Social media has become a part of people's day to day lives, and increasing access to the internet can lead to negative impacts. Despite its benefits in providing social interactions, reliance on social media can lead to significant risks including lower performances, mental health problems, cyberbullying, addiction, social isolation, low self-esteem as well as indulgence in risky behaviors. Facebook is the perfect example of a social media platform that has made its way into the lives of many people, such that most of them cannot do without its updates. The fact that social media has been a part of the current generation, especially having born in an era of advancing technology, most people feel that they cannot do without using it.
Facebook sends the message of maintaining unity and mutual relationships among the members of society. The profiles created on Facebook can be used in the construction of other users lists whom they share common characteristics, connections, or relations (PBS, 2018). It also enables and encourages interaction between strangers according to their users' common influences and interests, while others promote the strengthening of connections that already existed. Furthermore, it caters to a diverse and vast audience while others have restrictions on individuals that belong to specific racial, religious, or cultural backgrounds.
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Facebook also proves to be a reference group, especially to those who follow the media posted on the platform. There are a number of groups containing members with similar characteristics formed on Facebook to help the members compare their activities. The groups range from peer groups, business groups, and student groups. This reflects a classic case of Groupthink, which entails having a common goal on the opinions of the majority members. Since Groupthink mostly occurs in groups that portray unquestioned beliefs and invulnerability, Facebook groups are a perfect reflection.
Social media platforms like Facebook have not been responsible for what they cover and allow into space. According to the documentary on "Facebook Dilemma" by PBS, Zuckerberg's commitment only lies in being open and connected. Facebook has been used to incite violence while lasing out against political opposition in the Philippines and Myanmar (PBS, 2018). However, such issues have been neglected with the company and society being framed for the lays and issues. I believe if Facebook continues with its negligence, the company might not be influential in the future since the people will soon realize that its drawbacks outweigh the benefits.
References
PBS. (2018). The Facebook Dilemma, Part One (full film) | FRONTLINE [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T48KFiHwexM&feature=emb_title
