In the last few decades, the use of social media has taken over peoples’ lives. In fact, it is hard to believe that several years ago there was no Facebook or Twitter. It is worth mentioning that three decades ago, cell phones were only available to the wealthy members of society and the commoners only waited to hear from each other through telegraphs, letters, and other outdated methods. Today, social media sites such as MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn as well as virtual world’s such as Second Life, Sims, Club Penguin, and video sites such as YouTube and blogs offer over 85% of the world’s population with a broad base of social media access.
Negative Impacts of Social Media
In the last five years, the number of teens using social media has increased drastically, and it is critical that parents know its true nature. According to recent research, more than 22% of teenagers log into their favorite social site more than ten times a day while 54% use their cell phones for texting. Most adults and religious bodies complain about the use of social media and truth be told, it can lead to harmful behavior such as cyberbullying, pornography, sex-texting, the intrusion of privacy, clique-forming, internet addiction, and sleep deprivation (Bannink, Rienke, & Suzanne, 2014). Such behavior can be controlled through close supervision by parents and guardians. Furthermore, individuals can bring up children with solid religious beliefs, which will help them to be morally upright. By so doing, the society shall not have to forego the great benefits that come with the use of social media. In this aspect, the use of social media is not entirely evil as many people would like to believe.
Secondly, due to the ease of information access across the globe, social media has corrupted and eroded cultures as everyone is trying to copy someone or something from various sites. In this regard, this platform is robbing people the trust and comfort they feel for each other. In fact, individual’s emotional connection, human fellowship, and physical support have been replaced with a virtual connection. Excessive use of social media has denied many people the opportunity to think independently, exercise their will because it makes individuals gullible to join sites that post unhelpful and perverse messages, which amuse people without giving it a second thought. It is not a wonder that most people would prefer texting or give a call to their family and friends rather than a face to face meeting (Brockman, 2011). Primarily, this should worry parents since they are raising the most antisocial generation that has taken every step in conveying information rather than promoting humanity.
Lastly, social media had become a platform for many illegal and deadly acts such as terrorism and selling of illegal and smuggled drugs. Also, the platform has made it easy for terrorists to connect, get new recruits, and raise funds (Weimann, 2008). For example, in 2012, Mr. Tarsnaeve, an 18-year-old, expressed himself as an active Muslim who had been radicalized back in Russia although he lived in the United States. A year later, he planted two pressure cooker bombs during the 2013 Boston Marathon, which killed three people and injured 264 individuals. Smugglers and drug abusers find each other through various sites and sell or buy drugs online without leaving a trace. It is, therefore, important that the government starts to supervise various social media sites critically.
Positive Impacts of Social Media
A famous Chinese saying points out that everything that has its yin has its yang (positives and negatives). Early research carried out across 18 television channels shows that after children are exposed to television programs such as Sesame and Mister Rogers, they develope positive attitudes such as sharing, cooperation, sympathy, praise for other people, physical affection, and acceptance. Such attitudes are fundamental in building a cohesive, stable and peaceful community, which work together to achieve common goals. Notably, most third world countries do not co-exist peacefully as there are constant political wars due to tribal conflicts. If such television programs were exposed to these adults who are so quick to take ammunition into their hands and also utter words against each other, such cases would be reduced as they would learn to tolerate their cultural differences. Therefore, it is important for governments, well-wishers, institutions, parents, and guardians to expose their citizens, children and young adults to such videos and spread the ideas through Facebook, Twitter, among other sites so that they can learn these important attitudes.
Additionally, social media has been used to fete various political leaders through the messages they post on their blogs. It has also enabled citizens across the world to share ideas and information concerning efficient and the infective leaders. In this vein, the use of social media had enhanced peace talks through sharing of messages that increase harmony and cohesion. It has made it easy for citizens to access information about their government. Primarily, this has made it easy for citizens to take part in nation building and criticize the government when it fails to put its best foot forward towards development.
Social media has also been a useful tool in educating the masses about various issues such as effects of drug abuse, healthy living through balanced diets, crises management such as disease outbreaks and disease control, risky behavior during dating, and sex education. Many people have been known to be so dependent on Social networks such as television programs, Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace when they are in a dilemma on what paths to follow. Many are the times when young adults will post something on Facebook about an issue that has been troubling them such as raising children, family conflicts, dating problems, or sexual problems so that they can get advice and opinions on the same (O'Keeffe, & Clarke-Pearson, 2011). Such young adults get to know that they are not alone as someone else may have undergone a similar advice and they overcame the situations. In the process, they make friendships with such people who help them see the world in a positive way. In this regard, it is important for parents, guardians, NGOs, and psychologists to be active in the social media arena through blogs and other sites so that they can offer young adults the help they need.
Social networks have also significantly improved business through various links. Traditional mediums of marketing goods and services such as television, Radios, and print are outdated and costly. Today, the world has access to a fast and efficient way of connecting with interested clients (Hudson & Thal, 2013). Primarily, this has helped to improve the world economy as it is easy to get the best goods and services that one needs.
References
Bannink W., Rienke B., Suzanne V. (2014). Cyber and traditional bullying victimization as a risk factor for mental health problems and suicidal ideation in adolescents. PLoSONE. vol. 9 issue 4, p1-7. 7p. http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.libproxy.scu.edu/ehost/detail/
Brockman, J. (2011). Is the internet changing the way you think?; The net's impact on our minds and future. New York, Harper Perennial, 2011. 451.
Hudson, S., & Thal, K. (2013). The impact of social media on the consumer decision process: Implications for tourism marketing. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 30(1-2), 156-160.
O'Keeffe, G. S., & Clarke-Pearson, K. (2011). The impact of social media on children, adolescents, and families. Pediatrics, 127(4), 800-804.
Weimann, G. (2008). The psychology of mass-mediated terrorism. American Behavioral Scientist, vol. 52 Issue 1, p69-86. http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.libproxy.scu.edu/ehost/detail/
