Whether
it’s the overuse of Snapchat filters, the need to post another selfie on
Instagram, or the obsession with changing your status on Facebook, it is clear
that manipulation occurs when people and social media unite. We have been
trained to constantly check our social media accounts as some people spend countless
hours scrolling through their feed without even realizing it. And this is just
the beginning.
Social networking is the creation
and sharing of ideas through online communities. These online communities can
provide a platform to spread unauthorized information. The spread of this
information commonly transpires with teens. For example, a teen may post
something that another teen does not want other people to see. Of course,
people will give the excuse that they “didn’t know” that the other person would
feel that way about the post. By doing this, drama and conflict are added to
something that was supposed to bring joy and new ideas. When it’s all said and
done, someone gets hurt - emotionally.
In addition to the concept of drama
on social media, messages via social web can be easily misunderstood. A general
positive message from a user may be interpreted as negative, which creates even
more conflict. The person may not intend to cause any harm; however, that is
one of the risks one takes when using social network sites.
Another downside of social media is
bullying - also called cyberbullying. This is perhaps one of the most common
things people think of when they hear “social media.” Cyberbullying is when
someone intentionally attacks a person through social media. For instance, in the
movie, Cyberbully, a girl was bullied by her classmates by commenting
inappropriate messages on her social media account and even creating a fake profile
online which the girl interacts with. The purpose of this movie was to inform
viewers that social network sites can lead to a decline in the mental health of
some users.
Social network sites also influence
people to be unsocial in a public environment. Online communities allow people
to communicate digitally; however, more people are unable to hold an actual
conversation in person. This is occurs when people believe that they can hide
while communicating with others behind a screen, rather than face to face. In
addition, when people use social media; they tend to forget how to read social
cues. In social media, there are no social cues, such as facial expressions.
Although there are many reasons why
social media is harmful, there are some ways that it can be helpful. For
example, many people can discover new information, such as news or important
events through social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. These
platforms allow people to receive a quick insight of what is currently
occurring in the world. However, the downside is that not everything that is on
social media can be trusted. For instance, people can post information that
can’t be proven or was a rumor.
Social
media sites were designed to share information with millions of people.
However, social network sites bring drama due to miscommunication,
cyberbullying, and the lack of the ability to be social. Social network sites should
be entertaining and safe; however, this can never happen as we do not live in a
perfect world where problems don’t exist.
