The influence of social media on society: positive and negative effects on individuals and communities - VCSD (2023)

Over the past fifteen years, social media usage has exploded. In 2005, only 5% of Americans said they had used a social networking site; now, that number is closer to 70%. Concern and interest among policymakers, parents and therapists about the effects of social media on our daily lives and mental health has grown in tandem with the rise in the number of people using Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and other similar platforms and the time spent on them. The impact of social media on people and communities is both beneficial and harmful. Some of them will be covered in this section.

1. Chat and make friends

Teens can do many of the things they value most in their offline lives on social networking platforms, such as keeping in touch with loved ones, meeting new people, sharing photos and discussing topics of interest. Several studies have shown that teen social media users can reap significant benefits by shaping their sense of self, community and world.

These benefits include greater opportunities to give back to the community through fundraising and volunteering at local events, greater individual and group creativity through creating and sharing artistic and musical works, and greater opportunities for self-expression and self-awareness.

2. Improved possibilities for education

Several studies have shown that social media can improve students' educational possibilities. To collaborate on assignments and projects, middle and high school students are increasingly turning to social media. Facebook and other social media platforms provide an alternative place for students to meet and discuss course material and homework outside of the classroom.

Using blogs as a teaching tool has proven to be effective in specific educational settings and has the added benefit of helping students improve their English, composition and imaginative thinking skills. In addition, you can find much more useful information, for example something about the5 best british dishesto try.

3. Obtaining medical information

Teens find they can look up information about their health issues without revealing their identities online. There is a growing availability of high-quality health resources for young people on a wide range of topics relevant to this demographic, including STDs, stress management and the warning signs of depression.

Teens suffering from chronic illnesses have easier access to online communities where they can find understanding peers. Greater medication adherence, greater disease awareness, and fewer missed visits are some of the health benefits of teens' regular use of mobile technologies, such as smartphones, instant messaging, and text messaging.

4. Psychological challenges and online communities

Many concepts demonstrate how Facebook, in particular, can cause mental health problems. One obvious way in which social media can harm users is by encouraging self-reflection and self-criticism, especially among young people. Saddened by Facebook, some academics have hypothesized a new phenomenon they call “facebook depression”, which is the depression that develops when people spend a lot of time on social media sites like Facebook and is characterized by those, as mentioned above, conventional depressive symptoms.

Finding and maintaining peer friendships is crucial to well-being. But the intensity of the online world, which demands continual interaction, produces an element of self-consciousness that can trigger depression in specific individuals. In the same way that those with offline depression are at risk of social isolation, those with Facebook depression may seek so-called “help” from questionable online sources that encourage harmful behavior such as drug misuse, unsafe sexual practices, aggression and self-destruction.

5. Cyberbullying and social media

Despite its many benefits, technology has a dark side. Bullying has been around for a long time, but it has reached new heights with the help of the Internet and other forms of modern technology. Bullying occurs when a bully, whether a person or a group, consistently uses aggressive behavior against a victim who cannot effectively defend himself. Cyberbullying refers to bullying that takes place through electronic platforms such as the Internet and mobile phones.

Cyberbullying is aggressive behaviorthat occurs through technology, most often on the Internet and social media. Cyberbullying evolves into persistent and ongoing risk. As defined by the Rhode Island Anti-Bullying Statutes and Rules, bullying includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors: Bullying is defined as the use of any form of expression (written, verbal, electronic, physical, or any combination thereof) by one or more students against another student with the intent to:

• Cause physical or mental distress to the student or damage to property.
• Causes the student to have a justifiable apprehension that he or she may suffer physical injury or destruction of property.
• Makes the learning environment unsafe, hostile, or abusive for the student.
• This violates the student's freedom to participate in academic activities.
• It creates a serious and widespread disturbance in the normal functioning of a school.

6. Catfishing and Online Social Networking

When real-life connections weaken because individuals spend too much time on social media, we spend more time and energy on social media fiction at the expense of our most meaningful connections with loved ones and close family.

fishing-catrefers to making online friends with strangers using a fake identity, and “catfishing” is an abbreviation of the word mentioned above. It is dishonest and harms many people's marriages, friendships, and mental health.

7. Terrorism

The rapid use of social media by terrorist organizations is another worrying trend. There have been acts of Islamic terrorism around the world over the past two decades, including in Europe, Russia and the United States, which are not Muslim-majority. Terrorist organizations have used social media for their purposes, including intelligence gathering, recruiting new members, fundraising and spreading propaganda.

8. Social networking and online gambling

Successful online gambling review platforms such ashttps://www.slotozilla.com/uk/online-casinosuse social media as part of their overall marketing plan for their UK online casino. They use this strategy to advertise themselves in their niche market, build rapport with potential buyers, and increase brand awareness. Social media can help businesses grow and brands succeed in particularly competitive markets.

Companies in the gambling industry, such as online casinos and sports betting sites, operate in a competitive market where social media is crucial to gaining exposure and establishing a distinct identity among customers. Social media is an excellent way for major gaming companies to promote their brands. Strategic use of social media by gambling companies:

Conclusion

It's common to be juggling many responsibilities at once. It's fantastic that we can do it all. We rely on cell phones for everything from work and school to personal and social activities. The internet is becoming an integral part of most people's daily lives. Likewise, online communities have grown and evolved. There have been both good and bad responses to the widespread adoption of social media. Users and their interactions with social media platforms are crucial.