According to Merriam-Webster, social media is defined as “forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos).” The combination of advances in digitalization and the insatiable human need to communicate has led to massive developments that have now made the world into a global village.
A century ago, if you were not standing directly in front of someone, it was practically impossible to have a discourse with them. Kings had to send town criers to walk all around the town and deliver whatever news they wanted to pass across to their subjects. Nowadays, all it really takes is a few keystrokes and touches, and information can be passed across to basically everyone and anyone a person wishes to connect to. A perfect example would be the fact that I am currently typing this in one corner of my room, on my bed, and yet, people that I have never even seen before would have access to this post when it is done. Social media platforms such as Hive, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, amongst others, are steadily changing and advancing the world we live in.
While I might not particularly be wildly familiar with all the forms social media has taken on its journey to becoming what it is today, probably because I am not really tech-savvy, I do know that like any other project that has stood the test of time, it has endured many previous failures. It is those failures, and the founders that refused to give up that we now have to thank for the platform we now use for so many reasons! Social media like any other thing out there has its various pros and cons, and this I shall now discuss.
There is a huge need and a huge opportunity to get everyone in the world connected, to give everyone a voice and to help transform society for the future. The scale of the technology and infrastructure that must be built is unprecedented, and we believe this is the most important problem we can focus on.
-Mark Zuckerberg
Connectivity is a human right.
-Mark Zuckerberg
Moving on to talk about the pros of social media as I see it, I think the very first thing I would consider would be the advantage of connectivity. The kind of connectivity that wasn't possible mere 20 years ago. Parents can keep track of their children that are moles apart with the touch of a few buttons. Employers can keep track of their employees and their business even if they are not be actually at the workplace. I am now currently connecting with all who would read this and giving them an insight into my views on a certain topic even though we've never really talked. Sellers and buyers can easily exchange information and everyone is happy in the end.
Another advantage of social media that I have recognized which is ability it gives us to share original content, like I am doing right now, that could potentially go viral and connect you to some well- to-do people. Some talented person in a village can just make a video displaying said talent, it finds its way online, and he suddenly becomes famous. I am writing this post in a corner of my room and multiple people would see it and hopefully, upvote it. Visibility and rewards all because of a mobile handset. Social media increases a person's visibility and helps people build their brands, whether personal or corporate.
In general, we're a social network. I prefer that because I think it is focused on the people part of it - as opposed to some people call it social media, which I think focuses more on the content.
-Mark Zuckerberg
Like any other thing with positive sides, social media has its negatives as well. A big one might be the fact that digital communication seems to be completely taking over the place or real life, in-person communication. Probably because it is way easier, and people, like water, meander towards the path of least resistance. Internet addiction is now a real thing and it would be a big thing to miss in a discussion like this.
Another disadvantage of social media is the fact that the negative comments can also fly around just as easily as the positive comments. Cyber bullying is a menace. It is another major problem that social media has introduced to earth. Victims can feel very bad and down for a long while, and some have even considered suicide.
However, I believe that these downsides are things that can be strictly monitored and checked, so that we only, or at least, mostly get to feel the positive impacts of this wonderful innovation.
In conclusion, social media has come to stay. Let us all embrace and appreciate its positive aspects, as we also seek to chisel out the negatives we repulse.
Thanks for reading!
The importance can never be overemphasized, so I believe no matter the negative impact it as come to stay.
Definitely!
You are very right.
The benefits far outweigh the risks.
Absolutely.
Yeah... And I think to cap it up, we should start talking about SocialFi in our social media spaces now.
Web 3 is already here and things will change again soon.
Definitely!
Web3 is the next big thing now.
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Social media does has a lot of advantages and disadvantages, but to me I feel they are both evenly balanced. All that matters is what you do with what you have, not what you let it do to you.
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But I cited the source of the picture on the post. I'm sorry if I flaunted any rules. I haven't been around for a while because of school. I'll be sure to go through the post about the dos and don'ts thoroughly and adhere to them as much as possible. Thank you.
Social media has provided opportunities and range of benefits to most people, as the world is evolving social media is taking over. People can maintain social connection, have access to information more than before. While many are using the social media positively to change the world some are been affected negatively by this, I mean for example degradation of communication skills. Really, social media has "killed" many people communication skill when it comes to seeing people physically and some are using it for thefts. However, I believe social media has changed many people's lives for better. Social media has come to stay and we should embrace it well.