The internet was a very different place just over 10 years ago. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were budding social media sites that few of us had heard about at the time. But now? These days, it’s pretty hard to go anywhere without seeing someone glued to their phone scrolling through an app or updating their feed with selfies from last night out on the town.
The idea for social networking started in 1983 when computer programmers wanted people all around the world who are interested in computers to be able to share information easily and cheaply by using digital technology like emailing programs, message boards (which became forums), chat rooms, newsgroups etcetera… And we can see how today as everyone practically has been accessing these platforms after having them available back then too – even though they were not as popular.
Social media platforms are an inescapable part of a global society, but they also come with consequences. The way people use social media can either make it helpful to them or harmful. There are pros and cons to social media – but which side of the spectrum we fall on can depend on what type of person we are.
Pros:
1) Connecting with other people, and sharing your life on a global scale.
With the ability to connect with anyone around the world at any time of day or night, it is easy to feel like you have friends all over the place who care about what’s going in your life as much as they would if you were in the same town. You can stay up to date with what’s happening in the world and if something happens to a friend or family member, you’ll know.
2) Social media is your personal online journal.
The best thing about social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is that you can share anything with the world for an extended period of time without being censored by what’s in print or on TV! You get to express yourself better than any other form of communication we’ve ever had before, where it would be hard to do so.
3) Social media can be a great networking tool.
Social media is a fantastic networking tool.
You have the potential to connect with people from all over and make connections that might not otherwise happen in real life, which can lead to collaborations or even jobs!
4) You have instant access to a never-ending supply of knowledge that is only limited by what’s available on the internet.
You can find out anything with just one search; whether it be for research purposes or because something catches your eye while scrolling through the Facebook feed – there are no limits! So go ahead and take advantage of this resource as much as possible: learn new things, meet people from different cultures all over the globe, expand your horizons now, so they don’t close up later when life becomes hectic, and you don’t have time for yourself.
5) Speeds up communication.
Texting is a great way to communicate because it speeds up the process, and you don’t have to worry about not being able to speak freely. Texts can be sent in secret, so people who live under oppressive regimes know what’s going on without fear of reprisal from those authorities. With social media as an ever-present communication resource with texting capabilities, there’s no need for snail mail or fax machines; international phone calls are less common thanks to this technology too!
6) Social media can promote business.
In order to stay up-to-date with your customers, it is important that you have a presence on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. These are great ways for people to see what’s going on in the company they work for or follow brands they want to support. Social media platforms also allow businesses to interact with customers in a way that can be helpful, fun, or informative.
7) Allows for more job opportunities.
With social media, you can find out about jobs that are available and apply to them all without ever having to leave your desk!
8) Gives a voice to people who don’t have one.
Social media provides many groups of marginalized people with an outlet to voice opinions and have representation that they often do not find in mainstream society. For example, women are able to utilize the internet as a tool for activism by creating hashtags like #metoo.
It has become more than just a way for us all to connect on social connections such as Facebook or Instagram; it is now also being used primarily as a platform where users can share their thoughts publicly without fear of reprisals from those who may disagree with them politically or culturally. This opportunity allows individuals belonging to minority ethnicities, sexual orientations, and genders among others – including disabled persons- whose voices are not always heard due indirectly because these communities face discrimination when trying to publicly speak, can have a voice.
9) Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing is a type of innovation, which occurs when an individual or organization uses the power of social media to tap into a collective group intelligence, where users’ ideas and knowledge are pooled together to create one solution. This can be helpful to companies and organizations who are trying to find solutions for their problems.
10) Helps to remove the idea of a “lone genius.”
In many fields, it is nearly impossible for one person to know everything that they need in order to create something. This is why projects are often worked on by teams or organizations – because no individual can do it on their own. It’s been proven time and time again that crowdsourcing is a great way to come up with ideas and solutions.
11) It’s always there, even when you’re not on it.
One of the pros of social media is that once you’ve signed up for an account- which takes less than five minutes – your reach will be unlimited! You can post something, and it will be seen by hundreds of people, even when you’re not online.
12) It’s free!
Most social media networks are free to use, which means that they do not require any monthly or yearly membership fees like some other sites (like LinkedIn). You can sign up for an account with Facebook in just a few minutes and be up and running in no time.
Cons
1) It can expose underage users to adult content.
Some social media sites have restrictions on their networks, but many of them do not, and it’s easy for a minor to enter an incorrect date of birth during registration, so they will be accepted as being old enough to use the site. This is why there are pros that require users to always be truthful about their age.
2) It can be addictive.
It’s easy for people to get addicted to social media because they’re constantly checking their feeds, seeing what others are doing, or making themselves seem perfect, which leads many users to become depressed when comparing themselves to these seemingly flawless accounts that don’t really exist.
3) It can be a waste of time.
Social media is an easy way to connect with others, but it’s also just as easy for people who are not utilizing their time wisely by spending hours scrolling through posts and pictures that have little or no relevance to their life.
4) It can cause cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying has become more common on social media, and because most social media pros are not monitored by anyone except the user themselves, this type of bullying can go unchecked for days or weeks before it is finally discovered.
5) It can lead to “fear of missing out.”
Fear of missing out – or FOMO – is when someone feels obligated to stay connected at all times, so they don’t miss anything that’s happening, but this means it prevents them from having any time for themselves. It’s important not to let social media consume your life – and to set boundaries for oneself in order to avoid this.
6) Privacy issues
Privacy issues have become more common with every new generation that comes along. The idea of what privacy means has changed so much over just the past decade that in some ways, the pros and cons of social media are a moot point.
7) Fraud and scamming
Unfortunately, social media can be a place where people are scammed because it’s easy for someone to display what they want without any concern for the truth. This is why pros should always include honest reviews or feedback when posting on these platforms.
8) Causes mental fatigue
The pros and cons of social media are easier to assess for people who have been using these networks for a long period of time. For those who haven’t, it can be difficult to understand the true effects that this type of activity has on our brains because they’re less likely to experience “mental fatigue.”
9) False information
False information is a big problem that can occur on social media, mostly because pros are not monitored by anyone other than the user themselves.
10) It could be a distraction from real life.
Online social media can be a distraction from the real world. More often than not, it provides an escape for people to avoid dealing with their own lives and responsibilities. For some of these “lucky” individuals, this means never having to find out what happens when they get caught up in work projects or more mundane things like chores around the house because they’re too busy scrolling through Instagram videos on their phones all day long instead!
Social media platforms offer an array of benefits for both individuals and businesses. However, they also come with a dark side that can do more harm than good to the user if not monitored properly. It all boils down to how each individual or business uses it in their everyday life; whether it be constructive or destructive is up to them alone!