
By now social media is used as a buy and sell platform. I even knew some people who uses their social media accounts as a virtual store where their costumers can look up to for products that would suit their preference and their budget as well. I myself does both selling and buying goods. Since I find it convenient for I no longer need to go and stroll around the market to buy. Which is a perk, since we are still facing a pandemic and we need to be cautious and abide strictly with the safety health protocols.
4. It unleashes the talented and artistic side of us.
Through social media people are inspired to do things. Such as doing a dance and song cover even if they aren't good at it. For they are encouraged by the people who do those stuffs and gains attention and fondness towards the netizens. Moreover you can look up to for DIY tutorials that can teach you how to make things you never have imagined that you can do.
5. It became a platform for the teaching and learnings process.
As a student, I uses my social media accounts to reach my classmates and teacher to discuss lessons as well as submit activities, projects and
assignments. Moreover I even look up to for articles and videos online that would aid me towards an efficient learning in the so called new normal.
6. It updates us.
Just like what I had mentioned, since almost all the people has social media accounts and they often use it on a regular daily basis. Therefore news articles and live news broadcast are being posted online. Thus eve if you are not fond of watching television or reading newspaper, at least through your social media you can still be updated towards the current happenings in your surrounding.
The Negative effects of Social Media
1. We are prone to deception
Since manipulating, falsifying information and editing contents on social media is easy. therefore users are prone towards deception that is being spread by trolls, dummy accounts, fake news and etc.
2. Our health is at risk
Frequent use of social media can have a bad effect especially to our physical health and well-being. For it could possibly cause individuals to disrupt their sleep pattern and skip their meals. Moreover studies shows that social media has a strong link towards depression, anxiety, loneliness and self-harm.
3. It can start fights
Misunderstanding caused by the improper usage of social media could led to quarrels that might harm the people involved either physically, mentally or emotionally.
4. Our personal identity is at risk.
Sharing too much personal information about yourself on your social media accounts might put you at risk. Such as others might use your personal information to do crime related activities such as identity theft, catfishing and fraud.
5. It can be distracting.
For example, when you are suppose to be studying but you often open and check your social media account from time to time. It will lead to a decrease on your Instructional overall function.
6. It can cause insecurities and discouragment.
People who often compares themselves towards other people on social media has a great chance of developing insecurities. Thus will lead to discouragments.
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These are just some of the positive and negative effects that social media can bring to us. Therefore we should always be mindful of our activities and behaviour in the virtual world that social media had created. For the reason that we can utilise well the advantages while avoiding the disadvantages it can bring to us.
✒️ thegirlwholeaptthroughtime || 121320
yes true