Social media has grown
tremendously in the last few years. From 2006 onward the growth rate is
unexpectedly very high. Especially Facebook and Twitter have grown much faster
and captured millions of users in just a few years. The way technology is growing;it
is obvious that more and more people are going to grasp its benefits. It has
brought a lot of advantages for the society. From progressed nations to
under-developed countries, every nation is utilizing the power of social media
to enhance life and use it for the bitterness of the people.
However,
on the other hand it has also affected the society in the negative way. Just
like anything, which can be used for both good, and bad, social media have also
provided the negative and positive ways for the people. It is all about the
usage and getting things done positively by using the power of social media. It
is in the hands of the user to use to its advantage. But willingly or
unwillingly it can still have negative impacts on the users.
Social media has been
criticized a lot due to the effect it has on the way students produce and
retain information. Some parents are of the opinion that social media can be
very distracting and harmful for students. On the contrary, social media offers
plenty of opportunities for learning and interaction. It is rather simple to
see how students benefit from social media. By using technology in classrooms,
the young generation is paving a new way of education and learning. Students
are getting to explore and experience the world not only by books and
assignments, but also by adapting a new form of communication. In a world where
your networks and connections are important, graduates enter the workplaces
with a lot more to offer.
What exactly are students learning by using social media?
Networks Social media
connections are designed to increase your networks, form communities and
interact easily. Today’s students are accessing Facebook,Twitter, LinkedIn
and other such social networking sites to connect and share information with
those around them. One of the most fascinating things about social media is the
way the users can interact and engage with each other through a mere web
presence without having to meet someone in person. Web rendezvous Students
share personal information, links to other sites or comment on someone’s post.
By doing this, they get engaged with each other instantly. The use of social
media has made it easier and faster to interact with peers or teachers about
class-related topics. In a world where online engagements are important for
businesses, these students are already experts at developing an online
presence. Students are also experts in interacting with others on the Internet.
They know how to use basic as well as complex functions on various social media
sites.
Sharing Information
Students are continuously connected to the Internet through their mobiles,
tablets, etc. and hence rapidly transmit information to friends, family and
other connections. This information is a lot more than just hilarious videos or
vacation snapshots. People share views, opinions, tips, projects, study
material and other such useful stuff with each other. They exchange helpful
information for classes and examinations. Their ability to access, evaluate,
maintain and share information is fantastic without even being aware that they
are actually developing such skills day by day. The older generations need to
understand the magnitude of this new style of communication.
Social
Media Marketing We are all aware of social media marketing. The new media has
led professionals to build a social media strategy to publicize their product
and service. Social media marketing is seen upon as a skill, which is an
emerging career option. Social media prepares young workers to become
successful marketers. It has become essential for all types of businesses to
incorporate social media marketing in their organizations. Students are
extensively carrying out social media strategies for several companies all over
the world. The benefits of social media for students are many. The above are
just a few to begin with.
The Pros of Social Networking
·
Staying Connected
The main purpose of
social media is to be able to stay connected to friends and families in today’s
fast paced and ever changing worlds. You are able to rekindle old friendships,
share family photos, and special events in your life with just about everyone
you know, at the same time.
·
Finding People With Common Interests
Social networking is also
a great way to meet entirely new people. You can seek out groups that are
focused towards your special interests and hobbies and connect with local
people that share the same interests. Online and social media dating is almost
more common than traditional dating is in today’s world Invaluable Promotional
Tool Companies, artists, and musicians can reach an impossibly large and
diverse amount of people using social media sites. This allows them to promote
and market themselves and their products in a way that has never been seen
before.
·
Information Spreads Incredibly Fast
Breaking news and other
important information can spread like wildfire on social media sites. Important
things like recalls, storm information, or missing children are all
communicated and taken seriously very quickly.
·
Helps To Catch And Convict Criminals
People
often do not think of the consequences of what they post of these social sites.
Pictures of themselves doing illegal things, or even bragging posts about
crimes they have committed are all things that law enforcement use to persecute
these criminals. They also use these sites to identify and solve existing
cases.
Students especially use
the medium to stay in touch with their old friends and also to meet new ones.
Like any other technological innovation social media has its own share of Advantages and Disadvantages. Schools are adopting technology for pedagogical
purposes and introducing social media into the classrooms. This is a trend that
has garnered a lot of support as well as apprehensions.
Social media has several
advantages for students. Social media can enable students to easily contact
each other with regards to school projects and assignments. It is also possible
for them to work on group assignments from the comfort of their own homes.
Students that use social media can also participate more in class. When social
media is used in pedagogy, students who have difficulty in expressing their thoughts
in their classrooms can get involved in the learning process. It will help
build these children’s confidence level as well. Social media is also useful
for students when doing homework. Posting a message through social media can
clear any doubts. Any questions that they may have can be asked on a message
board and other students can also benefit from the feedback given by the
teacher.
Teachers have many
options to share useful links and this benefits the student. Students, teachers
and parents can be on the same page with the help of social media. Sites like
Facebook help teachers to stay in touch with parents and let them know about
the progress of their children.
Along with the Advantages
social media also has several Disadvantages. Social media can be a distraction
for some students. Students may be distracted from their school work and the
teachers will have no option of knowing which student pays attention. There is
always a possibility that the students will not use social media for educational
purposes. They may use social media for their personal communication.
Students
that use social media regularly may lose their ability to engage in face to
face communication. Even if the world is turning to technology, students must
know how to communicate in the real world. Social media websites are becoming
notorious for cyber bullying. This has become an alarming trend. Students may
write hurtful messages about other students and this could scar students for
life. Yet another problem with social media is that it is impossible to know
whether students will use the medium in a constructive manner. Students may
post inappropriate content like pornography on social media. This will defeat
the purpose of the medium altogether. Social media is a rather effective way
for students to make friends and also to get their education. At the same time
there are certain disadvantages as well. The true challenge lies in overcoming
the disadvantages and ensuring that the advantages create the desired impact.
With this I will explore
the Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media,
10 Disadvantages of Social Media.
1- Cyber bullying –
According to a report published by PewCenter.org most of the children have
become victims of the cyber bulling over the past. Since anyone can create a
fake account and do anything without being traced, it has become quite easy for
anyone to bully on the Internet. Threats, intimidation messages and rumors can
be sent to the masses to create discomfort and chaos in the society. Check out
the 6 cyber bullying stories that turned into suicide stories.
2– Hacking – Personal
data and privacy can easily be hacked and shared on the Internet. Which can
make financial losses and loss to personal life. Similarly, identity theft is
another issue that can give financial losses to anyone by hacking their
personal accounts. Several personal twitter and Facebook accounts have been
hacked in the past and the hacker had posted materials that have affected the
individual’s personal lives. This is one
of the dangerous disadvantages of the social media and every user is advised to
keep their personal data and accounts safe to avoid such accidents.
3- Addiction – The
addictive part of the social media is very bad and can disturb personal lives
as well. The teenagers are the most affected by the addiction of the social
media. They get involved very extensively and are eventually cut off from the
society. It can also waste individual time that could have been utilized by
productive tasks and activities.
4- Fraud and Scams –
Several examples are available where individuals have scammed and commit fraud
through the social media. For example, this list contains the 5 social media
scams that are done all the time.
5- Security Issues – Now
a day’s security agencies have access to people personal accounts. Which makes
the privacy almost compromised. You never know when any investigation officer
regarding any issue that you mistakenly or unknowingly discussed over the
Internet visits you.
6- Reputation – Social
media can easily ruin someone’s reputation just by creating a false story and
spreading across the social media. Similarly businesses can also suffer losses
due to bad reputation being conveyed over the social media.
7- Cheating and
Relationship Issues – Most of the people have used the social media platform to
propose and marry each other. However, after some time they turn to be wrong in
their decision and part ways. Similarly, couples have cheated each other by
showing the fake feelings and incorrect information.
8- Health Issues – The
excess usage of social media can also have a negative impact on the health.
Since exercise is the key to lose weight, most of the people get lazy because
of the excessive use of social networking sites. Which in result brings
disorder in the routine life. This research by discovery will shock you by
showing how bad your health can be affected by the use of the social media.
9- Social Media causes
death – Not just by using it, but by following the stunts and other crazy
stuffs that are shared on the internet. For example bikers doing the
unnecessary stunts, people doing the jump over the trains and other life
threatening stuffs. For example in this video 14 year old from Mumbai was doing
stunts on a running train, which caused his death. The teenagers because of the
successful stunts made and shared over the social media perform these types of
stunts.
10-
Glamorizes Drugs and Alcohol – One of the disadvantages of the social media is
that people start to follow others who are wealthy or drug addicted and share
their views and videos on the web. Which eventually inspires others to follow
the same and get addicted to the drugs and alcohol.
Meanwhile here are the 10 Advantages of Social Media.
1- Connectivity – The
first and main advantage of the social media is connectivity. People from
anywhere can connect with anyone. Regardless of the location and religion. The
beauty of social media is that you can connect with anyone to learn and share
your thoughts.
2- Education – Social
media has a lot of benefits for the students and teachers. It is very easy to
educate from others who are experts and professionals via the social media. You
can follow anyone to learn from him/her and enhance your knowledge about any
field. Regardless of your location and education background you can educate
yourself, without paying for it.
3- Help – You can share
your issues with the community to get help and giddiness. Whether it is helping
in term of money or in term of advice, you can get it from the community you
are connected with.
4- Information and
Updates – The main advantage of the social media is that you update yourself
from the latest happenings around in the world. Most of the time, Television
and print media these days are biased and does not convey the true message.
With the help of social media you can get the facts and true information by
doing some research.
5- Promotion – Whether
you have an offline business or online, you can promote your business to the
largest audience. The whole world is open for you, and can promote to them.
This makes the businesses profitable and less expensive, because most of the
expenses made over a business are for advertising and promotion. This can be
decreased by constantly and regularly involving on the social media to connect
with the right audience.
6- Noble Cause – Social
media can also be used for the noble causes. For example, to promote an NGO,
social welfare activities and donations for the needy people. People are using
social media for donation for needy people and it can be a quick way to help
such people.
7- Awareness – Social
media also create awareness and innovate the way people live. It is the social
media, which has helped people discover new and innovative stuffs that can
enhance personal lives. From farmers to teachers, students to lawyers every
individual of the society can benefit from the social media and its awareness
factor.
8- Helps Government and
Agencies Fight Crime- It is also one of the advantages of the social media that
it helps Governments and Security Agencies to spy and catch criminals to fight
crime.
9- Improves Business
Reputation – Just like it can ruin any business reputation, It can also improve
business sales and reputation. Positive comments and sharing about a company
can help them with sales and goodwill. Since people are free to share whatever
they want on the social media, it can impact positively when good words are shared.
10-
Helps in Building Communities – Since our world has different religions and
beliefs. Social media helps in building and participating in the community of
own religion and believes to discuss and learn about it. Similarly, people of
different communities can connect to discuss and share related stuffs. For
example Game lover can join games related communities; car lover can join
communities related to cars and so on.
In conclusion
I can say Social media has taken the world by storm. It has become one of the
best mediums for transfer of information and knowledge in the world. It is
usually the younger generation that uses social media than any other
demographic and it has a lot of benefits.
This article was written by Mr Babangida Ruma. To know more about him, click here.
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