Social Media: makes life better or bitter?

“Focus on how to be social. Not how to do social”

Jay Baer, Convince & Convert

On our modern days of our society, almost everyone feel connected to one another. Connected as in we tend to enjoy, talk and have some wonderful memories with out loved ones and friends by just the means of what we call “Social Media.” This involves Facebook, Twitter, tumblr, Youtube, Instagram and many more others out there that let us feel connected to everyone wherever we are.

However, benefits comes with the price to pay it as well. Everything that have advantages will, and for certainly, have disadvantages related to it. It is a fact that Social Media made our lives easier. Easier than the times when the Cold War started. Easier than the times when scientists like Isaac Newton started to become popular. Easier than the times when boats of Christopher Columbus paved way to the discovery of America. Easier than the times when the Roman Empire risen and fallen. And Easier than the times when we first started to learn how to make a fire with stone and sticks.

The “Better” side of Social Media to our Life.

On the title “Social Media: Makes Life Better or Bitter?”, indeed, both can be said. However, let us go to the “better” side for now.

1. Connectivity.

The first and main advantage of the social media is connectivity. People from anywhere can connect with anyone. Regardless of the location and religion. The beauty of social media is that you can connect with anyone to learn and share your thoughts.

2. Education.

Social media has a lot of benefits for students and teachers. It is very easy to educate from others who are experts and professionals via the social media. You can follow anyone to learn from him/her and enhance your knowledge about any field. Regardless of your location and education background you can educate yourself, without paying for it. Sites like Google Classroom and Edmodo are examples of Social Media being in touch to students with education.

3. Information and Updates.

The main advantage of the social media is that you update yourself from the latest happenings around in the world. Most of the time, Television and print media these days are biased and does not convey the true message. With the help of social media you can get the facts and true information by doing some research.

4. Awareness.

Social media also create awareness and innovate the way people live. It is the social media which has helped people discover new and innovative stuffs that can enhance personal lives. From farmers to teachers, students to lawyers every individual of the society can benefit from the social media and its awareness factor.

5. Helps in Building Communities.

Since our world has different religions and beliefs. Social media helps in building and participating in the community of own religion and believes to discuss and learn about it. Similarly, people of different communities can connect to discuss and share related stuffs. For example Game lover can join games related communities, car lover can join communities related to cars and so on.                                                                                                                                                          

The “Bitter” side of Social Media to our Life.

With the growth of Social Media, it made our lives easier. However, as it goes on being easy, somethings are lurking on the background of it. There will always be hidden things, crimes or anything that is bad deep inside the internet which goes to Social Media. In fact, we have seen victims of it already on news or TV. But we also have to think that we are already victims of Social Media if we are “enslaved” to it. Let us go now to the “bitter” side of Social Media.

1. Cyberbullying.

Most of the children have become victims of the cyberbulling over the past. Since anyone can create a fake account and do anything without being traced, it has become quite easy for anyone to bully on the Internet. Threats, intimidation messages and rumors can be sent to the masses to create discomfort and chaos in the society.

2. Hacking.

Personal data and privacy can easily be hacked and shared on the Internet. Which can make financial losses and loss to personal life. Similarly, identity theft is another issue that can give financial losses to anyone by hacking their personal accounts. Several personal Twitter and Facebook accounts have been hacked in the past and the hacker had posted materials that have affected the individuals personal lives. This is one of the dangerous disadvantages of Social Media and every user is advised to keep their personal data and accounts safe to avoid such accidents.

3. Addiction.

The addictive part of the social media is very bad and can disturb personal lives as well. The teenagers are the most affected by the addiction of the social media. They get involved very extensively and are eventually cut off from the society. It can also waste individual time that could have been utilized by productive tasks and activities.

4. Fraud and Scams.

Several examples are available where individuals have scammed and commit fraud through the social media. For example, this list contains the 5 social media scams that are done all the time.

5. Health Issues.

The excess usage of social media can also have a negative impact on the health. Since exercise is the key to lose weight, most of the people get lazy because of the excessive use of social networking sites. Social Media can also cause mental health problems to people like depression or anxiety. Bullying through social media (cyberbullying) can inflict these wounds to an individual. Which in result brings disorder in the routine life.

Overall aspect of Social Media to our lives

Overall, everything in the world have a “better” and “bitter” side that will always be present on our society. This applies very well to Social Media. There is no such thing as a “perfect” world. There will always be mistakes, crimes and any bad stuff. However, we must not overthink about it and put Social Media to full negativity. We have benefited through it so we must know and learn how to use it properly without paving way to the disadvantages of it. All in all, Social Media is a powerful tool that if its in the wrong hands, it can turn it into a weapon of mass destruction. If its in the hands of a careless person, Social Media can turn against that person. Always think before you click.