Benefits And Drawbacks Of Social Media

It is no secret that social media has at least somewhat taken over our lives. In a recent study, it is estimated that there are around 3.96 billion people in the world using social media. In the US alone, there were around 70% of adults that used social media in the year of 2021. Additionally, this number is growing each and every year! Thus, there are obviously a lot of benefits to social media, but there are also some serious drawbacks/cons that can stem from our social media usage. This article will help highlight some of these benefits and issues of social media, and draw attention to how important it is to manage our own social media.

Before diving deeper into the pros and cons of social media, it is important to determine what types of social media are the most popular and most widely used. Facebook, is currently the most popular/widely used social media platform in the entire world, having almost 3 billion users monthly. The age demographic however is most definitely skewed towards older audiences. Younger individuals tend to use other social media platforms such as Instagram, with over 1 billion monthly users, which is actually under the same company as Facebook. Additionally, many social media users also use YouTube, with more than 2 billion users on this video-sharing platform. An interesting fact is that 74% of adults living in the US are using Youtube. Also, there are more males that use this platform than females. Now, we will delve deeper into three pros and three cons of social media.

1. Pro: Connection with family/friends even from thousands of miles away.

One of the biggest benefits of social media is the ability to stay connected with your loved ones from great distances. It is possible to live across the world from an individual and still communicate with them through the use of social media. Additionally, social media is a great way to communicate with people even if they live closer to you. It is a great way to share your life with others, and leave positive compliments in the comments. Also, it can help you make connections with other individuals that were not initially familiar to you. These are connections that you can cherish for the rest of your life. Some people who start their connections online, even end up getting married.

2. Pro: Unlimited access to information/research.

Another prominent benefit of social media is the ability to access information at the tip of our hands. People can get information about almost everything that can range from schoolwork help, and other miscellaneous information. As long as one has the internet and a device to access the internet, it is extremely easy and efficient to search information up on the internet. There is also no practical way for this information to get lost or damaged, as long as it is properly stored in a reliable database. In the past, before there was social media, information was more scarce and harder to access as an individual had to manually search information up, and not have information at their fingertips in mere milliseconds.

3. Pro: More opportunities available for individuals.

Because of the influence and reach available because of social media, there are always new opportunities available on all platforms. For example, people can create a career out of social media, and the cream of the crop end up making even more than certified brain surgeons! Additionally, people who run businesses can advertise through social media and reach more people than if they were just to advertise locally. People who seek jobs can also see job applications online, and apply through social media. Thus, social media opens plenty of new doors for individuals and allows for lives to be changed and influenced.

1. Con: Addiction.

One of the major cons that is present throughout all social media use, and all users is addiction. People end up spending an abnormal and unhealthy amount of time on social media. In 2020, Americans spent more than 1300 hours a year on social media. A reason for this addiction may be because of the release of dopamine a person has when they see their post accumulating likes and positive comments. Brains will translate likes and comments as an achievement and a reward. Also, people may simply get addicted because of the variety of content available on social media. For example on TikTok, people will see short entertaining videos that cause them to continuously scroll and watch more and more. Also, another social media platform that causes addiction is Youtube. I have personally experienced addiction to Youtube, especially when I am bored. I try to set a limit before I watch a video, promising myself that I will only watch this video and get back to work. However, every time the video ends, a new interesting video pops up, and before I know it, 2 hours have gone by. No matter how much self-control you have, addiction with social media is inevitable with everyone.

2. Con: Body Dysmorphia/Comparisons

Another frequent con or problem with social media is body dysmorphia. When individuals see people on for example Instagram, shredded to the bone, arms the size of tree trunks, it is only normal for humans to compare themselves. When they look at the unrealistic body standards of social media and project it onto themselves, individuals will also set themselves to these impossible and unrealistic standards. This can cause extreme diets, such as starving oneself for days, and overworking themselves and doing more exercise than their body can handle. In reality, most times, the influencer is on steroids or other unnatural substances that help enhance their body. Also, many of these photos are indeed photoshopped/filtered and taken in the best lighting possible. It is admirable to make the decision to change your body for the sake of your body and your health, but taking unnecessary measures to conform yourself to unrealistic standards on social media is extremely unhealthy for both your physical and mental health.

Con: Cyberbullying

Finally, a con caused by social media is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a problem extremely prevalent within our society. Many people are subjected to online abuse and harassment. Within the ages of 12 and 17, 37% of teens stated that they were cyberbullied. Additionally, on Youtube teens are most likely to be bullied, with a high risk of 79%, with the lowest social media platform being Facebook at 49%. Cyberbullies, who hide behind fake accounts and screens, often resort to name calling and insults about physical appearance. A victim of cyberbullying may have severe mental health issues resulting from their experiences. However, in some cases of cyberbullying, federal action is legal and recommended. Each and every single person in the US has civil rights, that if violated, is a federal violation and thus can pursue and prosecute the perpetrator.