By: Ali Nawaz
Rahimoo
Social media is like two sides of a coin. On one side it connects people
worldwide and allows interaction, and exchange of ideas/knowledge; on the other
side, it may promote deceptive posts, messages, conflicts, cyberbullying, and
mental and physical health issues. The intention behind the development of
social media channels was to facilitate communication, and the youth has been
the early enthusiasts of this digital media. High levels of engagement have
however been a matter of concern for their wellbeing too. Nonetheless, social
media is a major lifeline in our lives today and is an inevitable part of
everyone’s life, whether it is official or personal space. Social media is an
internet-based form of communication which is used by everyone — from
three-year-old children to 80-year-old adults. It has many positive aspects,
but along with those, there are negative aspects as well. One of those being
body image issues in teenagers, especially in girls.
Adults: Adults of
all ages use social media for various purposes, including staying in touch with
family and friends, networking professionally on platforms like LinkedIn, and
accessing news and information. Parents: Many parents use social media to connect
with other parents, share parenting tips and experiences, and stay updated on
their children's activities. Seniors: Older adults are increasingly using
social media to connect with family and friends, share photos and memories, and
access news and information Celebrities and Influencers: Public figures,
celebrities, and social media influencers use these platforms to connect with
their fan base, promote their work, and share their personal lives. Businesses
and Brands: Companies and brands use social media for marketing, advertising,
and customer engagement. They create profiles on platforms like Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to reach a wider audience. Nonprofits and
Activists: Nonprofit organizations and activists use social media to raise awareness
about their causes, mobilize supporters, and engage in advocacy
efforts. Journalists and Media Outlets: Journalists and media
organizations use social media to share news stories, engage with their
audience, and promote their content. Educators and Students:
Teachers, professors, and students use social media for educational purposes,
such as sharing resources, collaborating on projects, and discussing academic
topics. Healthcare Professionals: Healthcare providers, hospitals, and medical
organizations use social media to disseminate health information, promote
healthy behaviors, and engage with patients. Artists and Creatives: Musicians,
artists, writers, and other creative professionals use social media to showcase
their work, connect with fans, and build their careers. Travelers and
Enthusiasts: Travel enthusiasts and adventure seekers use social media to share
their travel experiences, discover new destinations, and connect with fellow
travelers. Tech Enthusiasts: People interested in technology often
use social media to stay updated on the latest tech trends, share their
insights, and connect with others in the tech community. Support Groups: Online
support groups and communities exist on social media for various issues,
including mental health, addiction recovery, chronic illnesses, and more.
These are just a few examples of the diverse user base on social media
platforms. The wide variety of users and purposes for which social media is
used reflects its versatility and impact on modern communication, social
interaction, and information dissemination. This helps them to cultivate a
constructive digital imprint for a good portfolio. Every youth today, aspires
to be a “Startup Founder” and networking is their priority for success. Social
media has helped many founders in a substantial way to build these
relationships. The casual relationships formed on social media may seem
real but actually, the meaningful relationships are nurtured and fostered in
the real world. In reality, these kind of relationships formed on social
media builds isolation and depression. Damages it brings to offline
relationships is not measurable. This is pertinent to well-being, particularly
in terms of face to face interactions, idealized images, sleep patterns etc. These
days, most individuals have body image issues when they compare their own body
to those of others in terms of size, physique or appearance. This is a growing
problem in teenage girls and various researches show that social media is one
of the biggest reasons for this.
Positive
Impacts of Social Media on Youth: Social media has empowering effects on
teachers and students. Teachers can collaborate and exchange views with one
another. Students get easy access to various study materials, perspectives,
worldviews and they can also discuss different topics and assignments. Today’s
youth relies much on social media for current affairs and news. Most of the
breaking news today spreads faster online, informing and empowering
individuals. It increases awareness even among the masses, because internet
proliferates faster. It allows people to communicate with friends and
stay connected. Many of today’s teens and working people agree that online
communication builds and fortifies relationships for social benefit. Social media
space is a great marketing opportunity for professionals for presenting
themselves, connecting professionally, and finding job and business
opportunities. It works both ways by bringing together the unemployed and
the recruiters together via LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter etc. Not only for
professionals, social media in recent times has become the new marketplace for
the buyers and sellers. It helps businesses in Selling during Covid 19 when
everything in the world is paused. They find communities to support their
hobbies and for specific talents. They can share their art, explore, and express
themselves.Social media platforms are used by a diverse range of individuals
and groups, including people of different ages, backgrounds, and interests. Here
are some of the key categories of users of social media:Youth and Teens: Young
people are among the most active users of social media. They use platforms like
Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook to connect with friends, share
content, and explore trends and entertainment.
Negative
Impacts of Social Media: Cyberbullying earlier existed in form of
trolling on forums, chat rooms, sharing inappropriate photos, spreading rumours
online and more. This gets even more serious when the bullies provoke people to
commit suicides, commit crimes or when people fall prey to terrorist activities
etc. Social media can be used as a tool to spread hatred, and tarnish the
reputations of brands and individuals which is unethical. One fatal effect of
social media is addiction. People get used to of it and start using it timelessly
irrespective of the pending works piled up with them. This may even lead to
improper sleeps, mental stress, killing time and other health issues. These all
are harmful psychological effects of social media on youth. Cases of people
losing jobs, being unproductive at work cause a lot of social disturbance and
hinders the development of youth. Small children and even teens prefer to sit
at home spending time on internet instead of going out to play with other kids
also takes a toll on their psychological health. Privacy is a concern when
using social media platforms, as the personal data of users is not safe.
Sharing personal photos and information on social networks gives rise to its
misuse and abuse.
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