Last Updated on November 25, 2022
We connect, transact business, get our daily news feed, and so much more thanks to social networking. Social media was just getting started a little nearly a decade ago. We can no longer live without it. Isn’t it crazy?
Every disruptive innovation follows a similar path. Consider automobiles, electricity, or telephones. For centuries, people managed to live in one way until technology hit the market to provide a convenience that gradually became a must. And these kinds of leaps happen all the time. We evolve technologically in the same way that we evolve genetically, albeit in an unusual fashion.
The introduction of social media is one of the most recent disturbances. It has swept the globe and its people by storm. You would be considered weird and even suspicious if you aren’t on any of the social media platforms today. “What’s wrong with him/her?” would most likely be the question in people’s heads when they find out.
As a result, participation on various social media sites is no longer a choice, but a requirement. If you avoid them, you will miss out on many of their benefits. But does social media provide benefits only? Not in the least! These platforms also have a dark side that can harm you in a variety of ways.
For a young teen, a site like Facebook could be an opportune launching pad for a new enterprise, or it could be an unavoidable source of emotional peer pressure. Everything in life has advantages and disadvantages, and our social networking activities are no exception.
Merits of Social Media
Social networking has a lot of advantages. When you go to your favourite social media sites, think about how you can get the most out of the following.
Connectivity
The first and most important benefit of social media is its ability to connect people. People from all over the world can communicate with each other at any time without limitation as long as they have data connection. The beauty of social media is that it allows you to connect with anyone to learn, share ideas, and build relationships.
You can keep in touch with old high school classmates who have moved all over the country on Instagram, start a WhatsApp video conversation with relatives halfway around the world on WhatsApp, or meet new people on Twitter from places or regions you’ve never heard of.
Easy and Instant Communication
Now that we’re always connected, we can connect with anyone, anywhere on the planet, by simply pressing a few buttons. We no longer need to rely on landlines, answering machines, or snail mail to communicate with others. We can just open our laptops or take out our smartphones and begin interacting with anyone on any of the social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook messanger, WhatsApp or any of the many social messaging apps accessible.
Support for your talent and craft
A social media site is a location where you can show off your skills and find the perfect audience to help you succeed. You can obtain the critiques you need to improve as well as the much-needed support you need in a group setting.
The major social media platforms help a whole lot in this aspect. You can share pictures and videos of your business, talent, hobby, and so on, to your audience and get feedback from them.
Some niche social platforms cater to specific talents. For example, on Behance, graphic designers, UI/UX designers, product designers and so on can post their designs to show off their skills and get recognized and appreciated for it. On Medium, writers can show off their writing skills by post blogs, articles and stories for their fans. Twitch is for gamers, Stack overflow is for coders and there are so many more.
These social media platforms not only display talent but serve as a source of inspiration. For example, a designer can get ideas for a new design by scrolling through Behance.
General Fun and Enjoyment
You have to acknowledge that, when used responsibly, social networking can be a lot of fun and amusement. Many people use it when they need a break from work or just want to unwind at home. For me, TikTok is my go-to when I need a laugh. People are naturally sociable beings, so seeing comments and likes on our own postings can be very pleasant, and it’s also easy to be able to see what our friends are up to without having to ask them directly.
Demerits of Social Media
It’s no secret that social networking has a negative side. You might wish to consider how you might limit the following disadvantages of social networking as much as possible.
Cyberbullying
Many people, particularly children, have been victims of cyberbullying in recent years, as it is now quite easy to create phony identities and profiles and threaten the other person.
Many suicides, depressive disorders, and other issues have occurred from cyberbullying. People have begun to utilize social media as a platform to distribute false information and rumors, resulting in an unhealthy society. The most serious threat is cyberstalking. You should never accept friend requests from strangers on social networking platforms and should never disclose personal information with them.
Distraction and Procrastination
You have the want to check your phone for notifications and messages whenever you wake up or go to sleep. Social media has generated diversions in the sense that it has hampered our ability to work and manage our time. We’re basically squandering our time.
Everyone is preoccupied with gaining the greatest number of Facebook or Instagram followers, leaving their ability and strength to achieve something in life behind.
Instead of conducting vital work, people are conversing less and texting more. They overlook the value of everyday enjoyment, refreshment, and peace of mind; students fail to submit assignments on time; and family members fail to communicate with one another despite living in the same house. It can be such a mess.
Triggers insecurities
You’ll see photographs of folks who appear to be having the time of their lives if you look through any social media platforms. Posts about their vacations, great grades, workout routines and other accomplishments, and recent purchases can be found. You have the impression that your existence is insignificant in comparison to theirs.
Some people have lost all sense of self worth and self confidence simply because they came across a post of someone richer, thinner, thicker, more muscular, more popular or more outgoing.
Social media use has been linked to feelings of insecurity and discomfort. Young people are particularly vulnerable, as they are under pressure to “make things happen” in their lives and keep up with their friends.
Privacy issues
We are frequently cautioned to use caution when publishing personal information on social media. Oversharing can jeopardize our privacy.
However, no matter how careful you are with your own account’s personal privacy settings, you can’t always control what your pals share online. You’ll be tagged in images and postings about their personal lives more frequently, whether you agree or not.
You have no say in how your personal data is stored or used. Even a status update or a photo you share might sometimes reach an unwanted audience. You have no idea how people think about you, even among your following and friends.
Conclusion
The benefits and drawbacks of social networking are undeniable. It is entirely up to the users to make intelligent and active use of it. It is up to you to consider and determine whether social media is beneficial or harmful to you. Also, if you feel that social media is invading your personal space, I recommend taking a break from it. After all, when you use something effectively, it doesn’t interfere with your work or your life; instead, it adds value to it by creating a creative, healthy environment and instilling happiness.
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