Introduction
Social media is the backbone of society. The effects of social media have been felt all over the world through access to the internet based protocol that positively and negatively impacts human life. Statistics indicate that 69% of Americans which is equivalent to seven out of ten people have access social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram Linked In, Whatsup and others (Boulianne, 2015). The society should embrace and utilize the benefits of social media in every aspect of life based on its impacts on life which connects, unifies and transforms the world to a better place making life without social media unimaginable and nearly impossible.
Social media provide sites for the development of profiles communication, sharing of thoughts, photos music links and many more. Social media forms an online community that increases interactions, research, through its offer of valuable resources for use in education, health, social and political aspects, business, and economic benefits. Social media also has adverse effects on the human lie as it affects human mental physical social political economic and spiritual issues of life by exercising control over life (Team, 2018). The effects of social media are felt across all age groups from teenagers and adults to the older generations above fifty years of age. The restrictions on the use of social media platforms continue to diminish as more populations embrace social media as part of their livelihoods.
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Research and Statistics on Social Media
Social media sites have become popular over the years form the introduction of the first site, the SixDegrees.com, in 1997-2001. The social media sites have overtime become spontaneous with the introduction of several online sites over the years which continue to evolve increasing in abilities and tasks to fit the highly evolving generations (Boulianne, 2015). Form Friendster in 2002 social media has been outpaced by new developments as follows MySpace (2003), Facebook (2004), Twitter (2006), Pinterest (2009), and Google+ (2012). The sites claim different percentages of usage with Facebook having the highest use in content sharing and uploads where every day it approximately has 4.5 billion "Likes," 4.75 billion content shares, and over 300 million photo uploads (Boulianne, 2015). According to statistic verified in the US in 2014, adults’ users of the social media were 51% on YouTube, 28% used Pinterest, 26% used LinkedIn, 28% used Instagram, and 23% used Twitter. The numbers have increased significantly today with over a billion users of the social media sites today and the ability to use different platforms for different purposes simultaneously each day with over 70% increase in 2017 and 2018 in social networking sites.
Facts on Social Media
Social media has become the most significant time consumer for many citizens where more than 50% of the time is used on internet sites and social media platforms. Many people have claimed additions to social media where majority spend time during a meeting, working hours and family gathering. Other have admitted to using social media sites even in the bathroom (Desjardins, 2017). Social media is a source of revenue where different platforms benefit in various ways. Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook profit from advertising LinkedIn profits, Pinterest and Whatsup collect tax from ads, subscribers, and selling data to third parties. Social media also incorporates gaming and other entertainment platforms.
Positive Effects of Social Media
Social media as an essential part of human life and society has a positive transformation in communication and interaction. Through the available mobile and computer applications, social media allows individuals to share their opinions feeling, attitudes and emotions with the world. Social media offers comfort and contentment through words music videos and encouragement as friends, family, and strangers utilize the platforms to touch lives (Berry & Wilcox, 2018). Social media is a source of revenue generation. Through adverts and development of the various software, the society has been enriched through wealth generation as more people connect and interact online.
Social media has increased business feasibility and efficiency by easing communication where businesses can connect online using the various applications to hold meetings, close deals and negotiations impacting the economic sector (Noor & Hendricks, 2013). Social media has positive impacts on health, as more people can access health information online and shifted their way of living and lifestyles by adopting healthy trends. Patients have been connected to services guidance and experiences of the provision of services from health experts online offering relief to pain and suffering. The numerous websites and web pages that disclose essential information on health covering various conditions are beneficial and impact the society positively.
The social media positive impact has been more relevant and significant in education. The availability of social media sites has fostered educational discussions and topics as student cover different issues and assignments. Educators, librarians, researchers, and students have access to information on all subjects and issues offering an endless source of insights and valuable information for building careers and development of society (Noor & Hendricks, 2013). Social media impacts cultural exploration as it improves relationships by making new friends connecting with current and past friends and family members. Social media is a source of empowerment in social and political aspects (Berry & Wilcox, 2018). It influences voters’ participation and transforms the political landscape through to access to the population.
Social media is a useful channel in the transmission of information and has played a significant role in elections, health and education (Murse, 2018). Social media contributes to the elimination of social stigma on issues such as gay rights. Different sites such as Facebook and Twitter has helped in the promotion of the rights and freedoms of the LGBTI communities. Issues like racism and discrimination have been reduced through social media efforts to educate and enlighten people. Depression, anxiety and other stigmatized diseases and conditions have found platforms for discussions and provision of comfort and solace. Funds for business have been raised through crowdfunding which promotes accomplishment of goals, (Murse, 2018) growth and development at individual and society levels.
Negative Effects of Social Media
The adverse effects of social media have raised debates with many claims on its harmful effects and damages to society. Social media has been accused of robbing the society the joys of face to face interactions, time wastage, and negative influence on behavior especially on children through its psychological impact (Shirky, 2011). Social media has exposed the society to false information and facilitated its spread leading to people living in fear. It has also exposed citizens to predators, like pedophiles and increased crimes like burglary theft murder and cyberbullying and theft.
The youth have been adversely and immensely affected by social media through addictions. Social media has limited the youth exploration and focused their concentration and energy on social media (Shaw & Gant, 2002)much potential has been wastage and untapped as the youths spend most of their valuable time online playing non-beneficial games or interacting and sharing content which has no value added to their lives. Addiction to social media has cause education, careers families and society to perish due to lack of creativity and innovation among the youth in society as they focus their attention from the priorities and essential pursuits of life.
The effects of social media on health are fatal. The decrease in physical activity has led to the accumulation of body fat due to the failure to utilize the consumed calories. By enticing people to waste time, social media has decreased productivity which has economic effects (Team, 2018). Also, reduced physical activity provide minimal stress to the muscles which are necessary for the increase in Bone Mass Density which has become a significant cause of diseases such as osteoporosis which has posed a substantial threat in the modern society. Social media has also influenced mental health leading to brainwashing due to the psychological effects of the virtual world to the brain affecting reasoning and thinking of individuals (Shaw & Gant, 2002). Education has been changed due to poor time allocation on learning and capacity development.
Social media affects the behaviors of young children due to exposure to uncensored content available on social media sites. Many personalities and psychological disorders emerging in the recent past have been associated with social media (Team, 2018). Other adverse effects of social media include stress, reduce privacy and personal exposure. Economically, social media has contributed to unemployment with individuals struggling with job stability due to the inability to sustain jobs (Team, 2018). HR departments have had to let go of individuals with dismal performance and reduced productivity as the focus has shifted from work to social media. In recent times, crimes have increased due to social media exposure of location and activities posing security threats to society (Shirky, 2011). The spread of false information triggers fear and insecurity in society. Social media has isolate people as they communicate online and have no physical or face to face interaction. Hate, anger, and depression are outcomes of social media reliance as people become subjective and discriminate by race, education, and social classes.
Position Statement on Effects of Social Media
The discussion on the positive and negative effects of business offers a profound insight into the impact of social media on society. From the debate, all the implications of social media emerge from its ability to bring the world closer to form a global village. Social media most profound effect on humanity is in its ability to reduce distance and to open up the world to explorations of the various domains to humankind (Berry & Wilcox, 2018). Through this effect, the positive impact of social media outweighs the adverse impact it poses on the society. Social media is an influential and positive force for transformation advancement and progress.
Defense on Position
The positive effects of social media can be seen on its impact of on society by increasing freedoms, equality, social justice, and power. Social media promotes justice as it lobbied for the rights and liberties of citizens to express their ideas and opinions on governance, democracy, and attack social evils in society (Desjardins, 2017). It evaluates the importance of social media to the nation. Social media platforms have presented many positive outcomes significance to society and humankind. Embracing social media as an essential part of the community will trigger innovation and creativity as more people come together to share ideas and opinions in issues affecting the globe and in the same spirit present solutions to significant problems such as environmental degradation as they aim to make the world a better place.
Conclusion
Social media like any other human invention and creation has its pros and cons which affect human society in different ways. It is upon the society to learn to utilize social media as a tool of development and progress by exploiting its positive benefits and seeking solution and elimination of the negative impacts. Social media presents a transition to digital life and is an asset that cannot be suppressed or hindered. People should instead learn to accommodate and live amicably with social media by promoting and adopting positive social media practices and embracing change and diversity.
References
Berry, J. M., & Wilcox, C. (2018). The interest group society. Routledge.
Boulianne, S. (2015). Social media use and participation: A meta-analysis of current research. Information, Communication & Society, 18(5), 524-538.
Desjardins, J. (2017, August 2 ). How social media influence the economy . Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2017/08/02/how-does-social-media-influence-the-economy/#280ab9b444d0
Murse, T. (2018, June 1). How social media has changed politics: 10 ways Twitter and Facebook have altered campaigns. Retrieved from: https://www.thoughtco.com/how-social-media-has-changed-politics-3367534
Noor, A.-D. H. S., & Hendricks, J. A. (2013). Social media: Usage and impact. Lanham, Md: Lexington Books.
Shaw, L. H., & Gant, L. M. (2002). In defense of the Internet: The relationship between Internet communication and depression, loneliness, self-esteem, and perceived social support. Cyber psychology & behavior, 5(2), 157-171.
Shirky, C. (2011). The political power of social media: Technology, the public sphere, and political change. Foreign affairs, 28-41.
Team, S. S. (2018, February 23). The Negative Effects of Social Media for Teens. Smart Social Retrieved from: https://smartsocial.com/negative-effects-of-social-media/
