Social media is currently the easiest, the most common, and the most preferred means of communication between people across the world. Examples of social media platforms used to connect people in the current digital world include the Facebook, twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and many other channels that relies on the use of internet. Technology in the world started to transform after the discovery of computers in the 20th century however, the origin of social media is traced back in 1997 when the first recognizable social media site known as Six Degrees was developed. The site permitted users upload profiles and create connections with other users. Blogging sites became popular in 1999, which created a social media sensation that is still popular today. The uses of social media have both positive and negative impacts to the society. The purpose of the paper is to discuss the positive as well as the negative influence of social media on the society, particularly the users.
Since the invention of social media platforms, communication and connecting with people from different parts of the world has become very easy. People can easily share information concerning what is happening in various parts of the world within the shortest time possible. It is noted that “It’s hard to resist since it’s omnipresent in daily life, and so usable, but even the most assiduous curation of interactions on social media has a cost” (Strassman 03). People also prefer to communicate through use of social media platform because it is easy, cheap, and convenient. The only things that people need to communicate with their friends who are thousands of miles away is the availability of internet and gadgets used for communication. The easy and fast sharing of information between users located in various regions of the globe is also beneficial to the society because it has become easy to learn and appreciate other people’s cultures. Social media has played a vital role in the achievement of cultural diversity among people. Through the channels, users can easily learn the mode of dressing of other people, the kind of foods they eat, their religious beliefs, and even their language (Baym 03). Cultural diversity promotes peace across the world because people learn to accommodate divergent views and cultural practices.
The social media use has enhanced creativity and innovation among people especially the teenagers and youths. Social media mostly operate basing on active participation and sharing of content and varied ideas on certain things within the society. The users of the sites get in contact with the information frequently and the different ideas play a significant role in how people reason and act. A majority of the users think outside the box and it makes the basis for innovation and creativity. The users are also encouraged by the different ideas that they encounter through social media websites because they learn how other users from different sections of the world are utilizing common things within the environment to create useful items and applications that used by others.
Social networking helps in finding common ground in an open society. Through the use of social media platforms form instance Facebook, it becomes easy for a user to find individuals they share interests with. Most social media platforms require users to add their profiles that contain information about who they are and what they believe in. such provisions make it much easier to achieve a common ground with other users. Some sites for instance twitter allows people with particular interests to connect with each other because they share certain ideologies. Networking through use of social media sites boosts community participation (Bucher 05). The forums created to address specific issues enables participants to share their ideas and opinions on specific themes and topics that interests them. The users get a chance to engage in open discussions that aims at finding a solution on a particular issue affecting the society.
Despite the many positive impacts, social media has many negative effects to the society. A major deleterious result of using social media is that it compromises the privacy of the users. The information provided by the users is meant for public viewership and there is minimal control of who should view the information and who should not. Despite the limitations placed by the users for instance use of passwords and other features that limit access by unauthorized people, the users with advanced computer skills can still access the data (Bucher 11). Hackers with bad intentions use the information provided by users to achieve their clandestine missions. The social media users are also restricted on the kind of information they post. Posting sensitive or incorrect information about another person can result in a legal suit against the user. The technology allows tracing of the post back to the sender. Hackers can also use other people’s accounts to make posts that might significantly affect the person whose account has been hacked especially if the affected individual is a politician.
Social media is commonly used to spread propaganda and information that has negative influence to the users. Since it is easy to share information via social media, people can use it to spread information intended to achieve specific purpose. In countries like the United States of America where issues like racism and discrimination against certain groups is common, social media has played a central role in creating enmity between the minority blacks and the majority whites. It is authored that “If our postings on social media and the web keep giving us perfect recall, then the story is authored for us; we become transcribers rather than storytellers” ” (Strassman 03). The whites and blacks have been using the social networking platforms to post insults against each other. Such uses harm the existence of peace and harmony within the society because it escalates hatred, hindering cooperation amongst the members of society. Social media is also used by groups like deadly gangs and terrorists to spread extremist information and recruit members to their circles. Basing on such uses of social media, the society is exposed to negative influence from other parts of the world.
The addictive nature of social media raises serious concerns about its influence in the society. It has effects on the mental health of users because they become addicted and rely on in in their daily operations. A common aspect that is affected as a result of using social media is memory because many users rely on digital memory and are unable to remember most things on their own. “We shouldn’t rely too heavily on external digital memory. The noisy interactions on social media distract at every level, and the illusion of perfect recall is a siren’s call. As writers, we delight in that moment when memory becomes story. We need to forget in order to engage in the essence of remembering” (Strassman 03). Thus, overall, social media compromises the aptitude of the users to fully utilize their potential and abilities.
Social media has both positive and negative impacts on the society. Social networking has eased sharing of information and communication across the world. The issues affecting the society can be discussed easily through use of social media. However, social media has several negative effects to the society. It compromises people’s privacy and safety, limiting people’s abilities, and spreading adverse information that harms existence of peace and harmony among people. A concern that emerges is about the most suitable ways of eliminating the negative influence associated with social media.
Works Cited
Baym, Nancy K. "Social Media and the Struggle for Society." Social Media + Society, vol. 1, no. 1, 2015, p. 205630511558047.
Bucher, Taina. "Networking, or What the Social Means in Social Media." Social Media + Society, vol. 1, no. 1, 2015, p. 205630511557813.
Strassman, Daphne. "The Perils of Perfect Memory." The New Past, According to Social Media, no. 55, 2015,
