Topic: Social Media (Read 730 times)

Positive Effects of Social Media
Social networking sites allow people to communicate and remain in contact with friends as well as meet new people. These sites allow people to find others with similar interests that they can create a relationship with and get to know one another. Groups can be joined or formed to meet people with similar interests, and views. Social networking allows for creative expression by using tools such as blogging and messaging to post ideas and stories (Are social networking sites good for our society, 2009). Users also share poems, interest in music, TV shows, hobbies, photos, and many other things (Jasson). Event invitations can be made and sent to friends rather than having to mail invitations and friends can also rsvp for an event on the site.

Not only is it used to talk to friends, but it is also used to discuss educational topics. Social networking is said to increase a person’s quality of life, and can reduce health risks. Many people report that they have not had any negative experiences with social networking, and schools are starting to look at it as an educational tool (Thelwell, 2006). The use of social networking helps improve technological skills of students, and exposes them to many diverse views about things. It also has helped with communication skills, and allows the learning of cultures from users all over the world. Also students use social networking to discuss homework topics with peers online, and to get help on assignments (Reid, 2009). Sixty percent of students on social networks have said that they talk about education, and 50 percent specifically talk about school work assignments. These students seem to have an extraordinary set of traditional and 21st century skills including communication, creativity, collaboration, and leadership skills and technology proficiency. Parents are expecting schools to take advantage of using online social networking to educate children, but to do so in a safe way. Some public schools have created a secure social network for its student to be able to communicate with other students, and to do so in a more safe way (National School Board Association, 2007).

Social Networking does not just benefit individuals, but it also benefits businesses as well. These sites allow businesses to advertise and market services to a large audience, and a profile is free to set up (Gillin). Numerous businesses have created profiles that provide detailed information about the business to advertise in a low cost way (Roberts, 2008). Businesses will gain more attention on social networks because the business profile is available to for all users of the social network to see. Also businesses like to use social networks to learn what potential employees are like, and make decisions based on the information provided on the person’s profile (Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe, 2007).

Social networking has already completely changed the way people interact in the world, but also it is advancing more to make it easier to access. Now social networking is becoming mobile and can be accessed through the use of a cell phone. It is thought to be a great idea and would increase the use of social networking since a lot of people carry cell phones with them at all times. People can use mobile phones to update their status, post comments, upload photos, send messages, and update profile from just about anywhere (Kharif, 2006). This allows people to be able to get things done as well as take some time to log onto social networks. Making social networks accessible through cell phones is also expected to increase the number of users by a significant amount (Gillin). So far mobile social networking is being used more than social networking from pc computers. The top sites that are being visited using mobile phones are Facebook, MySpace, and Bebo. Being able to access social networks from the cell phone unlocks the full potential of social network, and makes it more convenient for people to use. Since it is more convenient to use the number of users has increased and the mobile social networking has increased significantly (Hamblen, 2008).


Negative Effects of Social Media
Social networking does have negative effects as well, but are nothing compared to the advantages of using it. These sites reduce the amount of face to face socializing and replace it with online interaction which is believed to result in low quality relationships with other people (Mikami, Szwedo, Allen, Evans, & Hare, 2010). Teens over share information to the public that can hurt them in the future when trying to get a job, and deleting the information is not good enough. Cyber bullying occurs as well, which is bullying people online in a public way, but occurs at a small percentage. People that frequently use online social networking are also prone to social isolation which can lead to depression and decreased social skills (Mikami, Szwedo, Allen, Evans, & Hare, 2010). A false sense of security leaves social networking site users vulnerable to security attacks such as hacking, leaking sensitive information, and sending viruses. Identity theft can occur when a cybercriminal uses the network to gather personal information posted about people (University of the Pacific). It also has been said that social networking sites endanger children by allowing pedophiles to seek out children (Are social networking sites good for our society?). Also since they are becoming mobile it might encourage people to use cell phone to access these sites while driving just like text messaging was a popular thing to do while driving.

Social networking becoming mobile use will increase cell phone use and the problem with that is that cell phones have been found to emit electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the brain and body. This absorption disrupts the brain sites for memory and learning and can cause confusion and forgetfulness (Thomas, 2004). It is also been reported that cell phones can cause cancer from the electromagnetic exposure to other parts of the body, but little emphasis has been placed on it. The cause of cancer in the brain has been the main health concern with cell phones, which social networking by mobile phone is not exposing the brain to the waves. Also, cell phones give small amounts of radiation off and would require a lot of use and over a long period of time for it to start to cause cancer. Research is needed to provide evidence to determine that actual health risk of cell phones.

Social networking has its advantages and its disadvantages like everything else does. The sites are continuously advancing, and changing to fix the negative problems. One example would be accessing social networking sites using cell phones so that people can access the site on the go rather than sit at home on a computer. Most users have stated that they have had only positive experiences with social networking, and very few people experience cyber bullying. There are still problems that need to be fixed, but it seems that the positive effects outweigh the negative effects. Social networking is a very valuable tool that can be used to meet new people, and allow people to remain in contact with friends. Even though it can waste time, social networking positively affects the world by allowing people to communicate, and remain in contact with friends in an easy and convenient way.

Good effects : you can update news, get more friends, earn money....
Bad effects : people spend so much times on social media

Communication vs waste of time

social media helps me make money because I do business online with this, but social media makes me addicted and disrupts my physical activities such as interacting with other people and lazy to exercise

Good effect is communication is a lot easier and faster.
Bad effect? People are addicted to it since it is a lot of fun hence they forget to do more important things.

good: can bring the distance closer. and it's easier to get to know more people
bad: we spend more time in front of cellphones. and ignore what is around us

It depends on how you use the social medias. If you join social meidas to connect with relatives and friends, that's good. And if you abuse it to do bad things then it is bad.

Instagram and YouTube are great for increasing brand awareness. You can utilise influencer marketing on these platforms and from a business perspective potentially increase sales for your product.

Social Media is everywhere as long as there is internet.. Facebook to youtube.. People can express themselve.. anything they want tru online..advantages are more self exposure and self expression.. Communication and building up relationship with others.. Way of showing up your talent and self on youtube.. Bridge for great opportunities in line with online business..
Disadvantages: exposure of negative things can get out of hand, self expression , frauds and theats could happen on social media as well..

Good effectz, youre getting in touch with your lost relatives. Communication is very easy. Bad effects are when they used social media for bullying, pornographies and scamming.

social media can tell us information out there and make us able to communicate with people far away. Adverse effects may make it less associated with people around

through our social media can connect globally and able to communicate quickly with the rest of the world over with so we can easily expand the business network us wherever we are.
For his negative side too focused on social media make us forget that we live in the real world and a lot of people are utilizing social media to commit crime.

social media cryptocurrency is very helpful for publication and promotion a good media.the more the product will be promoted,the more business will spread.of course positive effects of social media.

Social media plays a very important role in making the community more knowledgeable

The Good aspect is that it enhances quick communications the bad aspect was that it may predisposed a person to malicious site or virus

Social media is playing a crucial role for the promotion of Cryptocurrencies' ICO. Many investors also share their opinion about crypto-trade related topics that can be beneficial for the new investors. I think its bad effect is very little compared to positive sides.

an online media, with its users being able to easily participate, share and create content including blogs, social networks, wikis, forums and virtual worlds. Blogs, social networks and wikis are the most common forms of social media used by people around the world.

It helps us for more convenient and but I think but make us less sociable in real world.

more convenient to connect close friends but not easy to explore new friends in real world

You are right! I think social media provides an effective platform for sharing info. I mean, just one tweet could reach millions, right? Basically, the internet along with social media, sets the groundwork for more advanced technologies. Whether its trading coins, using blockchain, playing games through virtual and augmented reality, social media will prepare us for bigger things to come. Information is key to staying ahead, whatever your goals are.