Is Social Media Beneficial for Our Society or Not - Essay Example

Social Media Benefits for Our Society “Social media is not about the exploitation of technology but service to the community.” (BrainyQuote). Social media websites have captured our lives. It is not easy to imagine the times when there were no Facebook or Twitter. Almost fifteen years ago, people had to wait months just to hear from each other. However today, the scenario is totally different. Nowadays, people spend more time social networking than actually meeting them in person or doing any other activity at home. With the advent of social media integration in our lives, there is a growing concern regarding its impact on our society as a whole. Like everything else in the world, social media too have both positive and negative aspects to deal with. The biggest portion of its influence on our society is however counted more on the positive side. The world has shrunk and the possibilities to interact across boundaries have become widened. It was never so easy to communicate all around the globe within seconds. Social media has surely brought us closer to many different parts of the world, especially for those who have been doing global businesses. “By bringing together people who share interests, no matter their location or time zone, social media has the potential to transform the workplace into an environment where learning is as natural as it is powerful.”  (Conner). Among numerous social media websites available today, two names always strike our minds instantly when talking about social media interaction or integration in our society. Facebook and Twitter have become a household name for people all around the world. It has brought countless possibilities for the people and has enabled them to communicate on the go. The influence of both the platforms has specifically affected the younger generation. It has become the most favorite online activity of the younger generation. Around 70 % of American adults are addicted to the use of Facebook and Twitter, along with other social media platforms like MySpace, LinkedIn, and Classmates. On these websites users have the option to create their personal biographies and interactions with their friends as well as strangers. They enjoy the opportunity to share thoughts, pictures, videos, links to other websites and much more. Proponents of websites like Facebook and Twitter, suggests that these platforms have promoted online communities to have an easy interaction with friends and family living apart. They also offer teachers, students and mentors create online assistance and distance learning which a huge benefit for our society is. It is also greatly popular in disseminating useful, important or urgent information instantly and accurately. Facebook and Twitter have also been widely used for social wellness and awareness programs. They are not only cost effective mediums of spreading the word and getting assistance, but also helped thousands and millions of people to work for the evasion from the evils of our society. Among the numerous business and marketing benefits, it has also helped tremendously in providing opportunities to empower business women (Small Business - Chron.com). Besides being highly beneficial for the business purposes, marketing, promotion, and spreading positivity to help reduce many social stigmas, social media has definitely proven itself to be a great tool in enhancing and improving a person’s living standard and quality of lifestyle. It has enabled numerous individuals to maintain an easy, trouble free and more organized lifestyle than before. It has improved the satisfaction towards life through minimizing many threats of health issues. It has been observed on a large scale that due to the emergence and integration of social media websites into our lives, friends and family on social media now have the best way to utilize the trend impact, propagating and assisting with workout, diet controlling, and in achieving goals related to the termination of smoking or drinking habits. “Being a part of a social networking site can increase a person's quality of life and reduce the risk of health problems.”(Khandaker) Not only the health benefits and motivation towards adopting a healthy lifestyle have been backed up these social media influence, social networking has supported elderly people to feel happy and connected with the rest of the society. “According to a 2010 Pew Internet & American Life Project study, the 74-year old and older age group is the fastest growing demographic on social media sites with the percentage quadrupling from 2008 to 2010, from 4% to 16%.”  (Socialnetworking.procon.org). With the help of this social integration and delight provided to them in the form of being in touch with the other people as well as with their long lost friends and family members, they have gained immense benefits to aid their ageing dilemmas and social needs. Moreover, they have got an instant access to the news such as the latest happenings in the church and many other information of their interest. However, not all impacts of social media are beneficial for our society. For example, the way it has enabled people to hide their identity behind screens and restricted face-to-face correspondence. Then there is an issue about how these social media craze has taken over our lives. It is an irony to see people in public places busy chatting on their phones. It is gradually becoming a social dilemma to observe people almost going obnoxious in their behavior while busy with their tweeting or updating their Facebook statuses, just to let other people know where they are and what are they doing. “Social media is addictive precisely because it gives us something which the real world lacks: it gives us immediacy, a direction, a sense of clarity and value as an individual.”  (Amerland). Moreover, with the excessive use of these social networking tools, children’s intellect has been affected and they have become more addicted towards frivolous activities, wasting their time and became vulnerable to the potential predators such as criminals and hackers. Additionally, the privacy has also become a major issue on these websites (Socialmediaandsociety.com). Conclusion In a box, social media has benefitted the society and the lifestyles of many people in a number of ways. It has undoubtedly presented a set of mixed effects on our lives. There are numerous good things about social media as well as some negative impacts as well. However, the ways this powerful social media has influenced and provided benefits to our society can never be overshadowed by some of its negative impacts. It has altered the way of people used to communicate and perform business activities before the emergence of these platforms. It has also empowered younger generation to learn and excel more rapidly and with diversified knowledge across boundaries. Social media have developed economies of various nations through effective media marketing and enlarging various online business opportunities. Through immense integration of social media networking into our daily lives, numerous social welfare programs have been flourished to make people’s lives better and provide them with brighter opportunities, right from their home (Socialmediatoday.com). “Social media spark a revelation that we, the people, have a voice, and through the democratization of content and ideas we can once again unite around common passions, inspire movements, and ignite change.”  (Solis). Work Cited Small Business - Chron.com. "The Negative Effect of Social Media on Society and Individuals." 2010. Web. 28 Jun 2013. . Socialmediaandsociety.com. "Social Media and Society | 2013 International Conference." 2012. Web. 28 Jun 2013. . Socialmediatoday.com. "Social Media - A Good Thing or a Bad Thing? | Social Media Today." 2012. Web. 28 Jun 2013. . Amerland, David. The Social Media Mind: How social media how social media is changing business, politics and science and helps create a new world order.. 2010. Print. BrainyQuote. "Simon Mainwaring Quotes at BrainyQuote.com." 2001. Web. 30 Jun 2013. . Conner, Marcia. The New Social Learning. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2010. Print. Solis, Brian. Engage!. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, 2011. Print. Khandaker, Nazmus. "Is Social Media Good or Bad for Society? We Look at the Details." 2012. Web. 1 Jul 2013. . Socialnetworking.procon.org. "Social Networking ProCon.org." 2011. Web. 1 Jul 2013. Read More