SOCIAL MEDIA AND ITS EFFECTS

Social Media

Social Sites

Social media are interactive computer-mediated technologies that facilitate the creation or sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks.websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social activities.Many people define social media as apps on their smartphone or tablet, but the truth is, this communication tool started with computers.Users create service-specific profiles and identities for the website or app that are designed and maintained by the social media organization.User-generated content such as text posts or comments, digital photos or videos, and data generated through all online interactions, is the lifeblood of social media.Social media refers to websites and applications that are designed to allow people to share content quickly, efficiently, and in real-time.
Social media facilitate the development of online social networks by connecting a user's profile with those of other individuals or groups.Users usually access social media services via web-based apps on desktops and laptops, or download services that offer social media functionality to their mobile devices (e.g., smartphones and tablets). As users engage with these electronic services, they create highly interactive platforms through which individuals, communities, and organizations can share, co-create, discuss, participate and modify user-generated content or self-curated content posted online.

Harmful Effects Of Social Media

Negative Effects Of social Media

There are several negative impacts that social media has created in society. These negative impacts include, cyber-bullying, relaying false information, and the coordination of terrorist groups. ... An issue that can arise from the use of social media is cyber-bullying.
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is a phenomenon that was born around the same time as the rise of social media. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of the most widespread negative effects of social media on society.
FOMO is just what it sounds like: a form of anxiety that you get when you’re scared of missing out on a positive experience that someone else is having. For example, you might constantly check your messages to see if anyone has invited you out, or focus on your Instagram feed all day to make sure that nobody is doing something cool without you.Internet addiction has a similar pathology to other addictions, which result in interpersonal, family, and social problems. In adolescents, Internet addiction has been linked to depression, self-injurious behaviors, sleep disturbances, increased alcohol and tobacco use, and obesity.

Another negative impact of social media is the relaying of false information. “The World Economic Forum, in its 2013 report, has listed the massive digital misinformation as one of the main risks for the modern society” (Mocanu, 2014). The result of misinformation can be seen in the way some people reject the link between HIV and AIDS because of the false belief spread by social media that the virus was created as a way for the US government to control the African American population. Because of the rapidity of the spread of information, it is sometime difficult to discern fact from fiction.
Sharing news on social media websites such as Instagram has led to negative impacts in society. Terrorist and militia groups are also learning how to use visual communication on Instagram to recruit supporters. For an example, in 2014 the radical Islamic militia ISIS had many Instagram accounts to broadcast propaganda, mock Iraq’s President Nuri al-Malaki and to showcase the masked ISIS fighters brandishing Kalashnikovs. Instagram worked quickly to remove these accounts (Finn, 2014).

POSITIVE IMPACTS

Positive Effects Of Social Media

Although social media has its downfalls, there are several positive impacts that social media has created in the past decade. These positive impacts includes allowing individuals to keep in touch with loved ones all around the world, keeping individuals up to date with the latest news, helping law enforcement catch criminals, and even helping teenagers adjust and increase their self-esteem.
Before social media, the typical ways of communicating with loved ones who were not nearby were by telephone or through handwritten letters. With social media bringing individuals closer together, we are able to communicate within an instant to individuals all across the world. This has significantly impacted our military and their families in a positive way when they are deployed overseas. With the use of social media they are able to keep in contact with their families on a daily basis.
Not only has social media had a positive impact in regards to keeping connected with distant family and friends but it has also encouraged teenagers to connect and has also impacted their self-esteem. In 2012, the Washington Post reported that “One in five said using social-networking sites make them feel more confident, popular and sympathetic to others.” (Kang, 2012) By using social media, teenagers are able to establish relationships and maintain relationships that help increase their self-esteem.
Actually it requires checks and balances.

Milan Tomic

Hi. I’m Designer of Blog Magic. I’m CEO/Founder of ThemeXpose. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.