Social media collectively refers to various technologies that enable users to share ideas and information. A large number of people around the world use social media daily. It is a medium that gives us the ability to communicate with others and learn about current affairs, news, etc. This essay will discuss how social media works, its positives and negatives, and the ways we should navigate it. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others are some examples of social media. One thing common in all social media is that these require an internet connection. It has so much impact on everyday people.
Social media is free to use, but they need resources to run properly. These sites earn revenue mainly by showing advertisements on their platforms. The goal of these social media companies is to make us keep using their websites. It is designed in a way that it is easy and entertaining to use. Most social media sites use data science and complex algorithms. Every single interaction on the website is recorded, and the data is used to create a profile that is uniquely ours. Thus, it uses our interests to keep us hooked on their sites. Posts that get the most amounts of likes or reactions get higher up the newsfeed. Those posts get more views. The general public begins chatting about them. And that’s how something goes viral. Some social media companies may also sell their users’ data to a third party in order to earn more. They give themselves grants to do this with the help of their terms of use.
Social media helps in productive ways in a lot of sectors. Education, healthcare, marketing, fashion, entertainment, and many other sectors rely on this platform. Social media is a great medium for those who want to build relationships virtually. We can meet new people and make friends from all walks of life. Social media is intended to bring people closer to each other. It has drastically changed the way we attain knowledge. A lot of study materials, courses, and tutorials are on social media websites. Through these websites, our knowledge has the chance to increase on a plethora of topics. We can learn about history, facts, tradition, experiences, etc. These platforms can help create business opportunities and spark creativity. Social media has a sense of transparency. Everything is attainable and accessible with ease. It promotes freedom of expression. We can hear everyone’s arguments and their point of view. Individuals get the chance to express themselves freely. Social media is a platform where people can create awareness and start movements. Social movements like Me Too and Black Lives Matter created huge effects around the globe.
However, social media has some negative impacts as well. The purpose of social media is to create connections through the internet. But unfortunately, it is making the youth distant and insecure. They don’t go outside in the real world and socialize. This can hamper them in the long run. Doomscrolling (the act of using social media for an excessive amount of time) for hours and hours has become a concern. Users’ screen time has increased dramatically due to its addictive nature. This can shorten the attention span for several individuals. Social media can also create a distorted sense of reality for many because it shows a perfectly portrayed image. It promotes unattainable beauty standards. So, young teens feel introverted and lack confidence. Some strive for the gratification and attention of others. This may lead them to do harmful acts. Malicious individuals utilize social media for doing harmful activities. They do cyberbullying or harassment. Compared to other generations, Gen Z and millennials are more likely to view news on social media. There is always a risk of spreading false news. Many cannot identify deceiving images made using AI. While browsing online, some users don’t fact-check the information and they believe the source without doing so. Social media has immense power over society. It has the capability to influence the public. The Cambridge Analytica scandal proves that social media can be manipulated to change public opinion.
With all that being said, there are certain paths and cautions we have to take while navigating any social media website. Like many other things, social media also has both good and bad aspects. We can be productive by focusing on the positive side and avoiding the flawed side. Sharing personal information on social media is not a good idea. This can create blowback in the future. In modern times, data safety and privacy are essential. We have to be aware of fraudulent schemes. Crypto scams, fake product listings, illegal lotteries, fishing scams, and others are very prevalent on these websites. Many gullible people fall for these trickeries. Accelerating violence, hate, racism, and misogyny on social media needs to be condemned. Being constantly online is deteriorating our mental health. So, we need to limit our social media usage. Finding proper research and trustworthy sources is crucial. We should not believe everything online at face value. Spreading misinformation causes anxiety and panic in society.
From the discussions above, we can say with certainty that social media is a remarkable medium if used properly with caution. It significantly affects our lives. Through social media, we share culture, experience, knowledge, history, so on and so forth. It is free and accessible to all. It gets so much attention because a large number of people use it every day. This can be a matter of concern if someone uses it for any ill intention. Lies spread faster than truth. A blind society can be a burden for a nation. We should do our own research before coming up with a conclusion. Data security is indispensable. The companies have to be transparent about what they do with the user data. They must be held accountable if they cannot protect the users’ privacy. Lastly, avoiding hate speech is vital. Conversations should be peaceful and empathetic. In my opinion, making genuine connections and having rational discussions would be the best use of social media.
By: Sheikh Tahsin Zaman
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