Introduction
Social networks like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are among the fastest and most convenient communication methods. They help people interact and keep in touch, even over long distances. Moreover, social networks are one of the main sources of information with a wide audience. However, there is a lot of controversy in society regarding the benefits of social media. Along with the advantages, they have certain disadvantages that can negatively affect society. Therefore, this paper will research the positive and negative effects of the popularization of social networks on society.
Beneficial Aspects of Social Networks
Rapid Communication
One of the most significant advantages of social networks is the ability to quickly establish contact with almost anyone. Having an account on any social network becomes especially valuable when it is necessary to keep in touch with someone from another country. Moreover, communication with others is a necessary aspect of life. It helps to maintain the mental and emotional state of people in the norm and provides a sense of belonging to a particular community. According to Cauberghe et al., people who feel lonely use social media as a coping strategy (255). That reduces anxiety and increases happiness through communication and sharing experiences.
Maintaining Anonymity While Sharing Experiences
Moreover, some social networks allow people to share their experiences while maintaining anonymity. It is also one of the coping strategies that operate in the format of a personal diary. That helps people to recognize better and regulate their emotions and “involves obtaining support from others” (Kross et al. 60). Especially communication using social networks is relevant in conditions of isolation, as was the case with COVID-19, and for people who have disabilities that limit their opportunities for social interaction. It helps a person to meet their socio-emotional and cognitive needs, providing social and informational support (Kross et al. 60).
Opportunities for Connecting with Like-Minded Individuals
In addition, social networks provide an opportunity to communicate with people of interest. It creates opportunities for education and making new acquaintances, which can expand one’s competence in the field of interest. For example, “Facebook and similar social media programs allow students to gather outside of class to collaborate and exchange ideas about assignments” (Damota 8). Thus, social networks contribute to raising the level of public education.
Self-Presentation in Social Networking
Furthermore, self-presentation is an essential aspect of social networking activities. It significantly reduces the manifestation of prejudice and prejudice based on the appearance of a person, which is a common phenomenon in live communication (Kross et al. 59). Instead, in social networks, a person has the opportunity to independently form their image, providing information in the profile that best characterizes them. When choosing information for self-presentation in social networks, a person manages the impression they make on others. That can help you find a job or meet new people.
Obtaining Information and Assistance
Another benefit is that social networks provide access to information and resources. Spreading information and news from one person to another is faster and more convenient for keeping abreast of current events. Many government agencies, organizations, and companies use social media to communicate directly with their target audience (Damota 8). This method of communication is more effective because it helps to convey the necessary information to the audience without intermediaries.
Supporting Social Movements and Activism
In addition, accelerated opportunities for communication and dissemination of information can be used to develop and support social movements and activism. Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street in the US, Los Indignados in Spain, and the #YoSoy132 movement in Mexico (Mirbabaie et al. 4) are social movements that have become widespread on social media. People are often more active online and express their support for a particular social movement since social networks allow them to remain anonymous. For example, Twitter often runs social campaigns with hashtags like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter, where people share their relevant experiences. That helps to create a cohesive community to address common social challenges.
Dangerous Aspects of Social Networks
The Risk of Virtualization and Disconnect from Reality
However, despite the many benefits of using social media, there are some disadvantages. One of the main threats they pose is the virtualization of human life and the loss of connection with reality. The substitution of real communication leads to a loss of a sense of reality and social communication skills (Damota). It is fraught that communication, in reality, can be reduced to a minimum. Moreover, this can lead to serious psychological consequences for a person, especially at a young age, since online and offline communication norms differ significantly (Damota 8). Moreover, this can lead to an increase in anxiety in a person if live communication is necessary.
The Misrepresentation of Reality on Social Networks
Another disadvantage of social networks is the misrepresentation of reality. While some people use social media to highlight their strengths, others use self-presentation to create the perfect image by making social comparisons (Tiggemann and Anderberg). That creates certain ideals of appearance or standard of living that people desperately try to live up to. Moreover, it can lead to cyberbullying and trolling those who do not meet the imposed standards (Kross et al. 61). Even though today, people are becoming more tolerant and tolerant of the differences of others, social networks are a less safe place. People can leave negative comments without revealing their identity, creating a more favorable bullying environment.
Anonymity and Its Potential to Encourage Criminal Activity
Moreover, maintaining anonymity can promote criminal activity. Depressed or lonely people who seek social interaction on social media are more vulnerable and suggestible, which can often lead them to become involved in criminal activity (Damota 9). It may include joining or becoming a victim of criminal organizations or groups of people. In addition, social media can be used to promote or undermine the overall social system.
Terrorists “have been using social media for their benefit for gathering information, for recruiting members, for fundraising” (Damota 9). That poses a threat to public safety and can cause damage to the health and lives of people. Moreover, Damota notes that social networks do not create complete anonymity, and the information users post can be tracked and used against them (9). It increases the security risk and could lead to the creation of an insecure community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, social networks have become an integral part of modern life, being one of the most convenient and fastest communication methods. They allow people to make new acquaintances, support social interactions, create opportunities for people’s education, and address social challenges. At the same time, excessive use of social networks can negatively affect people’s psychological state and generate cyberbullying. In addition, anonymity in social networks allows for criminal activity, which poses the most severe threat to public safety. However, social media can still benefit society in many ways. However, a positive effect can only be achieved if security conditions are created and controlled.
Works Cited
Cauberghe, Verolien, et al. “How Adolescents Use Social Media to Cope with Feelings of Loneliness and Anxiety During COVID-19 Lockdown.” Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, vol. 24, no. 4, 2021, pp. 250-257. Web.
Damota, Mulugeta Deribe. “The Effect of Social Media on Society.” New Media and Mass Communication, vol. 78, no. 9, 2019, pp. 7-11. Web.
Kross, Ethan, et al. “Social Media and Well-Being: Pitfalls, Progress, and Next Steps.” Trends in Cognitive Sciences, vol. 25, no. 1, 2021, pp. 55-66. Web.
Mirbabaie, Milad, et al. “The Development of Connective Action during Social Movements on Social Media.” ACM Transactions on Social Computing, vol. 4, no. 1,2021, pp. 1-21. Web.
Tiggemann, Marika, and Isabella Anderberg. “Social Media Is Not Real: The Effect of ‘Instagram vs Reality’ Images on Women’s Social Comparison and Body Image.” New Media & Society, vol. 22, no. 12, 2020, pp. 2183-2199. Web.