Social media is making us a little less social. Social networking is making us antisocial in
many indirect
and not so obvious ways. Yes it is true that it has given us ways to reach out to a larger set of people and redefined the way we interact with each other. It helped us to know about how different people think.
Evidence from past literature has
associated heavy social media use with increased loneliness
. This may be because online spaces are often oriented to performance, status, exaggerating favourable qualities (such as by posting only “happy” content and likes), and frowning on expressions of loneliness.
Social media is making us a little less social. Social networking is making us antisocial in
many indirect
and not so obvious ways. Yes it is true that it has given us ways to reach out to a larger set of people and redefined the way we interact with each other. It helped us to know about how different people think.
According to Pew Research Center, “
more than eight-
in-ten social media-using teens say social media makes them more connected to information about what is happening in their friends’ lives and 70 percent say these social platforms better connect them to their friends’ feelings.”
Research reveals social media is most effective in tackling loneliness
when it is used to enhance existing relationships, or forge new meaningful connections. On the other hand, it is counterproductive if used as a substitute for real-life social interaction.
- Build relationships. Social media is not just about brands connecting with their customers. …
- Share your expertise. Social media gives you an opportunity to talk about what you know and what you want to be known for. …
- Increase your visibility. …
- Educate yourself. …
- Connect anytime.
- Inadequacy about your life or appearance. …
- Fear of missing out (FOMO). …
- Isolation. …
- Depression and anxiety. …
- Cyberbullying. …
- Self-absorption. …
- A fear of missing out (FOMO) can keep you returning to social media over and over again.
Hunt et al. (2018) for example show in their study, that a group
of undergraduates who spent less time on Facebook
, Instagram or Snapchat for three weeks, felt less lonely and depressed compared to their schoolmates who used these networks like they normally do.
Studies have reported that people who excessively
use the Internet
, spend less time interacting face to face, which in turn results in depression and loneliness [25]. Similarly, people who experience high levels of loneliness use the Internet for emotional support [26].
Social
media connects billions of people around the globe. In doing so, it disconnects us from reality and creates false ideals that many struggle to achieve. … However, there is no denying that social media has changed the way we view ourselves and the world at large. And it is not entirely healthy.
- Getting involved in charity campaigns. Some charities are using social media in ingenious ways, both to raise awareness of an issue and to get donations for great causes. …
- Offering help during emergencies. …
- Finding lost people. …
- Reinforcing social movements.
But there are some negative aspects of social media. 1 Aside from cyberbullying, oversharing and sexting issues, social media also
can put negative pressure on friendships
, especially when one friend is very active about posting pictures, status updates and opinions that hurt others.
Research shows that
higher amounts of social media use predict higher levels of “grandiose narcissism”
(feelings of superiority). This includes time spent on social media, frequency of posts or tweets, number of friends/followers, and how often participants post pictures of themselves on social media.
Social media is the
communal interaction among people in which
they create, share or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities. It has become the basic need and quality of human beings to be social.
Social media can be a useful tool for businesses, bringing advantages such as engaging with your audience and boosting website traffic. However there can also be disadvantages,
including the resources required and negative feedback
.
Social media is undoubtedly a boon for human civilization because
it has brought the whole world together at one place where individuals can share their views and opinions
, such healthy interactions are proven to be beneficial for the people as it helps in co-development and to enhance social skills.
