The Pros and Cons of Being on Social Media In Today’s Society
In 2023, social media is really what you make of it…
I started on social media by getting a Facebook account as a way to be social, to put up posts for fun and share with friends.
Then, I later expanded to other platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Tik Tok. I got on other platforms because social media became more than a way for me to be social.
It was a way for me to express myself as a creator. It was a way to share. It was a way for me to build my brand. A way to build my portfolio and earn a means of living and social media offers many opportunities for individuals and businesses who use social media as a way to build a brand and obtain a profit.
Others can use social media as a form of advocacy, to create awareness for a cause and garner support.
There are many positives to being on social media but there are also some negatives with the negative effects on mental health, bullying, slander and the spread of fake news.
Here are the pros and cons of being on social media in today’s society.
Pro: Social Media Is A Plus in that it Amplifies Your Message
Social media can be positive because it can be utilised to amplify a message. This is particularly important when it comes to social movements such as #BlackLivesMatters, #MeToo and the #EndSARS movement.
Through social media, people from everywhere around the world can be informed and aware of the injustices that occur in society. They can provide their support and through the amplification of the message, it puts pressure on institutions and governments to find ways of obtaining solutions.
For example, the #ENDSARS movement trended widely in Nigeria and outside of Nigeria. #EndSARS is a decentralised social movement and was a series of mass protests against police brutality in Nigeria. The slogan called for the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police with a long record of abuse on Nigerian citizens.
One of the impacts is that it led to the five-point demand from the EndSARS protests which was accepted by the Federal Government and the Presidential Panel.
Con: Social Media can result in the Spread of Fake News, Bullying & Tarnishing of Others' Reputation
On social media, when it comes to celebrity culture, sex tapes are released online, blogs and gossip sites share the news that exposes the negative side of people’s lives.
There is also “clapping back” and the cancel culture which creates a toxic environment for others to be in because of the negativity.
Another harmful effect of social media is that it can lead to the spread of fake news. This is due to the fact that social media is easily accessible. Therefore, anyone can start sharing and posting stories, videos and images that might have been distorted.
The spread of fake news can lead to misinformation about what is occurring in society.
This is why I believe that censorship matters and online, it is possible to report information that might be harmful or offensive which is good.
Pro: Social Media Helps to Build Brand Reputation & Create Employment Opportunities
Social media can be helpful because it can help individuals such as entrepreneurs and organisations build their brand image and reputation.
It enables us to be more aware of the services that people have online and as a result, patronise such services.
Social media has also led to the creation of job opportunities.
Back when I graduated in 2015, I was focused on my writing and aspiring to obtain jobs in media organisations while I interned for publishing houses.
I didn’t know then that it would be social media jobs that would enable me to build my CV.
Social media has helped me to get job opportunities as it offers employment through digital skills and the management of social media accounts for organisations.
Not only does social media enable one to get employed but it has also led others to profit online as entrepreneurs and content creators can make money online by selling their products.
They also make money through utilising platforms such as YouTube and Tik Tok where they can get monetised.
Con: Social Media Can Lead to an Increase in Mental Health Issues
A negative of social media is that it can lead to a spike in mental health issues such as depression and anxiety as we have become accustomed to the “highlight reel” where we show ourselves leading our best life on social media. This has become the norm and it has led to the pressure of wanting to present an amazing and happy life even when that’s not accurate.
Another harmful effect is stalking and bullying. When people share their content online and it’s open to the public, it can open the door for others to stalk and bully others either through gossip, slander or the cancel culture which can inevitably lead to a negative mental health.
One of the ways that I advocate out of this anxiety and pressure is to know when to take social media breaks. You shouldn’t be on social media 24/7. Whether you spend two to three days off, weeks or months, having breaks from social media is refreshing as it enables you to be more present and focus on your life more.
Also, another way to be mindful of your mental health on social media is to curate your feed. If you are someone who consumes a lot of content, know the type of content that you consume.
Unfollow someone if their feed makes you feel uncomfortable or insecure. Follow those whose feed contains something you enjoy seeing. Whether it is entertaining, inspiring or educative, be mindful of who you follow and why.
Pro: Social Media Encourages Creativity & Innovation
Though social media can have some harmful effects, it can also be a plus in that it enables creative individuals to be encouraged to create.
Social media encourages creativity in the sharing of ideas and building a community of like-minds. It is a place where creatives thrive through sharing their work.
Social media also encourages innovation because we use it as a tool to better our lives and as a result, others can be inspired with ideas to create and build their own systems and structures to better society.
Another Pro: Social Media Helps to Build Connections and Community
Social media can be positive in the lives of others as it can help to build connections and community.
It is not only a place where one can advertise their business but a place where you can find others with a shared interest.
That is through Facebook groups or WhatsApp communities. When done well, social media can help to foster the right connections and build communities.
This could be a positive for people to find a community and tribe online.
Final Thoughts
I champion social media for the impact it has on amplifying social movements. To create opportunities for others and to encourage creativity, innovation and to foster a sense of community.
However, others have mixed reactions to social media. Some are exiting social media platforms due to some of it’s negative effects on mental health.
Meanwhile, others are continuing to use the platform as an advantage to express, connect and earn.
Social media matters in today’s society but with everything, it has its advantages and disadvantages.
