Social Media: Friend or Foe?

Social media has positive as well as negative impacts on communication. In this paper we will examine how social media can push people to go from one end of the spectrum to the other. Accessing different social media for different purposes, private or personal is a good way to push into the 21st century. What it really comes down to it, is social media more hurtful than it is good?

Social media-everyone is on it in some capacity. Whether it is teens making TikTok videos together, a college student Snapping answers to the quiz, or Mema Viola Facetiming her grandbabies.

In these examples we can see how social media brings people closer. I can use social media to check in with my boss, get clarification on an assignment from school, and catch up with a girlfriend. Patricia Greenfield, a UCLA developmental psychologist, found that young people feel socially supported by having large networks of online friends with some never being seen face-to-face (Meyer, 2015).

Essay author

Dr. Kai

Verified writer

Proficient in: Facebook

4.9 (41)

“ Dr. Kai came through in the time I needed it the most. Thank you! ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire Dr. Kai

Social media allows people to tell lies, partial truths, whole truths, you never know if the person behind the screen is being truthful. Seeing someone get constant attention may cause you to compare yourself causing low self-esteem and depression. Facebook, for example, is a prime source for SAD because for many users it generates a fear of missing out (FOMO) that leads to a feeling of being disconnected from social experiences (Duong, 2016). On the other hand, some people that are searching for attention may get exactly what they are looking for depending on what they post.

It is very easy to cross the line into things that may be fun and games now, but later-on prevent you from getting the job you worked so hard to get. Younger people usually are not thinking about 'Could this post affect me 10 years from now?', while they are posting at 17. But there have been several younger celebrities that have had backlash from fans for the this very reason, their private post from 7 years ago has come back to bite them in the butt.

Each social media site has its own purpose and what your purpose for using it changes over time. Using Facebook to keep up with family and friends is common, but some people also use it for networking. Often having to almost live two different lives because one is private, and one is professional. Not having enough information on your page or oversharing may cause a future employer to pass you over, always keep in mind you never know who you or the audience might be. What we see from others can cause self-reflection and longing to do or be a part of other’s activities, whether the activity is beneficial or not.

Social media gives us snapshots of life. When trying to stay up to date on our profession, we could hear the next big idea and being able to implement it into your work and get a raise or promotion gives you something to boast about. Staying up to date on other people’s lives like how Coronavirus is affecting my children, social media can give us minute-by-minute updates. The disadvantage is that we are so consumed in social media that we don’t see what’s right in front of us. We have found ourselves chained to the screen. We deny we are addicted, yet all the evidence is there. In fact, some countries have already cited this addiction as a real problem (Lobb, 2016). Eating while on the phone or other technological device, causes us to miss family time and our personal relationships in that moment — whether with a spouse or children — suffers.

In conclusion, the negatives and positives of social media are about equal. Whether you're on it for business or pleasure, what you post should be thought out. You never know who can see what you are doing. Social media is not going anywhere anytime soon. Be wary of others and trust your gut instinct, if it quacks, its probably a duck. Take time to put the electronics down and spend time with your family. (at least 3-5 sentences), conclude your essay by summarizing your main topics. Lastly, be self-aware and if you feel yourself struggling with feeling down about yourself or feeling depressed, don't hesitate to reach out and get help.

References

Duong, D. (2016). Social Media Can Cause or Worsen Anxiety Disorders. In T. Thompson (Ed.), At Issue. Does the Internet Increase Anxiety? Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from Anxiety Disorders: Social Media Edition, Anxiety.org, 2014, February 26) Retrieved from: Lobb, Olivia. (2016, Sep 27).

Social Media Effects, Scope Two-fold Social Media Effects, Scope Two-fold. University Wire; Carlsbad [Carlsbad]. Retrieved from: Meyer, Kaili. (2015, Jan 14). Social media and social perception present both advantages, disadvantages. University Wire; Carlsbad [Carlsbad].

Written by Jacob Martinez

Updated: Jan 18, 2024

Keep in mind: this is only a sample!

Updated: Jan 18, 2024