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Social Media Pros and Cons

Categories: Effects of Social Media Internet Social Media

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Words: 889 |

Updated: 7 November, 2023

Words: 889 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Advantages of social media, disadvantages of social media, video version.

Hook Examples for Argumentative Essay on Social Media

A Startling Statistic: Did you know that over 3.6 billion people worldwide use social media? Join me as we explore the impact of this global phenomenon on our lives and society as a whole.
An Intriguing Quote: As Oscar Wilde once remarked, “Everything in moderation, including moderation.” These words prompt us to examine the balance between the benefits and drawbacks of social media in our lives.
A Personal Revelation: My own journey with social media led me to question its role in my life. Join me as I share my experiences and insights into the pros and cons of this omnipresent digital landscape.
A Societal Mirror: Social media reflects the best and worst of our society, from fostering connections to perpetuating misinformation. Explore with me how it both mirrors and shapes our cultural landscape.
An Evolving Debate: As technology advances and society changes, so does our understanding of social media’s impact. Join me in examining the ever-evolving debate surrounding the pros and cons of this powerful communication tool.
Van der Bank, C. M., & van der Bank, M. (2014). The impact of social media: advantages or disadvantages. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 4(2), 1-9. (http://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_17_vol4(2)july-nov_2015.pdf)
Abudabbous, N. (2021). Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media and Its Effects on Young Learners. Available at SSRN 4002626. (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4002626)
Holmes, W. S. (2011). Crisis communications and social media: Advantages, disadvantages and best practices. (https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=ccisymposium)
Roebuck, D., Siha, S., & Bell, R. L. (2013). Faculty usage of social media and mobile devices: Analysis of advantages and concerns. Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects, 9, 171. (https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/facpubs/3171/)
Farrugia, R. C. (2013). Facebook and relationships: A study of how social media use is affecting long-term relationships. Rochester Institute of Technology. (https://www.proquest.com/openview/04bf6121089bb04b74dcaba7486bd814/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750)

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Essay on Social Media for School Students and Children

500+ words essay on social media.

Social media is a tool that is becoming quite popular these days because of its user-friendly features. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more are giving people a chance to connect with each other across distances. In other words, the whole world is at our fingertips all thanks to social media. The youth is especially one of the most dominant users of social media. All this makes you wonder that something so powerful and with such a massive reach cannot be all good. Like how there are always two sides to a coin, the same goes for social media. Subsequently, different people have different opinions on this debatable topic. So, in this essay on Social Media, we will see the advantages and disadvantages of social media.

Advantages of Social Media

When we look at the positive aspect of social media, we find numerous advantages. The most important being a great device for education . All the information one requires is just a click away. Students can educate themselves on various topics using social media.

Moreover, live lectures are now possible because of social media. You can attend a lecture happening in America while sitting in India.

Furthermore, as more and more people are distancing themselves from newspapers, they are depending on social media for news. You are always updated on the latest happenings of the world through it. A person becomes more socially aware of the issues of the world.

In addition, it strengthens bonds with your loved ones. Distance is not a barrier anymore because of social media. For instance, you can easily communicate with your friends and relatives overseas.

Most importantly, it also provides a great platform for young budding artists to showcase their talent for free. You can get great opportunities for employment through social media too.

Another advantage definitely benefits companies who wish to promote their brands. Social media has become a hub for advertising and offers you great opportunities for connecting with the customer.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Disadvantages of Social Media

Despite having such unique advantages, social media is considered to be one of the most harmful elements of society. If the use of social media is not monitored, it can lead to grave consequences.

Thus, the sharing on social media especially by children must be monitored at all times. Next up is the addition of social media which is quite common amongst the youth.

This addiction hampers with the academic performance of a student as they waste their time on social media instead of studying. Social media also creates communal rifts. Fake news is spread with the use of it, which poisons the mind of peace-loving citizens.

In short, surely social media has both advantages and disadvantages. But, it all depends on the user at the end. The youth must particularly create a balance between their academic performances, physical activities, and social media. Excess use of anything is harmful and the same thing applies to social media. Therefore, we must strive to live a satisfying life with the right balance.

FAQs on Social Media

Q.1 Is social media beneficial? If yes, then how?

A.1 Social media is quite beneficial. Social Media offers information, news, educational material, a platform for talented youth and brands.

Q.2 What is a disadvantage of Social Media?

A.2 Social media invades your privacy. It makes you addicted and causes health problems. It also results in cyberbullying and scams as well as communal hatred.

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Essay on Pros and Cons of Social Media

Students are often asked to write an essay on Pros and Cons of Social Media in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Pros and Cons of Social Media

Introduction.

Social media is a powerful tool used by people worldwide. It has both pros and cons that we will discuss.

Pros of Social Media

Social media allows us to connect with friends and family, share ideas, and learn new things. It’s a great way to stay informed and engaged.

Cons of Social Media

However, it can also lead to cyberbullying, misinformation, and addiction. It can negatively impact mental health and productivity.

It’s important to use social media responsibly, balancing the benefits and drawbacks, to ensure a positive experience.

250 Words Essay on Pros and Cons of Social Media

Social media has become an integral part of modern society, shaping the way we communicate, learn, and engage with the world around us. Yet, it is a double-edged sword, with its advantages and disadvantages intricately linked.

One of the primary benefits of social media is its ability to foster connectivity. It enables individuals to stay in touch with friends and family across the globe, breaking geographic boundaries. Moreover, it serves as a platform for information dissemination and awareness, playing a crucial role in movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo.

Social media also facilitates learning and professional growth. Platforms like LinkedIn, for instance, enable networking and job hunting, while academic forums provide resources for students and researchers.

Despite its benefits, social media has its share of drawbacks. It can lead to an excessive focus on virtual interactions at the expense of real-life relationships. This over-reliance often results in feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

Additionally, the spread of misinformation is a significant concern. Fake news can propagate rapidly, leading to harmful consequences, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In conclusion, while social media provides a platform for connectivity and learning, it also poses risks like social isolation and misinformation. It’s essential to use these platforms judiciously, understanding their potential pitfalls.

500 Words Essay on Pros and Cons of Social Media

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It has drastically changed the way we communicate, share information, and even conduct business. While it offers numerous benefits, it also presents several drawbacks. This essay explores the pros and cons of social media, providing a balanced view of this transformative tool.

The Pros of Social Media

Social media has democratized the dissemination of information, making it more accessible than ever. It has become a platform where people can voice their opinions, rally for causes, and effect social change. The Arab Spring is an example of how social media can be used to mobilize and coordinate mass protests.

Another advantage is the connectivity it offers. Social media platforms allow people to stay in touch with friends and family across the globe. It fosters a sense of community and enables the sharing of experiences, ideas, and emotions.

From an educational perspective, social media is a valuable resource. It provides a platform for collaborative learning, academic networking, and knowledge sharing. It also promotes digital literacy, a crucial skill in today’s digital age.

In the business world, social media is a powerful marketing tool. It allows businesses to engage with their customers, gather feedback, and improve their products or services based on consumer preferences.

The Cons of Social Media

Despite its many advantages, social media has its downsides. One of the major concerns is privacy. The vast amount of personal data shared on these platforms can be exploited by malicious entities for identity theft, cyberstalking, or other harmful activities.

Another issue is the spread of misinformation. The ease of sharing information can lead to the rapid dissemination of false or misleading content, which can have serious societal implications, as seen in the ‘fake news’ phenomenon.

The impact on mental health is another significant concern. Excessive use of social media can lead to addiction, decreased productivity, and feelings of inadequacy due to the comparison with others’ lives. Studies have linked heavy social media use to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Moreover, social media can promote echo chambers, where people are exposed only to views similar to their own, leading to polarization and intolerance.

In conclusion, social media is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it democratizes information, fosters global connectivity, aids in learning, and serves as a powerful tool for businesses. On the other hand, it poses significant privacy risks, facilitates the spread of misinformation, can negatively impact mental health, and contribute to societal polarization. As users, we must navigate this digital landscape with caution, leveraging its benefits while being vigilant of its drawbacks.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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6 Example Essays on Social Media | Advantages, Effects, and Outlines

Got an essay assignment about the effects of social media we got you covered check out our examples and outlines below.

Social media has become one of our society's most prominent ways of communication and information sharing in a very short time. It has changed how we communicate and has given us a platform to express our views and opinions and connect with others. It keeps us informed about the world around us. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn have brought individuals from all over the world together, breaking down geographical borders and fostering a genuinely global community.

However, social media comes with its difficulties. With the rise of misinformation, cyberbullying, and privacy problems, it's critical to utilize these platforms properly and be aware of the risks. Students in the academic world are frequently assigned essays about the impact of social media on numerous elements of our lives, such as relationships, politics, and culture. These essays necessitate a thorough comprehension of the subject matter, critical thinking, and the ability to synthesize and convey information clearly and succinctly.

But where do you begin? It can be challenging to know where to start with so much information available. Jenni.ai comes in handy here. Jenni.ai is an AI application built exclusively for students to help them write essays more quickly and easily. Jenni.ai provides students with inspiration and assistance on how to approach their essays with its enormous database of sample essays on a variety of themes, including social media. Jenni.ai is the solution you've been looking for if you're experiencing writer's block or need assistance getting started.

So, whether you're a student looking to better your essay writing skills or want to remain up to date on the latest social media advancements, Jenni.ai is here to help. Jenni.ai is the ideal tool for helping you write your finest essay ever, thanks to its simple design, an extensive database of example essays, and cutting-edge AI technology. So, why delay? Sign up for a free trial of Jenni.ai today and begin exploring the worlds of social networking and essay writing!

Want to learn how to write an argumentative essay? Check out these inspiring examples!

We will provide various examples of social media essays so you may get a feel for the genre.

6 Examples of Social Media Essays

Here are 6 examples of Social Media Essays:

The Impact of Social Media on Relationships and Communication

Introduction:.

The way we share information and build relationships has evolved as a direct result of the prevalence of social media in our daily lives. The influence of social media on interpersonal connections and conversation is a hot topic. Although social media has many positive effects, such as bringing people together regardless of physical proximity and making communication quicker and more accessible, it also has a dark side that can affect interpersonal connections and dialogue.

Positive Effects:

Connecting People Across Distances

One of social media's most significant benefits is its ability to connect individuals across long distances. People can use social media platforms to interact and stay in touch with friends and family far away. People can now maintain intimate relationships with those they care about, even when physically separated.

Improved Communication Speed and Efficiency

Additionally, the proliferation of social media sites has accelerated and simplified communication. Thanks to instant messaging, users can have short, timely conversations rather than lengthy ones via email. Furthermore, social media facilitates group communication, such as with classmates or employees, by providing a unified forum for such activities.

Negative Effects:

Decreased Face-to-Face Communication

The decline in in-person interaction is one of social media's most pernicious consequences on interpersonal connections and dialogue. People's reliance on digital communication over in-person contact has increased along with the popularity of social media. Face-to-face interaction has suffered as a result, which has adverse effects on interpersonal relationships and the development of social skills.

Decreased Emotional Intimacy

Another adverse effect of social media on relationships and communication is decreased emotional intimacy. Digital communication lacks the nonverbal cues and facial expressions critical in building emotional connections with others. This can make it more difficult for people to develop close and meaningful relationships, leading to increased loneliness and isolation.

Increased Conflict and Miscommunication

Finally, social media can also lead to increased conflict and miscommunication. The anonymity and distance provided by digital communication can lead to misunderstandings and hurtful comments that might not have been made face-to-face. Additionally, social media can provide a platform for cyberbullying , which can have severe consequences for the victim's mental health and well-being.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the impact of social media on relationships and communication is a complex issue with both positive and negative effects. While social media platforms offer many benefits, such as connecting people across distances and enabling faster and more accessible communication, they also have a dark side that can negatively affect relationships and communication. It is up to individuals to use social media responsibly and to prioritize in-person communication in their relationships and interactions with others.

The Role of Social Media in the Spread of Misinformation and Fake News

Social media has revolutionized the way information is shared and disseminated. However, the ease and speed at which data can be spread on social media also make it a powerful tool for spreading misinformation and fake news. Misinformation and fake news can seriously affect public opinion, influence political decisions, and even cause harm to individuals and communities.

The Pervasiveness of Misinformation and Fake News on Social Media

Misinformation and fake news are prevalent on social media platforms, where they can spread quickly and reach a large audience. This is partly due to the way social media algorithms work, which prioritizes content likely to generate engagement, such as sensational or controversial stories. As a result, false information can spread rapidly and be widely shared before it is fact-checked or debunked.

The Influence of Social Media on Public Opinion

Social media can significantly impact public opinion, as people are likelier to believe the information they see shared by their friends and followers. This can lead to a self-reinforcing cycle, where misinformation and fake news are spread and reinforced, even in the face of evidence to the contrary.

The Challenge of Correcting Misinformation and Fake News

Correcting misinformation and fake news on social media can be a challenging task. This is partly due to the speed at which false information can spread and the difficulty of reaching the same audience exposed to the wrong information in the first place. Additionally, some individuals may be resistant to accepting correction, primarily if the incorrect information supports their beliefs or biases.

In conclusion, the function of social media in disseminating misinformation and fake news is complex and urgent. While social media has revolutionized the sharing of information, it has also made it simpler for false information to propagate and be widely believed. Individuals must be accountable for the information they share and consume, and social media firms must take measures to prevent the spread of disinformation and fake news on their platforms.

The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health and Well-Being

Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of people around the world using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay connected with others and access information. However, while social media has many benefits, it can also negatively affect mental health and well-being.

Comparison and Low Self-Esteem

One of the key ways that social media can affect mental health is by promoting feelings of comparison and low self-esteem. People often present a curated version of their lives on social media, highlighting their successes and hiding their struggles. This can lead others to compare themselves unfavorably, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

Another way that social media can negatively impact mental health is through cyberbullying and online harassment. Social media provides a platform for anonymous individuals to harass and abuse others, leading to feelings of anxiety, fear, and depression.

Social Isolation

Despite its name, social media can also contribute to feelings of isolation. At the same time, people may have many online friends but need more meaningful in-person connections and support. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression.

Addiction and Overuse

Finally, social media can be addictive, leading to overuse and negatively impacting mental health and well-being. People may spend hours each day scrolling through their feeds, neglecting other important areas of their lives, such as work, family, and self-care.

In sum, social media has positive and negative consequences on one's psychological and emotional well-being. Realizing this, and taking measures like reducing one's social media use, reaching out to loved ones for help, and prioritizing one's well-being, are crucial. In addition, it's vital that social media giants take ownership of their platforms and actively encourage excellent mental health and well-being.

The Use of Social Media in Political Activism and Social Movements

Social media has recently become increasingly crucial in political action and social movements. Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have given people new ways to express themselves, organize protests, and raise awareness about social and political issues.

Raising Awareness and Mobilizing Action

One of the most important uses of social media in political activity and social movements has been to raise awareness about important issues and mobilize action. Hashtags such as #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter, for example, have brought attention to sexual harassment and racial injustice, respectively. Similarly, social media has been used to organize protests and other political actions, allowing people to band together and express themselves on a bigger scale.

Connecting with like-minded individuals

A second method in that social media has been utilized in political activity and social movements is to unite like-minded individuals. Through social media, individuals can join online groups, share knowledge and resources, and work with others to accomplish shared objectives. This has been especially significant for geographically scattered individuals or those without access to traditional means of political organizing.

Challenges and Limitations

As a vehicle for political action and social movements, social media has faced many obstacles and restrictions despite its many advantages. For instance, the propagation of misinformation and fake news on social media can impede attempts to disseminate accurate and reliable information. In addition, social media corporations have been condemned for censorship and insufficient protection of user rights.

In conclusion, social media has emerged as a potent instrument for political activism and social movements, giving voice to previously unheard communities and galvanizing support for change. Social media presents many opportunities for communication and collaboration. Still, users and institutions must be conscious of the risks and limitations of these tools to promote their responsible and productive usage.

The Potential Privacy Concerns Raised by Social Media Use and Data Collection Practices

With billions of users each day on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, social media has ingrained itself into every aspect of our lives. While these platforms offer a straightforward method to communicate with others and exchange information, they also raise significant concerns over data collecting and privacy. This article will examine the possible privacy issues posed by social media use and data-gathering techniques.

Data Collection and Sharing

The gathering and sharing of personal data are significant privacy issues brought up by social media use. Social networking sites gather user data, including details about their relationships, hobbies, and routines. This information is made available to third-party businesses for various uses, such as marketing and advertising. This can lead to serious concerns about who has access to and uses our personal information.

Lack of Control Over Personal Information

The absence of user control over personal information is a significant privacy issue brought up by social media usage. Social media makes it challenging to limit who has access to and how data is utilized once it has been posted. Sensitive information may end up being extensively disseminated and may be used maliciously as a result.

Personalized Marketing

Social media companies utilize the information they gather about users to target them with adverts relevant to their interests and usage patterns. Although this could be useful, it might also cause consumers to worry about their privacy since they might feel that their personal information is being used without their permission. Furthermore, there are issues with the integrity of the data being used to target users and the possibility of prejudice based on individual traits.

Government Surveillance

Using social media might spark worries about government surveillance. There are significant concerns regarding privacy and free expression when governments in some nations utilize social media platforms to follow and monitor residents.

In conclusion, social media use raises significant concerns regarding data collecting and privacy. While these platforms make it easy to interact with people and exchange information, they also gather a lot of personal information, which raises questions about who may access it and how it will be used. Users should be aware of these privacy issues and take precautions to safeguard their personal information, such as exercising caution when choosing what details to disclose on social media and keeping their information sharing with other firms to a minimum.

The Ethical and Privacy Concerns Surrounding Social Media Use And Data Collection

Our use of social media to communicate with loved ones, acquire information, and even conduct business has become a crucial part of our everyday lives. The extensive use of social media does, however, raise some ethical and privacy issues that must be resolved. The influence of social media use and data collecting on user rights, the accountability of social media businesses, and the need for improved regulation are all topics that will be covered in this article.

Effect on Individual Privacy:

Social networking sites gather tons of personal data from their users, including delicate information like search history, location data, and even health data. Each user's detailed profile may be created with this data and sold to advertising or used for other reasons. Concerns regarding the privacy of personal information might arise because social media businesses can use this data to target users with customized adverts.

Additionally, individuals might need to know how much their personal information is being gathered and exploited. Data breaches or the unauthorized sharing of personal information with other parties may result in instances where sensitive information is exposed. Users should be aware of the privacy rules of social media firms and take precautions to secure their data.

Responsibility of Social Media Companies:

Social media firms should ensure that they responsibly and ethically gather and use user information. This entails establishing strong security measures to safeguard sensitive information and ensuring users are informed of what information is being collected and how it is used.

Many social media businesses, nevertheless, have come under fire for not upholding these obligations. For instance, the Cambridge Analytica incident highlighted how Facebook users' personal information was exploited for political objectives without their knowledge. This demonstrates the necessity of social media corporations being held responsible for their deeds and ensuring that they are safeguarding the security and privacy of their users.

Better Regulation Is Needed

There is a need for tighter regulation in this field, given the effect, social media has on individual privacy as well as the obligations of social media firms. The creation of laws and regulations that ensure social media companies are gathering and using user information ethically and responsibly, as well as making sure users are aware of their rights and have the ability to control the information that is being collected about them, are all part of this.

Additionally, legislation should ensure that social media businesses are held responsible for their behavior, for example, by levying fines for data breaches or the unauthorized use of personal data. This will provide social media businesses with a significant incentive to prioritize their users' privacy and security and ensure they are upholding their obligations.

In conclusion, social media has fundamentally changed how we engage and communicate with one another, but this increased convenience also raises several ethical and privacy issues. Essential concerns that need to be addressed include the effect of social media on individual privacy, the accountability of social media businesses, and the requirement for greater regulation to safeguard user rights. We can make everyone's online experience safer and more secure by looking more closely at these issues.

In conclusion, social media is a complex and multifaceted topic that has recently captured the world's attention. With its ever-growing influence on our lives, it's no surprise that it has become a popular subject for students to explore in their writing. Whether you are writing an argumentative essay on the impact of social media on privacy, a persuasive essay on the role of social media in politics, or a descriptive essay on the changes social media has brought to the way we communicate, there are countless angles to approach this subject.

However, writing a comprehensive and well-researched essay on social media can be daunting. It requires a thorough understanding of the topic and the ability to articulate your ideas clearly and concisely. This is where Jenni.ai comes in. Our AI-powered tool is designed to help students like you save time and energy and focus on what truly matters - your education. With Jenni.ai , you'll have access to a wealth of examples and receive personalized writing suggestions and feedback.

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So why waste your time and energy struggling to write an essay on your own when you can have Jenni.ai by your side? Sign up for our free trial today and experience the difference for yourself! With Jenni.ai, you'll have the resources you need to write confidently, clearly, and creatively. Get started today and see just how easy and efficient writing can be!

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Social Media Essay: Benefits and Drawbacks of Social Networking Sites

The advent of various social media channels has revolutionized the internet landscape by introducing us to global networking. Today, an individual can connect with another in a completely different part of this world just in a matter of seconds. We will take you through various notions and opinions associated with social media and how they impact our everyday lives. Also, there are some incredible tips to give you a better insight into how to write a social media essay.

Sep 03 2020 ● 8 min read

What is social media essay, how do you write a social media essay, structure of social media essay, various tones of a social media essay, incorporate an attractive topic.

As you know, an social media essay is a piece of writing that is used to introduce an essential topic to the world with its underlying advantages and disadvantages. These aspects are driven solely by facts and should not contain the opinions of the writers. It is drafted to give others a better understanding of the subject in hand.

No matter which subject it pertains to, an essay ends with a conclusion where the writers are permitted to give their opinion after weighing the advantages and disadvantages.

Similarly, a social media essay is written to appreciate the positive aspects and highlight the negative impacts of social media in this time and day. The conclusions include the analysis of the two elements by the writers in their own lives and give an open-ended point of view. Depending upon the essay writer or paper writing service , the decision can be decisive, too, but that is not encouraged.

Today, the use of social networks, whether it is Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, or LinkedIn, has increased exponentially. An average millennial spends 2 hours and 58 minutes per day on social media platforms like Facebook. While some say that the platform is super-informative, others argue that all the information gathered on this platform is trivial and doesn't justify long hours invested in the use of social media.

The above arguments make using social media by individuals with a debatable issue, and this is why a lot of students are required to write an essay on social media. So, here are some incredible tips to help you out in writing an essay on social media even if you don't have marketing skills .

A classic essay consists of 3 parts – the introduction, main body, and the conclusion.

The Introduction

As you introduce the main topic, always begin with how it is relevant to the current scenario. You can do this by providing some background information. The information can be made richer by adding some reliable stats and data . Once you have established the topic, you need to give a strong thesis statement of the hypothesis on which your essay is based.

The thesis statement in your essay should be precise and debatable. If not, the arguments that you are going to put forward in the essay would make no sense.

The main body of your text should consist of logical arguments in relevance to your hypothesis. Make sure you put forward one statement in one paragraph and start a new one with another section. This will make your essay look more organized.

Also, when developing ideas, only include the ones you can write clearly about. If not, avoid them. Make sure that the essay develops coherently.

To conclude the essay about social media, bring back your hypothesis, and state how the aspects you discussed earlier support or nullify it. Make it a point to summarize all ideas, but do not start adding more ideas when you are about to conclude. You can now give an, ideally, open end to your essay.

A great conclusion is the one that provokes thought and will make your readers question the use of social media in their everyday lives.

Also, remember that essays do not have to include pros and cons always. They can either be full of pros or cons or both, depending upon your hypothesis. Just ensure they are relevant.

You might believe that an essay is an essay, and two of them would be similar, but that's a misconception. Different essays have varying tones depending on how the author is treating the thesis statement through the main body of the text. Here are a few examples of essays on social media in different tones.

Sample of a Persuasive Essay

If you are asked to write an academic paper about the effects of social media on the mental health of teenagers and young adults, you should make it persuasive. For this, just writing about the topic is not enough. It would help if you had an impactful thesis, followed by powerful arguments to support or question your theory.

The perils associated with social media addiction are forcing parents and "grown-ups" to throw their benefits in bad light today. In the race to become best in academics and non-academic activities, people are losing their grip on how social networks bring people together. They empower individuals with knowledge about various cultures and languages, which might not have been possible otherwise.

Social media sites can be addictive, and students might waste their formative years scrolling through the trivial feed and gain nothing but superficial knowledge. But that is just because neither parents nor the school is encouraging positive social media behavior. If these institutions start offering tips to students to limit and utilize their time on social media , one would be amazed to see their achievements.

Is social media a catalyst for the downfall of student life? Well, social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and more are teeming with inspirational achievers and content creators who go the extra mile to share their stories and inspire students. If the children are taught to see their access to social media as an opportunity to grow rather than a competition for likes and followers, they are bound to work harder and achieve goals that seemed insurmountable earlier.

Sample of Negative Essay about social media

If you have been asked to highlight the negative aspects of social media, your teacher does not mean that you have to cross all limits to present the use of social media in a bad light. Instead, what they are asking for is some logical and believable arguments that tell us why social media is harmful to society.

Social media is destroying family links by creating a virtual shell for each individual, which dissociates them with their own parents and siblings. The kids are adversely affected by increased access to social media if parents are always indulged in their devices and ignore them. Eventually, even kids start using tools to connect to other people, ignoring their family members.

Since kids and teenagers are the most impressionable age groups, they start believing that everything that glitters on social media platforms is gold, and they become materialistic. Their lives start revolving around likes, comments, and followers/subscribers. No matter whether their minds are prepared for such exposure or not, social media exposes them to the best and the worst about this world, which might turn them into rebels. They start valuing their online friends more than their offline lives and go to unimaginable extents to keep them entertained.

So, parents and elders need to pay attention to their children and limit their social media use so that they can learn to form real relationships and values.

Weighing the pros and cons

Another way in which you can present your social media essay is by comparing the positive and negative aspects associated with it. In such essays, the conclusion is better left open for the readers to decide their own take on social media.

One cannot argue that social media has taken the world by storm by allowing like-minded individuals to connect and share their experiences with the world. You can use these platforms to make new friends and discover the ones who have lost touch. You can talk to everyone on your friend list and share your content on these channels to become a part of the creators' community. There is no dearth for talent on social media and its admirers.

On the other hand, if you use social media sites for long stretches of time in one go, you run the risk of addiction. Gradually, a social media addict starts to build a cocoon for themselves, which they find hard to step out of. This leads to a disconnect between you and the family you already have and love. One might feel too confined yet comfortable in their space that they have no urge left to step out, pushing them towards social seclusion, or worse – depression.

When you flip the coin again, you will discover that social media has become an incredible platform for small businesses to grow and earn good profits . The grass-root companies do not have to invest much for advertising and promotion or even own an establishment. All they have to do is to create a grassroots marketing strategy for themselves, and their brand will start selling in no time!

In the end, social media is a game-changer on the World Wide Web. It allows people to connect with the virtual world with the risk of disconnecting with the real world. Then again, businesses are doing well on these platforms. There are indeed two sides to social media, one positive and another negative, and it is up to you which one you lean towards more.

Argumentative social media essay

A challenging but equally exciting type of essay on social media you should know about is an argumentative essay. It is often written when you are tasked with altering the point of view of the reader, which is of a completely opposite belief. Here is a sample for your better understanding.

Social networks have an uncertain future with the string impression they leave on users, especially the younger generations. Parents panic with the first mention of social media sites by their children and learning about their presence on these platforms because they are afraid of cyberbullying. They do not want their children to get cat-fished by some stranger on Reddit when they are not around.

Moreover, social media platforms are the reason why several individuals are losing their confidential data every day to corporate houses. These businesses are using the information to bug users with ads about stuff they do not want to buy.

If such instances carry on, the day is not far when the government will start to keep checks on the likes of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other channels. Massive surveillance will be imposed on these sites to prevent malicious minds from harming innocent teenagers physically or by hacking into their systems. So, before you get a chance to ask " have I been hacked ", know that someone is taking care of it.

Having an attractive topic for your social media essay does not mean using poetic words in it. You should have an issue relevant to the current scenario. In the process of selecting a fascinating topic, do not forget to keep it within the extents of your knowledge. If it becomes too complicated for you to write about, you will be stuck when coming up with arguments and ideas.

The perfect topic would be the one which offers good potential for research and is interesting for the readers too. Even if you present profound arguments about such topics, they should be in a logical, comprehensible, and readable format for people to understand easily.

Writing a social media essay is no cakewalk, whether you are a high-school student or university student. All you need to do is, structuralize it properly, be clear with the ideas and arguments you are planning to present, pick the tone of your essay, and began writing. Do not forget to top your essay up with a catchy topic so that your entire hard work doesn't fall flat.

Published on Sep 03 2020

Gintaras is an experienced marketing professional who is always eager to explore the most up-to-date issues in data marketing. Having worked as an SEO manager at several companies, he's a valuable addition to the Whatagraph writers' pool.

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Essay: Elucidating the Pros and Cons of Social Media

40 years ago, the idea of virtually socializing with friends via smartphones would have seemed hard to believe. But today, social media has become an indispensable part of our lives. We are especially talking about teenagers, who could not even imagine going out for a luxurious dinner or clubbing, and not posting updates on their social media accounts.

Rise of social media, advantages of social media, disadvantages of social media.

Sample essay

The very first social media site came into existence in 1997 by the name SixDegrees.com. The social site could allow an individual to set up a profile, create connections, and interact via messaging. The same era witnessed the birth of a few other social media sites like Myspace, Facemash, Twitter, and Facebook. From then onwards the trend of social media skyrocketed in a way that it never turned back.

Sixdegrees.com started with the unique idea of allowing people to virtually connect with each other and share their daily updates with each other. Although it started with great hype, due to a lack of people connected to the Internet, networks were limited. However, after the widespread use of the internet, social media also spread like wildfire.

And today, as per statistics, there are more than 4.70 billion users of social media currently around the globe which accounts for almost 60% of the world’s population. It would be no surprise if this percentage further grows in the future as the world continues to be obsessed with social media. Today, even three- to four-year-old kids have a social media account, and that sets a new narrative in the ways of the world.

Today, social media is a one-stop solution for everything. Right from entertaining people, educating the audience, connecting friends, and businesses selling their products and services, social media got it all covered. In fact, today even marketing has become quite synonymous with social media marketing, isn’t it?

Besides, it is interesting to note that the average time spent on social media is 2h 29m daily. In fact, if we talk about millennials, Gen Z or even young kids these days, their daily social media usage may even be in excess of five to six hours. Clearly, the younger generation perceives life as being quite unimaginable without Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat.

Social media active users all around the world

But it is the ultimate rule of the world, that every story has the other side as well. If social media has helped many of us in connecting with our loved ones, it is also true that social media may be the greatest source of negativity or distraction in our lives. With a large influx of fake news on social media along with bullying and trolling, social media seems like a villain at times.

Hence, it is really essential to look at both sides of social media before declaring it a boon or bane for the globe. That being said, this social media essay will effectively highlight the major pros and cons of social media. Alongside this, a sample essay that will describe the role of social media in providing credible information is also provided by the end of the essay. In fact, as a student, you may be asked to write an argumentative essay on social media as a part of your academic assignments.

Given the significance of this topic in contemporary times, it does make an important topic for academic essays. The sample essay included herein can be a perfect template for writing great argumentative essays on social media. So, let us dive right into the essay without further delay starting with the merits of social media.

We would all agree with the fact that social media has changed our lives for the better. There are some incredible and unbelievable advantages of social media that have added great value to our lives.

In fact, during the unprecedented times of COVID-19, social media played a vital role in amplifying the stress calls, sharing quick information and keeping people updated. People could get most of the information they sought on social media. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook aided the global response to COVID-19 in quite a responsible way.

The advantages of social media are in abundance if social media is used for the right purposes and responsibly. We have arranged the pros of social media into different categories for greater clarity and better understanding. So, let us get going!

Social media as a tool for business growth

Businesses have been in a constant run in order to stand out in a highly competitive market of every industry. Besides, Jeff Bezos correctly quoted the present situation of the business world stating, “It's hard to find businesses that do not sell online”. And for selling online, there is no medium as affordable and as easily accessible as social media.

Social media is widely used by entrepreneurs, merchants, and business owners and its usage has drastically increased since the 2020 pandemic. Today, many entrepreneurs and marketers leverage social media for different reasons ranging from social media marketing to hiring. Some of the business benefits of social media are listed below.

Business & product marketing: Social media is currently the top marketing channel. Even 73% of digital marketers stress that their social media marketing efforts are beneficial for their businesses. Social media marketing has helped many businesses in establishing their identities and forming better customer relationships. Along with this, it also effectively delivers a business message to its target audience.

Talent search: In contemporary times, social media is also one of the top sources of talent acquisition . It acts as a connecting bridge between employers and job seekers. Many employers post vacancies on several sites like LinkedIn and Indeed. The best part is that It helps businesses in finding perfect candidates for their businesses that will assist companies in successfully attaining their hiring objectives.

Social media can bring a lot of benefits that can assist in enhancing the growth of businesses. Social media has now become a way for businesses to meet their business objectives with greater assurance. The only need is to understand the benefits of social media usage on businesses' performance in the long run (Hanafizadeh et al. , 2021).

Social media as a platform for education & information

With the help of the internet and social media, the world has become a global village. Besides, in this global village, social media is a primary source of information and news about the latest happenings. A study by the Pew Research Center in 2019 found that more than 54% of American adults used social media to get news and latest information.

Thanks to social media, today, people sitting in the US can access news updates from Australia within minutes via social media. This is the kind of power that social media has in the modern day context as a source of information.

To continue, social media is currently a top preferred destination to learn about products, brands, services, and organizations. Today, 79% of shoppers say that they trust online reviews. Additionally, the same stats also validate that more than 54% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase.

Other than that, rather than chasing companies, many job seekers turn to social media sites like Indeed, CareerBuilder, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor. They do so to find information about employment vacancies in the top companies.

The latest statistics indicate that 86% of job seekers use social media during their job hunt and about 73% of them between 18 and 35 years find a job using a social media platform.

Social media as a platform for budding artists

I am sure you follow some highly talented artists on social media and appreciate their art. In a literal sense social media has inspired passionate artists to follow their heart. We see a lot of young and talented artists leave unconventional careers and bank on social media to find recognition for their talent.

It is amusing to know, there are somewhere between 3.2 million and 37.8 million influencers that are successfully earning through social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook . Clearly, social media has offered a platform for many budding artists to showcase their talents. To reiterate, social media platforms like Instagram are giving budding artists the confidence to pursue their artistic dreams.

Today, young artists have confidence that they can earn greater recognition on social media. More importantly, social media is also helping influencers and artists earn money with platforms’ monetizing features.

Social media as a catalyst for globalization

As discussed above, the world is becoming a global village, and the only reason this has been possible is because of the emergence of different technologies and social media is one of them. In fact, social media became a catalyst for globalization.

To elaborate, social media has allowed people to connect from all around the globe. This easy-to-access connectivity has enabled many people to exchange their cultures and learn and adapt to the uniqueness of other cultures.

For example, an American today can easily connect with yoga instructors in India through social media to learn about Yoga which has been a widely popular form of spiritual discipline in India. This way, social media has allowed people to not only exchange information, thoughts, or ideas but also adapt to different cultures.

Now that you have been quite familiar with the advantages of social media, it is essential to flip to the other side of the coin as well. Hence, the below given are the demerits of social media.

Enhancement of cyberbullying

Cyberbullying, child abuse and related aspects are among the major drawbacks of social media usage worldwide. It is when one uses a social media platform to send threatening or harassing messages or videos to another.

Cyberbullying or cyber harassment has increased in the modern era, especially among teenagers. It can impact sleeping habits and researchers think that it may be connected to suicide among youths.

Widespread fake new

Many studies have pointed to the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation worldwide and 50% of Americans stress that fake news has become a big problem. Apart from that, viral information many times causes defamation to brands and businesses. One of the recent happenings was when Elon Musk pulled out of the Twitter deal, citing fake accounts as one of the major reasons.

Frequent cyber frauds

Apart from that, many studies point to Facebook as a top source of illegal businesses and fake accounts. Facebook currently employs thousands of personnel across to combat misinformation and fake accounts however, many criminals end up setting up new accounts. Besides, millions of social media companies like Meta are primary targets for hackers when it comes to accessing private information. With that, millions are exposed to cyber crimes whenever they log into their social media accounts (Drahošová & Balco, 2017).

Increase in mental health issues

Many social media users are victims of hateful comments that leave them anxious, stressed, and depressed. Celebrities and public figures suffer mostly since their lives are like open books.

To substantiate, one study linked social media use to mental health decline. To be specific, stats show that Facebook access led to a 7% in depression among college students worldwide.

Major source of distraction

Millions around the world fail to accomplish tasks timely or get quality sleep due to the excessive duration they spend on social media. Many individuals and professionals usually get distracted from the intended tasks which even results in inefficiency (Koessmeier & Büttner, 2021).

Social media essay: Sample Essay

Having looked at the different dimensions of social media including the latest statistics, now let’s take a look at what your social media sample essay can look like. You can draw a leaf from the provided social media sample essay and craft one with any additional relevant information to render your essay powerful and fact-filled.

Besides, if you want to read essays on other topics, you can visit our sample essays section and go through some meticulously researched essays.

Introduction

The dynamics of the contemporary world are constantly changing and people are openly accepting the trend of social media and are making it an integral part of their lives. With 10.1% of YOU (Year on year) growth, social media users globally grew from 4.2 billion in January 2021 to 4.62 billion in January 2022 (Chaffey, 2022). People across the globe are using social media for multiple reasons. Other than all the benefits that social media brings along, one benefit is that it can be seen as a credible source of information and news in the modern world. As social media is an affordable and widely accessible medium, people are using it to access information and get the latest information in real time. Even the news generators like politicians and political activists often use social media over mainstream media to get a noteworthy share of news attention on social media networks like Twitter (Andı, 2022). This essay will first highlight the role of social media in getting credible sources of information. Secondly, the essay will also present how social media plays a crucial role in providing instant information in real time.

Body paragraph

Many people are now using social media to raise their voices in terms of different noble causes. Social media is currently an active source of information seeking wherein users are tactful in determining the facts. There are multiple applications that can assist users in determining and preventing malicious spam, and statistical analysis of language to detect spam on trending topics (Sanlad,2020). On the other hand, widespread fake news is also much prevalent on social media platforms. People are using social media platforms to create differences in different communities and cause disputes among them. The main role of fake news is to plant a seed in the head of its target audience and create mistrust and exacerbate the existing different social and cultural dynamics by utilizing the different regional, political, and religious current events. It has various impacts on individuals and society.

However, digital literacy and the closeness of the source can enhance people’s trust in the information received. For example, people tend to easily trust information from their close ones, and relatives. Other than that, if the information comes from people that have a big influence on the related community can also prove the credibility of the news. A person’s popularity can be measured by the number of followers and engagement on social media. Hence, modern news social media users are digitally literate to understand the fact that whether the information is coming from a credible source or not. Hence, social media remains a credible source of information for many users (Nathalia and Kristiana, 2019).

Social media also played a major role in being a mediator of providing instant information to its users. The pace of delivering information in social media is so high that it often happens that social media circulated new information hours before mainstream media gets their hand on the same piece of information. For example, when the pandemic hit the globe, recent updates on medicines or fatalities were circulated on social media a long time before the traditional media streamed the same information. Researches show that the spread of the virus in Italy became apparent significantly earlier on social media than in mainstream media. Similarly, looming stock market crashes or hot topics like BlackMonday were trending on Twitter long before being reported in traditional outlets (Das & Ahmed, 2020). In the meantime, social media has also been one of the biggest distractions in people’s lives. This has not only impacted the concentration power of the people but is also impacting the productivity of the users severely. The Internet and smartphones have allowed people to stay permanently online and permanently connected. As a result, users are constantly distracted from their other work. Earlier studies have clearly shown that multitasking has consistently been associated with poor performance and negative effects due to constant distraction(Koessmeier & Büttner, 2021). However, in spite of being a distraction, social media has been a great way for users to explore different career opportunities or create a career on social media itself like many influencers or content creators did. Other than that, social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Reddit, Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram have played a major role in helping people find and connect with their dream employers. Survey also depicts that 91% of employers use social media for recruiting (CareerArc, 2021). This validates that it depends on the intent of the user to use social media as a distractor or as a place for grabbing the latest opportunities and information.

To conclude, the rapid and constant growth of social media can not be denied in the future as well. The need for people is to effectively understand the merits and demerits of social media meticulously and utilize it for their betterment. Social media has now become a major contributor to providing the latest information to users and people are also relying on social media for getting information and staying connected and updated on the latest information around the world.

Now that you have read this sample essay, you have a clear idea of how to write an essay that gets you great grades. We are sure that you would now be able to excel in all your academic essays.

The Pros and Cons of Social Media

A look at the ups and downs of being so digitally connected to people

University of Ontario
George Brown College

Southern New Hampshire University
Online Dating

Social networking has changed the way we communicate, do business, get our daily news fix and so much more. But is it really all it's cracked up to be?

That depends on who you talk to and how you're using it. A site like Facebook could serve as an opportunistic launching pad for a new business owner, or it could be an inescapable source of negative peer pressure for a young teen. There are pros and cons to everything in life—and that includes our social networking habits.

The Pros of Social Networking

There are a lot of upsides to social networking. Ask yourself how you can take more advantage of the following whenever you decide to check out your favorite social networks.

Connect to Other People All Over the World

One of the most obvious pros of using social networks is the ability to instantly reach people from anywhere. Use Facebook to stay in touch with your old high school friends who've relocated all over the country, use Google Meet to connect with relatives who live halfway around the world, or meet brand new people on social media from cities or regions you've never even heard of before.

Easy and Instant Communication

Now that we're connected wherever we go, we don't have to rely on our landlines, answering machines or snail mail to contact somebody. We can simply open up our laptops or pick up our smartphones and immediately start communicating with anyone on social media or one of the many social messaging apps available.

Real-Time News and Information Discovery

Gone are the days of waiting around for the six o'clock news to come on TV or for the delivery boy to bring the newspaper in the morning. If you want to know what's going on in the world, all you need to do is jump on social media. An added bonus is that you can customize your news and information discovery experiences by choosing to follow exactly what you want.

Great Opportunities for Business Owners

Business owners and other types of professional organizations can connect with current customers, sell their products and expand their reach using social media. There are actually lots of entrepreneurs and businesses out there that thrive almost entirely on social networks and wouldn't even be able to operate without it.

General Fun and Enjoyment

You have to admit that social networking is just plain fun sometimes. A lot of people turn to it when they catch a break at work or just want to relax at home. Since people are naturally social creatures, it's often quite satisfying to see comments and likes show up on our own posts, and it's convenient to be able to see exactly what our friends are up to without having to ask them directly.

The Cons of Social Networking

It's no secret that there's also a dark side to social networking. You may want to ask yourself how you can minimize the following cons of social networking as much and as often as possible.

If social media is your primary source for news and other information, you could end up in a filter bubble, which is when you've isolated yourself from new information and engaging with people who have different perspectives. If you've managed to stay in a bubble of harmful misinformation, it can damage relationships and even be dangerous.

Information Overload and Overwhelm

With so many people now on social media tweeting links and posting selfies and sharing YouTube videos, it sure can get pretty noisy. Becoming overwhelmed by too many Facebook friends to keep up with or too many Instagram photos to browse through isn't all that uncommon. Over time, we tend to rack up a lot of friends and followers, and that can lead to lots of bloated news feeds with too much content we're not all that interested in.

Privacy Issues

So much is shared online these days that issues over privacy are becoming an increasingly big concern. Whether it's a question of social sites owning your content after it's posted, becoming a target after sharing your location online , or even getting in trouble at work after tweeting something inappropriate — sharing too much with the public can open up all sorts of problems that sometimes can't ever be undone.

Social Peer Pressure and Cyber Bullying

For people struggling to fit in with their peers — especially teens and young adults — the pressure to do certain things or act a certain way can be even worse on social media than it is at school or any other offline setting. In some extreme cases, the overwhelming pressure to fit in with everyone posting on social media or becoming the target of a cyberbullying attack can lead to serious stress, anxiety and even depression.

Increased Feelings of Social Isolation

Since people are now connected all the time and you can pull up a friend's social profile with a click of your mouse or a tap of your smartphone, it's a lot easier to use online interaction as a substitute for face-to-face interaction. Some people argue that social media actually promotes antisocial human behavior.

Distraction and Procrastination

How often do you see someone look at their phone? People get distracted by all the social apps and news and messages they receive, leading to all sorts of problems like distracted driving or the lack of gaining someone's full attention during a conversation. Browsing social media can also feed procrastination habits and become something people turn to in order to avoid certain tasks or responsibilities.

Sedentary Lifestyle Habits and Sleep Disruption

Lastly, since social networking is all done on some sort of computer or mobile device, it can sometimes promote too much sitting down in one spot for too long. Likewise, staring into the artificial light from a computer or phone screen at night can negatively affect your ability to get a proper night's sleep.

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27 Social Media Pros and Cons

Social media is a term used to describe a wide range of online platforms and activities where people can communicate and share information, ideas, photos, and videos.

Social media examples include popular sites such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter but also encompass other forms of online communication such as blogging and forums.

It plays a pivotal role in our lives, and most of us use it daily. However, despite social media’s advantages, such as connecting with friends and family worldwide, potential disadvantages of social media should also be considered.

On the positive side, it can help people stay connected with friends and family, build relationships, and follow news stories. It can also be a great platform for self-expression, allowing you to showcase personal interests or talents.

Yet, social media can be a hub for cyberbullying and other forms of online harassment. Moreover, it may lead to overindulgence, sidetracking from important tasks, as well as procrastination.

Pros and Cons of Social Media (Table Summary)

Advantages of social media.

Social media can be a powerful tool for businesses, organizations, and individuals alike due to its ability to connect people and share information quickly.

1. Anyone can publish

Perhaps the best thing about social media is that it’s made absolutely anyone to publish and share their news and information.

Before social media, we were stuck with what’s called “ media gatekeepers ” – people like newspaper editors – who can choose what news people will and won’t consume (Potnis & Tahamtan, 2021).

Nowadays, literally anyone can publish anything online. Editors, governments, and media don’t have a final say over whether people can see it or not.

Of course, this comes with downsides, which we’ll talk about later!

2. Free source of information

Most social media platforms are free, and they’re available on our phones! This has meant information is more accessible than any other time in human history.

In fact, people have become entirely self-taught experts through YouTube channels, Facebook groups, and even from Twitter threads!

Often, the reason this information is free is that you’re the product. Advertisers pay money to get their ads in front of you on the social media scroll feeds.

3. Builds social contacts

It’s so easy these days to meet people online. In fact, many social media platforms have built-in algorithms to help you meet people who have the same interests as you.

The ‘suggested friends’ options on many of these platforms helps people to increase their networks and social capital, which may lead to new friendships, a job, or even a romantic partner!

Furthermore, some platforms like YouTube even act as hubs for people of similar interests to come together into groups – which leads me to the next pro of social media.

4. Lets people find their subculture

Before the internet, people were limited to making friends in their immediate community.

This meant that the shy person who was really into classical music, or the person who loved chess, didn’t really have many other people around them to talk about their hobbies and interests .

But nowadays, we can have dispersed groups of friends around the world based on our subcultural interests . That has enabled small but dispersed subcultures to thrive (for everything from musical taste to philosophical beliefs).

5. Allows the truth to get out

In many societies, governments and establishment media might try to prevent the news from reaching the people.

For example, the government in countries like Cambodia and Syria control the media message. For people in these countries, the only way to access independent news is to use social media. They may also need to use a VPN to access it!

However, keep in mind that freedom to say anything online means that we need to be very critical and assess what is really “the truth” and what is someone’s misunderstanding or propaganda.

6. Excellent communication tool

Social media provide an opportunity to communicate with work colleagues, relatives, and friends living in different cities and countries and make new acquaintances.

Furthermore, by using social media platforms, people can collaborate and share ideas quickly around the world (Laurel, 2016).

For example, if someone is organizing an event, they can easily share updates and make announcements about it on social media. Besides, social media is a great tool for organizing work/school chats and video calls.

7. It can help with self-development

Social networks can be used as a tool for self-development, allowing people to follow inspirational people and content related to their interests.

From blogs about cooking to photography tutorials, many educational resources can be easily accessed through social media.

It is a great way to grow and expand one’s knowledge without leaving the comfort of their home (Laurel, 2016).

So, if a person wants to learn a new skill or expand their knowledge about a certain topic, they can easily access quality content on social media.

8. It can be educational

Furthermore, social networks provide a valuable resource during the learning process.

By using their social media accounts, learners can share lecture notes, laboratory tasks, and other helpful materials with their classmates (Laurel, 2016).

Additionally, students can join a learning community related to their interests. Here they can acquire assistance with complex assignments and ask questions in order to foster knowledge growth.

If a person seeks to master a programming language, for instance, they can join an exclusive group dedicated to the topic and gain valuable insight from more experienced individuals.

9. It can help businesses to grow

Social networks are a platform for business development. People can advertise their online store, web design studio, or rock school here.

Advertising can be aimed at the target audience and people interested in the products or services. Besides, social networks allow communication with customers and potential clients (Paquette, 2013).

With their help, one can get feedback, find out what people like or dislike, and make changes to the product or service.

10. It can improve career opportunities

Social media can help with career growth. Not only can platforms like LinkedIn yield a multitude of job offers, but they can also bridge the gap to accessible international employers.

LinkedIn, in particular, has risen as an invaluable platform where professionals can look up and apply for global employment opportunities with ease (Laurel, 2016).

Secondly, a top-notch portfolio and skillset can be constructed using social media platforms.

For instance, if someone is looking to land a job in graphic design, they can promote their projects and artwork on various social accounts.

11. It can help people stay in touch with news

Social media offer an opportunity to stay informed in real-time with current events, learn more about what is happening worldwide, and access vital work or school-related information.

Twitter and other platforms are useful for getting breaking news straight from sources that you personally trust.

Many social media users would never open a newspaper or log into an actual news website. Nevertheless, while scrolling, they can casually access news sources and inform themselves on what’s going on in the world.

12. Encourages creativity

Social networks have been used by people to share their own creative skills, which can even lead to a career in the creative industries!

From videos and artwork to creative writing, these platforms enable people to share their creative works in an easier way than ever before.

Furthermore, many social media platforms have editing software in them so you can use the platforms to not only share but create. For example, Instagram has editing features built in.

What’s more, these platforms make it simpler than ever to find individuals with similar passions who can relate to one’s work.

13. Acts as a platform for entertainment

Whether for fun or distraction, countless young adults turn to social media as an outlet and discover limitless opportunities for entertainment.

From indulging in their favorite games to streaming movies, the sky’s the limit (Laurel, 2016).

For instance, individuals can join communities and groups focused on their interests, connecting with people who share similar perspectives.

They can converse about anything from ideas to stories or even jokes — it’s a great way to spend time.

Furthermore, different social networks, such as Facebook, have games people can play with friends. In such a way, users can create a fun environment and enjoy spending time with their loved ones.

14. You can earn money

Social media is an incredible asset when it comes to making money. People can easily open their own store or blog and draw customers in from various social networks.

With the right strategy, they’ll be able to maximize returns on investments within no time!

Moreover, some can even become an influencer and promote different products or services. Such collaboration benefits both parties: the person who promotes gets money, and the company increases sales.

15. It can help disarm social stigma

Finally, social media allows people to fight against all kinds of discrimination. It’s an excellent platform to raise awareness about taboo topics and break the taboos associated with them.

For instance, platforms like Twitter create a space for previously silenced individuals to speak out and share their stories without being judged.

In this way, those affected by different social stigmas can find support and join the fight against discrimination.

16. It stores unprecedented amounts of historical information

While a little-thought of pro, this one is big for historians. In the future, we’ll have unprecedented amounts of information about this time in history.

For example, even family history lovers of the future will be able to scour our social media profiles to learn about our lives, hobbies, interests, and even what we thought about different issues of the day.

Social media is a historical archive in the making that our descendants will use to learn all about us.

Disadvantages of Social Media

Despite the numerous and undeniable benefits of social media, there are a few drawbacks worth considering, such as addiction, cyberbullying, data privacy breaches, and the negative effects on physical and mental health.

1. It can lead to addiction

Social media can easily become an addiction that takes over people’s lives.

People often discover themselves scrolling through posts, conversing with peers, and playing games for extended periods without even noticing it.

A recent study validates that overreliance on social media can negatively impact mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem (O’Reilly et al., 2018).

So, it is essential to be aware of how much time users spend online and take steps to ensure the usage of these networks does not exceed reasonable limits.

2. Increase online bullying

Social media provides a platform for people to express their opinions and share personal information. But unfortunately, some people use it as an opportunity to bully others.

Online bullying can be very damaging for people who are on the receiving end. It can cause psychological trauma and even lead to suicide in extreme cases.

Alarmingly, almost half of the adolescents between 13 and 17 in the United States have been victims of cyberbullying at one point or another. 46% experience this type of malicious behavior regularly (Vogels, 2022).

3. Can lead to body image issues

One of the most dangerous traps associated with social media is people’s inclination to compare themselves to those around them.

As a result, people often compare their appearances, lifestyles, and achievements to what they perceive in others’ online presence (Laurel, 2016).

Comparing oneself to others can be detrimental, leading to low self-worth and even depression. It is especially true for adolescents in a vulnerable stage of life.

4. Can be misused for spreading misinformation

Social media can also be a breeding ground for misinformation and propaganda. People have been known to spread lies, rumors, and even unsubstantiated theories with impunity.

This kind of conduct can often be harmful nature and have serious repercussions. For instance, it could threaten the political process, create chaos or even spark violence (Laurel, 2016).

Fake news has the potential to shape individuals’ opinions and beliefs in a detrimental way, allowing misinformation to go unchecked. Unsurprisingly, it can lead to negative repercussions and impede people’s ability to make informed choices.

As a result, people using the internet need to exercise advanced media literacy skills , such as the ability to identify trustworthy from untrustworthy sources.

Read Also: The Pros and Cons of the Internet

5. Can affect relationships

Social media can potentially damage relationships, as people often become overly engrossed in their virtual lives and fail to give adequate attention to their tangible connections.

For example, spending too much time on social media can lead to conflicts between partners. One partner may accuse the other of being too absorbed in their virtual world and not paying enough attention.

6. Can cause sleeplessness

Excessive use of social media can also disrupt sleep patterns.

For example, a study found that people who spend more time on their phones are more likely to have difficulty falling asleep (Alshobaili & AlYousefi, 2019).

Moreover, the blue light emitted by screens interferes with the natural production of melatonin, which is needed for restful sleep (Shechter et al., 2018).

So, staying up late to browse social media can lead to chronic sleep deprivation.

7. Can lead to leaks of private information

A major risk of using social media is the possibility of experiencing an attack that will leak our information to others.

Moreover, people online can use personal information posted on social media to target victims and steal their identifying data.

To combat this, internet users need to exercise their skills in identifying trustworthy from untrustworthy links and sources online.

8. Can be abused by employers

Companies can exploit social media for their own dishonest advantages, such as surveilling their employees and intruding on their internet activities.

This clandestine conduct is often seen as immoral and could endanger one’s right to privacy.

Furthermore, employers can use social media to manipulate or intimidate their employees into performing certain actions.

This kind of abuse not only creates a hostile work environment but also evokes feelings of fear and discomfort in the staff.

9. Can increase stress

Social media can be a source of heavy stress and anxiety, especially when individuals feel the pressure to remain active online and respond quickly to messages.

Furthermore, excessive content on social media could inundate users with too much information for them to handle.

Besides, viewing other people’s posts can result in feelings of jealousy and inadequacy. It is especially damaging for growing youths who are still creating their sense of self.

10. Facilitate laziness

Social media can be a trap, sapping away motivation and resulting in an inactive lifestyle.

People may become so engrossed in their virtual reality that they forget about the actual one around them (Laurel, 2016).

Between scrolling, streaming videos, and gaming online, they may find themselves stuck in a cycle of procrastination that hinders their productivity.

So, social media use should be limited and balanced with other activities.

11. Leads to polarization

Social media gives us more of what we like. So, people end up only seen people or viewpoints that agree with us.

For example, once the algorithm gets to know you, it will only feed you information from your preferred news sources, which may be biased.

This has led, for example, to the contemporary issue of extreme polarization in the United States, and far less people truly understanding people with differing viewpoints. Instead, people live in their own bubbles and make strawmen out of their opponents.

The digital age has revolutionized how people communicate, ingest news, and engage in commerce. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the potential risks associated with social media use.

Social media has many advantages, from reconnecting with family and friends to staying up-to-date on news trends. It’s also a great way to make money or boost career opportunities.

Still, it can also be misused for spreading misinformation, affecting relationships, causing sleep deprivation, leading to cyberattacks, being abused by employers, increasing stress, and facilitating laziness.

To have a secure and satisfying experience with social media, it is essential to take the time to evaluate potential dangers and apply suitable safeguards. It will help users protect their privacy and well-being while interacting online.

Alshobaili, F., & AlYousefi, N. (2019). The effect of smartphone usage at bedtime on sleep quality among Saudi non-medical staff at King Saud University Medical City. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care , 8 (6), 1953. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_269_19

Laurel, I. (2016). Pros & cons of social media . Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.

O’Reilly, M., Dogra, N., Whiteman, N., Hughes, J., Eruyar, S., & Reilly, P. (2018). Is social media bad for mental health and wellbeing? Exploring the perspectives of adolescents. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry , 23 (4), 601–613. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104518775154

Paquette, H. (2013). Social media as a marketing tool: A literature review . https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=tmd_major_papers

Shechter, A., Kim, E. W., St-Onge, M.-P., & Westwood, A. J. (2018). Blocking nocturnal blue light for insomnia: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Psychiatric Research , 96 , 196–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.10.015

Potnis, D., & Tahamtan, I. (2021). Hashtags for gatekeeping of information on social media. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology , 72 (10), 1234-1246.

Viktoriya Sus (MA)

Viktoriya Sus is an academic writer specializing mainly in economics and business from Ukraine. She holds a Master’s degree in International Business from Lviv National University and has more than 6 years of experience writing for different clients. Viktoriya is passionate about researching the latest trends in economics and business. However, she also loves to explore different topics such as psychology, philosophy, and more.

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Chris Drew (PhD)

This article was peer-reviewed and edited by Chris Drew (PhD). The review process on Helpful Professor involves having a PhD level expert fact check, edit, and contribute to articles. Reviewers ensure all content reflects expert academic consensus and is backed up with reference to academic studies. Dr. Drew has published over 20 academic articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education and holds a PhD in Education from ACU.

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this helped a lot with a paper I had to write thankyou.

10 Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media on Society

Nowadays, social media is so popular among the young, children, and adults. Each of us uses social media to be updated, to entertain ourselves, to communicate with others, to explore new things, and to connect with the world. Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, etc. are examples of social media. Social media is a part of our lives today, and consciously or unconsciously, it is becoming our habit to continuously go through it and check the notifications.

10 Advantages and Disadvantages of using social media

What is social media?

Social media is a platform where we can communicate with a large number of people, make connections, and interact with them. It operates on the internet.A user usually creates an account on such a platform and allows interaction with the millions of other users available on it according to their preferences and choices. Apart from the interaction, it also allows users to share information, chat with other people, share their opinions, create content, and embrace their differences.

In today’s world, social media is an important part of young people’s lives, determining and shaping their perspectives.The youth typically adopt and pursue social media trends; for example, in dressing styles, the youth adopt dresses and styles that are promoted as trends by social media.

Social media not only allows people to share their opinions, but it also shapes the opinions of its users.Social media have an impact on their users as well as society as a whole, both positive and negative.

Here we will now discuss the negative and positive impacts of social media on society.

Positive impact of social media on society.

Builds connectivity and connection: Social media facilitates better communication as well as the development of stronger connections and connectivity around the world. One can talk to a person who lives thousands of miles away from him or her. One can also make connections in his or her respective field or area to promote his or her venture, business, or idea. LinkedIn is an example of social media where you can build connections from across the world and increase your connectivity. Hence, social media is not only connecting people within a society but also connecting people from different societies and cultures, allowing them to exchange their values and beliefs.
People are empowered by social media because it educates them, makes them aware of them, and gives them a platform to raise their voices, showcase their talents, and promote their businesses. For instance, people on Instagram not only communicate with each other but are also establishing their small businesses and creating content on various things such as dressing style, make-up, fashion hacks, and educational content. Likewise, on YouTube, people do the same thing except chat and earn money through their talent, opinions, and content. Therefore, social media helps generate employment in society and educate its members.
People are helped both economically and emotionally by social media : Economically, by providing customers to businesses and providing jobs to the unemployed. Emotionally, by demonstrating empathy and love to the people.The person who feels alone should communicate with people online and talk to them. Sometimes, when you post something on your social media account—a sad or happy post—people react accordingly. If you post something sad, people try to cheer you up or console you, and vice versa. Social media in society provides an equal opportunity to be social and interact, especially for those who find it difficult to communicate with others in person.
Knowledge: on social media, people post massive amounts of content on a wide range of issues and topics. YouTube is a platform where you can find information in English, Hindi, or any other language you are comfortable with. From the fundamentals to the advanced, from simple to complex topics, one can learn for free on social media. There are many teachers, motivators, and religious gurus who provide knowledge in various fields and aspects.
Provides new skills: Through social media, you can acquire and learn new skills. You can, for example, learn to knit on YouTube or do it yourself (DIY) on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. You can acquire as many skills as you want: cooking, knitting, floral design, rangoli making, python, ethical hacking, etc. Moreover, learning new skills helps one find work and empowers oneself.
Source to news: social media is a source of news nowadays; people watch news more on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook as compared to news channels and newspapers. People believe that news on social media is more trustworthy and presented in a more interesting format than traditional news channels.
Sharing of ideas: social media allows the sharing of ideas beyond boundaries, nations, and states. Social media facilitates the exchange of ideas about one’s culture, religion, state, nationality, and environment.
Raising funds: social media helps many people raise funds for noble causes. Through the help of social media, people start campaigns for donations for a particular case, and everyone can participate in these donations. For Example, Fundraising for blind orphan children
Creates communities: Social media creates communities of people from various backgrounds who share common interests. People with the same interests connect more with each other. Examples include the science community, the arts community, and the poets’ community. The nature of a community depends on the interests of its members.
Multiple sources of learning: social media is a hub of knowledge where you can learn anything and everything. The education is provided at no cost. There is not only educational or academic learning, but also other types of learning; you can learn how to improve your personality, improve your communication skills, be more confident, and develop your public speaking skills.

Negative impacts of social media on society

Contributes to the digital divide: The “digital divide” refers to the gap between those who can access the internet and those who cannot because of illiteracy, poverty, and a lack of resources. Social media is contributing to this by setting trends and engaging more youth, and youth who cannot access or understand the trends, as well as adults, are falling behind.
Increasing cybercrimes and cyberfrauds : An increase in the use of social media is leading to an increase in cybercrimes and frauds. Cyberbullying, harassment, and stalking are on the rise nowadays, and mostly teenage women are becoming victims of them. Cyber fraud is also on the rise because most people lack digital literacy and are unaware of things like when fraudsters create an account to impersonate someone you know and demand money from you for various reasons.The nature of the frauds varied and could cause confusion and restlessness in your minds.
Negative information, news, and rumours spread quickly: As the elders say, negativity spreads faster than positivity; similarly, false news or negative news, rumours, and information spread quickly and cause chaos and instability in the social order.Because of the rapid transfer of information, false news or information spreads in no time, which furthers the happenings in society. For example, if you come across WhatsApp messages that claim prejudice or hatred against a particular community, they will spread with more intensity and rage. This false claim creates a false image among people regarding the thing, and the false information is spread. Sometimes, it leads to violent situations in society.
Social media affects the mental health of individuals: The stalking, cybercrimes, frauds, and hate comments adversely affect people; problems of depression, anxiety, severe tension, and fear are emerging. Sometimes, the conditions get worse, leading to suicide as well. As Durkheim mentioned, suicide is a social fact; either more or less social involvement leads to suicide in an individual, and social media manifests and roots both. For instance, if a user posts her critical view on a sensitive topic, chances are high that she will feel instant backlash from those who are against her views. Another example is that victims of cyberfraud fear using social media. Because of social media, people get traumatised and spend years of their lives living in that trauma and fear.
People are becoming more addicted to their phones as a result of being disconnected from social reality. People frequently ignore and neglect those around them; they are unaware of what is going on in society because they are constantly immersed in their virtual world, engaging with entertainment and people in their virtual world. People who lack social and communication skills use social media to escape and ignore people in the real world. For instance, we all know a person who has no friends in the real world but has a following of hundreds of thousands on their social media account.
Effects on health: Social media has an impact not only on mental health, but also on physical health. The constant use of screens such as phones, laptops, and tablets directly impacts the eyes by weakening the eyesight. It also negatively impacts our creativity; it basically lessens our level of creativity. The constant use of social media also makes us lazy and less active, as we are constantly using our devices. People also suffer from insomnia, irritation, and the fear of missing out. As Parsons stated, when an individual is sick, it becomes a non-functional member of society, and sickness is socially sanctioned deviance. In our opinion, social media is also making functional members of society non-functional.
Unverified information: While social media is undeniably a knowledge hub, not all knowledge and information on it is correct or verified. Due to the large amount of data present on social media, most of it is unverified, and the chances of receiving false information are high. For example, on Facebook and Instagram, you’ll frequently see a post with the words “more you cry, the stronger you become,” and above or below it, “psychological facts”. People consume this false information as fact. There are enormous posts like this. But, in reality, this is far from factual knowledge or information.
Undermine people: social media do not support people; they often lack support, empathy, and rational behavior. The moment people post something sad or controversial, they start getting backlash, hate comments, and threats, because of which people suffer from anxiety, stress, and depression. People who are unable to follow trends feel isolated. People who are not on social media also feel alienated. People on social media also spread hatred and prejudices against others instead of supporting and appreciating them. People compare themselves to others on social media, which lowers their self-esteem and confidence.
Make conscious decisions about yourself: People post pictures according to socially constructed beauty standards, in which they seem slim, have radiant skin, and have clear lips (by using filters). Other people who are overweight or slimmer, have acne or pimples on their skin, lack makeup skills, and become self-conscious about their bodies. Teens start to diet, go to the gym, and try to maintain the trending body. Adults also suffer from this. People become self-conscious, which leads to feelings of inadequacy about their bodies and appearance.
Increased use of poor language: on social media, people use language that has poor grammar, speech, and spelling. LOL, WYD, etc. words are used while chatting with people on social media. The quality of language is deteriorating, and people are losing their culture.

Conclusion-

From the above discussion, we can conclude that despite the various uses of social media, there are many misuses and negative impacts of it on society as a whole as well as on individuals.

Also read: Why do people share everything online?

Yachika Yadav is a sociology post graduate student at Banasthali Vidyapith. She loves to capture moments in nature, apart from drawing and writing poetries. Field of research attracts her the most and in future she want to be a part of that. She is a good listener, learner. And tries to always help others.

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The pros and cons of social media

Written by by Carly Hill

Published on December 5, 2022

Reading time 12 minutes

Ah social media. As the old saying goes, “can’t live with it, can’t live without it.” As social media platforms have changed over the years (RIP, Vine), so too have the pros and cons of social media.

Not so long ago, brands and executives were still wondering whether they should be on social media at all. But times have changed. Now, social media has gone from a “nice to have” to a “must-have” for businesses, as it has become a core place for audiences to connect, get updates on current events and capture moments.

While social media is, without question, necessary for your business, there are pros and cons that brands and social professionals must grapple with. Let’s talk through what some of those look like, and how to approach them to make the right decisions for your social strategy.

Why social media is good

It’s easy for the negativity around social media to overshadow its benefits. And there are plenty of “pros” to celebrate.

Let’s get into why social media is good, and the positive impact of social media on our lives.

Social media can bring joy

From stories of triumph to funny social media memes , social has the power to spark a smile.

The “It’s Corn” viral trend became a cultural touchstone for friends and strangers alike. Hundreds of brands created their own feel-good content using the song. And its popularity continues, with the “Corn Kid” landing a recent partnership with Green Giant .

@sproutsocial It’s corn. 💚 #cornsong #itscorn #socialmediamarketing #sociamediamanager #socialmediatips ♬ It’s Corn – Tariq & The Gregory Brothers & Recess Therapy

Social media can also spark joy by connecting people with similar interests. #Booktok , for example, has become a flourishing online community. Book lovers go to this hashtag to find new book recommendations, relatable content for bookworms and connect with other readers.

Connect with people (and potential customers) all over the world

There’s a reason 91% of people believe in social media’s power of connection. With 4.2 billion social media users worldwide , social media enables you to reach your next fan or customer—no matter where they are.

Before Sprout, I managed a viral social media campaign at Shedd Aquarium that was so widespread, it reached all seven continents—yes, including Antarctica .

👋 Hello to our penguin friends all the way in the South Pole! 🐧🇦🇶 https://t.co/Qezb4ypgl2 — Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) April 8, 2020

In fact, this is one of the top pros for Assistant Director of Social Media at Orangetheory, Anthony Yepez. “In my opinion, social media’s top pro is the ability to connect organically with your audience and customer base.”

And connecting with your audience goes further than making sales—it builds community, which can save you advertising bucks in the future. “Social gives you the opportunity to get insightful feedback on your product or service all while building a community that can further amplify your digital marketing without having to spend large advertising budgets.”

Enables instant communication

Social media is the number one channel for brands to connect with consumers. If you’re not using it to communicate with them, you’re missing a chance to build relationships.

Especially when you consider that more than three-quarters of consumers expect a response within 24 hours.

Answering questions, responding to comments and acknowledging complaints may seem simple. But it can be huge for your reputation—responsiveness leads to a more favorable view of your company.

Hi there, Chewy eGift Cards are emailed to recipients within one hour after you place your order. You will be prompted to add the email address at the time of purchase. A full FAQ is linked for you below. https://t.co/0x8La21Kb8 — Chewy (@Chewy) November 28, 2022

Leveling up your social customer care goes a long way. And using a tool like Sprout’s Smart Inbox feature makes responding quickly to your audience easy by funneling comments and messages from all of your social media channels into a central, streamlined hub for your team.

A screenshot of Sprout Social's Smart Inbox tool displaying messages from multiple social platforms in one feed.

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Easier to define and reach your target audience

Between demographic data and post analytics, social media is a goldmine when it comes to better understanding your target audience .

As Anthony puts it, “Social media gives you the opportunity to better understand your target audience and their interests so that you can consider that when creating marketing assets for your brand or business.”

The better you know who you’re targeting, the more you can refine your strategy and expand your reach organically. And that can save you serious advertising costs—something your senior leaders will thank you for.

Boosts transparency

Brands that don’t shift to a new business model of transparency are not only at risk of losing consumer trust—they’re at risk of creating a crisis for themselves.

86% of Americans believe transparency from businesses is more important than ever before. And many of those consumers attribute this to social media, and the constant connectedness between consumers and brands.

Increasing transparency always comes with risks. But it also comes with high rewards—more than half of consumers are likely to consider buying from brands that are transparent. And when brands have a history of transparency, 85% of people are more likely to give them a second chance after a bad experience or crisis.

Shoe brand Nisolo does a great job of showcasing what a culture of transparency looks like by sharing their sustainability efforts.

https://www.facebook.com/NisoloShoes/photos/a.141861925897100/4976648182418426

Ability to crowdsource

Social media is an always-on focus group. And social media crowdsourcing —or turning to social for audience opinions, ideas and sentiment—is a powerful way to improve your content, products and your business as a whole.

Social media makes this easy in a few ways. Thanks to social, you can simply ask your audience for their opinions and preferences. (This also happens to be a great engagement booster.)

Let's get spooky. 👻 What is the scariest thing about being a #SMM ? — Sprout Social (@SproutSocial) October 18, 2022

Another method of crowdsourcing ideas is by looking at conversations about your brand and industry. Comments and posts you’re tagged in are a great starting point.

But you won’t be tagged in every conversation about your brand. Using a social listening tool is the best way to uncover conversations and gauge how your audience really feels about your brand, products and industry.

A screenshot of Sprout Social's listening tool showing messages from across Twitter

Promotes social change

Social media has proven that it can change the world. The Arab Spring is one of the earliest examples of social media facilitating real-world protests. Online networks facilitated organizing groups of activists , and played a key role in communicating what was going on to the world.

Social media has also made it easier for more people to get involved in social change. And it’s also enabled large-scale learning for those who were previously unaware of social issues— hashtags have become virtual meeting places and rallying cries for social change.

The positive impact of social media on business

For businesses, your social channels infinitely expand your brand awareness, audience engagement and loyalty and more.

Shoppable social ads have also, in the words of Meagen Johnson at Havas Media , “collapsed the marketing funnel”. In 2022, 98% of consumers said they planned to make at least one purchase through social shopping or influencer commerce.

And businesses are catching on to these benefits. In a recent Sprout survey of 280 marketers responsible for their brand’s social media strategy, nearly half of respondents agree that colleagues outside their social team understand how the social team’s roles add to the brand.

Real-time news and information

Today, social media and journalism go hand in hand. Half of US adults get their news from social media at least some of the time, according to Pew Research.

For journalists, social media is an excellent channel to watch stories as they develop, to share news and even to connect with interviewees.

And during a crisis, real-time news can be a lifeline.

For example, it’s been noted that during major hurricanes, emergency managers use social media to post recovery information before a storm hits to prepare people. Analyzing social media conversation can be pivotal in mitigating effects of a crisis early by better communicating with more vulnerable areas, and even help identify communities that need the most support after a disaster.

Helps connect leaders with constituents

Social media has removed a wall between leaders and their constituents. It’s created an “always-open forum” for constituents’ to voice their questions and concerns.

The bridge between social media and government also provides the same opportunity for government entities to reach constituents for real-time updates. Like the Chicago Transit Authority sharing transportation updates…

[Service Disruption] Blue Line service has been temporarily suspended between O'Hare and Rosemont due to fire department activity. More: https://t.co/Xau7gtardZ — cta (@cta) November 28, 2022

During a crisis, like the pandemic, social media provides a space for much-needed, real-time updates for the general public.

Daily averages, updated: November 14 Confirmed Cases: 399 Hospitalizations: 28 Deaths: 0.29 Emergency Room Visits: 1.9% Hospital Beds in Use: 3.5% Cook County's CDC #COVID Community Level: Medium Chicago's full COVID-19 Dashboard: https://t.co/UrMNMrLjQU #ProtectChicago pic.twitter.com/yOrPdKNJJI — CDPH | Chicago Department of Public Health (@ChiPublicHealth) November 15, 2022

It’s also created an opportunity for entities and leaders alike to humanize themselves, foster community and share community updates—and triumphs. In some cases, official social media channels take on a personality of their own, like the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

It's that time of year. pic.twitter.com/0WSKQm22tN — US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) November 27, 2022

Why is social media bad?

Naturally, we love social media. But we’re not going to ignore the virtual elephant in the room: Social media isn’t always positive.

In this section, let’s go beyond answering the question “why is social media bad?” and dive into a few ways you can curb its negative impact—for yourself, your brand and your audience.

Social media addiction and mental health impacts

As many as 5-10% of Americans today meet the criteria for social media addiction.

Even if you’re not addicted, social media can impact your mental health. As much as it can connect us, it can also make us feel isolated through false expectations and self-comparison.

People who use social media for more than two hours a day were twice as likely to feel socially isolated than those who used it for under half an hour—concerning when you consider that two and a half hours is the daily average

What you can do: When it comes to your audience, insert reminders for your audience to unplug.

You can even provide reality checks, like “Instagram vs Reality” content, to avoid fueling comparison on social.

In today’s world, #SMMs are constantly overwhelmed with a fast-paced and demanding workspace. Take 30-minutes from your day and join us for a camera-off gratitude meditation session. https://t.co/hpVKoMlJ5X pic.twitter.com/EVzza6Vajr — Sprout Social (@SproutSocial) November 14, 2022

And when it comes to mental health for social marketers , here are a few things you can do to protect your own well-being:

Gamify taking social media breaks: Use apps to facilitate focus. The Flora app grows a virtual tree if you don’t check your phone during a set amount of time. You can even set the app to charge you money if you break your focus—talk about incentive.
Set designated time to check social: This helps you set your own boundaries.
Set social media breaks: Instagram has a feature that allows you to temporarily suspend your account until you restart it. And TikTok has a “take a break” feature.
Use social media time trackers: Using screentime apps, which are built into many smartphones, to track how much time you spend on social media can be eye-opening.
Keep your phone in another room: Simple, yet effective.

Filter bubble and misinformation

You already know that social media algorithms fill feeds with posts based on relevance—not necessarily recency.

From a business perspective, this type of feed makes it harder to get your content in front of people without spending money.

From a societal perspective, when you’re only shown posts based on what you’re already interested in, a “filter bubble” is formed. This is where you only ever see topics and viewpoints you’ve already expressed interest in.

At its best, this limits you from learning new things. At its worst, filter bubbles make it too easy to discount opinions other than your own, and for misinformation to spread. Especially given that inflammatory posts rack up algorithm-appeasing engagement faster—even if they’re false.

What you can do: To avoid your own filter bubble, adjust your feeds. Facebook and Instagram allow you to adjust your newsfeed settings from algorithmic to chronological.

And when sharing or researching content for your brand’s channels, scrutinize your sources to limit consuming, or spreading, misinformation.

Lack of privacy

Public social accounts put our identities on display. And that can impact our sense of self and well being—being unsure what people really think of us online can lead to stress and anxiety .

But on the technical side, lack of privacy means your personal information is vulnerable, and can be used against you. And this can have real world implications (think: the Cambridge Analytica scandal ), can lead to data breaches and more.

People are rightfully worried about this. In 2022, 81% of people are more concerned about their social privacy than they were the previous year. As a social media professional, you have your own privacy to worry about, as well as the privacy of your business accounts.

What you can do: There are many ways you can make your accounts more secure:

Use multi-factor identification: This has become a best practice.
Make your own social accounts private: This is a given to limit who can see your information.
Explore privacy features offered by each social platform: For example, you can prevent people from downloading your TikToks. And Instagram allows you to limit who can see your profile, or whether people can see that you’re active. Explore each platform and what they offer to bolster your security.
Use complex passwords: And use different passwords for different accounts.
Make a habit to change passwords: Do this regularly for a security boost.
Store passwords securely: If you need to save passwords, new and old, use an official password manager that will keep them secure and limit access, while allowing you to share passwords with those who need them.
Be careful about using accounts with third-party sites or apps: “Log in with Facebook” is convenient, but it also opens more doors to your data. Limit the third-party sources you give access to.

Scams are prevalent

In 2021, social media was the most profitable way for scammers to reach people—so much so that from 2017 to 2021, reports of fraud on social soared 1,800%.

Getting scammed is a too-easy way to lose money. But it can also lead to privacy breaches—for your personal accounts, and your brand’s. At worst, this could lead to a major brand crisis.

What you can do: At the risk of sounding like a corny security video, the key is to be social savvy. Here are a few things to look out for:

Think twice when a friend or influencer reaches out: If a message seems off, play it safe.
Be wary of weird ads: Shopping scams were the second-most common social media scams in 2021.
Know the signs: Familiarize yourself with recent scams and phishing methods.
Filter comments: Protect your followers, too. When you monitor your social channels, look for and delete obvious scam comments. And teach your team to do the same.
Opt out of targeted advertising: Many social channels allow options for targeted advertising, like Instagram. Explore your options on each platform.

What you share stays with you forever

People, opinions and brands change over time. But the old, cringe-worthy posts in the depths of your timeline are forever.

In some places, there are measures you can take to protect yourself. The EU’s “right to be forgotten” gives people the right to request that search engines de-list some results from search queries related to their name. The US, however, doesn’t have a policy like this.

What you can do: If you’re worried about what your younger self was Tweeting about, setting your accounts to private is a safe step to take. And moving forward, think twice before you post to your brand’s channels.

Social media burnout

When you work in social media, it’s easy to be “always on.” Even Burger King addressed this:

*works in social, always working* — Burger King (@BurgerKing) December 20, 2021

The battle against burnout can feel like treading water. You’re bombarded by algorithm changes, negative comments, the constant news cycle, not to mention changing content formats—something 53% of recent survey respondents said was a major challenge when scheduling and planning content.

Data visualization showing survey results for the top challenges marketers responsible for their company's social media face when planning and scheduling content

And not every social team has the support they need. As Anthony put it, “the perspective that ‘anyone can do social media’ is holding a lot of us back from career growth, along with leadership teams not fully investing in their social media departments.” And less resources means more churn and burn.

What you can do:

Limit your social media usage: Taking social media breaks at home or doing a social detox after hours can help you reset.
Set boundaries: You have a content calendar and social media priorities—stand by them, set boundaries and protect your time when it comes to what you post.
Divide up the work: Even a large social team can get burnt out. In fact, social media teams mark bandwidth as one of their number one struggles . Evaluate how your work is divided up, and where you can source more support.
Create a response protocol: Pre-written response templates and guides make monitoring faster.

Use the pros and cons of social media to inform your strategy

Social media is far from perfect. But it is part of our world. While there will always be risks, there are so many ways to emphasize the positive impact of social media—for your brand, your audience and for yourself.

Make social media your ally. Learn how to get the most out of the digital space we all occupy by leveling up your social media marketing strategy .

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Essay on Social Media: Top 5 pros and cons of social media

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Essay on social media: top 5 pros and cons of social media.

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Published On: June 24 ,2021

Pros of Social Media:

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The Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research

The Pros and Cons of Social Media for Youth

A new review article looks at how social media affects well-being in youth...

Posted October 16, 2021 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma

Social media has both positive and negative effects on well-being in youth.
Social media impacts four distinct areas for youth: connections, identity, learning, and emotions.

More than 90 percent of teenagers in the U.S. have a smartphone. Access to this type of technology and social networking changes the playing field for young people who are simultaneously developing a sense of identity and new social relationships.

We have certainly heard about the downside of teens and smartphones: cyberbullying, anxiety , and a misrepresented sense of body image . Research demonstrates there are some benefits too, including the ability to keep in touch with friends and loved ones – especially when the COVID-19 pandemic limited in-person social interactions.

A new systematic review published in the journal Adolescent Research Review combines the evidence from qualitative studies that investigate adolescent social media use.

The authors found, in short, that the links between adolescent well-being and social media are complicated and depend on a broad range of factors.

“Adults have always been concerned about how the latest technology will harm children,” said Amanda Purington, director of evaluation and research for ACT for Youth in the BCTR and a doctoral candidate in Cornell’s Social Media Lab. “This goes back to radio programs, comic books, novels – you name it, adults were worried about it. The same is now true for social media. And yes, there are concerns – there are many potential risks and harms. But there are potential benefits, too.”

Reviewing 19 studies of young people ages 11 to 20, the authors identified four major themes related to social media and well-being that ultimately affected aspects of young people’s mental health and sense of self.

The first theme, connections, describes how social media either supports or hinders young people’s relationships with their peers, friends, and family. The studies in the review provided plenty of examples of ways that social media helped youth build connections with others. Participants reported that social media helped to create intimacy with friends and could improve popularity. Youth who said they were shy reported having an easier time making friends through social media. Studies also found social media was useful in keeping in touch with family and friends who live far away and allowing groups to communicate in masse. In seven papers, participants identified social media as a source of support and reassurance.

In 13 of the papers, youth reported that social media also harmed their connections with others. They provided examples of bullying and threats and an atmosphere of criticism and negativity during social media interactions. Youth cited the anonymity of social media as part of the problem, as well as miscommunication that can occur online.

Study participants also reported a feeling of disconnection associated with relationships on social media. Some youth felt rejected or left out when their social media posts did not receive the feedback they expected. Others reported feeling frustrated, lonely , or paranoid about being left out.

The second theme, identity, describes how adolescents are supported or frustrated on social media in trying to develop their identities.

Youth in many of the studies described how social media helped them to “come out of their shells” and express their true identities. They reported liking the ability to write and edit their thoughts and use images to express themselves. They reported that feedback they received on social media helped to bolster their self-confidence and they reported enjoying the ability to look back on memories to keep track of how their identity changed over time.

In eight studies, youth described ways that social media led to inauthentic representations of themselves. They felt suspicious that others would use photo editing to disguise their identities and complained about how easy it was to deliver communications slyly, rather than with the honesty required in face-to-face communication. They also felt self-conscious about posting selfies, and reported that the feedback they received would affect their feelings of self-worth .

The third theme, learning, describes how social media use supports or hinders education . In many studies, participants reported how social media helped to broaden their perspectives and expose them to new ideas and topics. Many youths specifically cited exposure to political and social movements, such as Black Lives Matter.

On the flip side, youth in five studies reported that social media interfered with their education. They said that phone notifications and the pressure to constantly check in on social media distracted them from their studies. Participants reported that they found it difficult to spend quiet time alone without checking their phones. Others said the 24-7 nature of social media kept them up too late at night, making it difficult to get up for school the next day.

The fourth theme, emotions, describes the ways that social media impacts young people’s emotional experiences in both positive and negative ways. In 11 papers, participants reported that social media had a positive effect on their emotions. Some reported it improved their mood, helped them to feel excited, and often prompted laughter . (Think funny animal videos.) Others reported that social media helped to alleviate negative moods, including annoyance, anger , and boredom . They described logging onto social media as a form of stress management .

But in nearly all of the papers included in the review, participants said social media was a source of worry and pressure. Participants expressed concern about judgment from their peers. They often felt embarrassed about how they looked in images. Many participants expressed worry that they were addicted to social media. Others fretted about leaving a digital footprint that would affect them later in life. Many participants reported experiencing pressure to constantly respond and stay connected on social media. And a smaller number of participants reported feeling disturbed by encountering troubling content, such as self-harm and seeing former partners in new relationships.

“As this review article highlights, social media provides spaces for adolescents to work on some of the central developmental tasks of their age, such as forming deeper connections with peers and exploring identity,” Purington said. “I believe the key is to help youth maximize these benefits while minimizing risks, and we can do this by educating youth about how to use social media in ways that are positive, safe, and prosocial.”

The take-home message: The body of evidence on social media and well-being paints a complicated picture of how this new technology is affecting youth. While there are certainly benefits when young people use social media, there is also a broad range of pressures and negative consequences.

The Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research at Cornell University is focused on using research findings to improve health and well-being of people at all stages of life.

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Essay on Advantages And Disadvantages of Social Media

Updated on
Jan 29, 2024

Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media

‘Social media is not about the exploitation of technology but service to community.’ Simon Mainwaring.

Essay on Social Media: According to a 2022 study, an average Indian user on the internet spent 194 minutes daily on social media platforms. Social Media has become an integral part of our lives, sometimes very informative and a great tool for education. On the other hand, there are several disadvantages of social media which make us vulnerable to the content offered on these platforms. Every minute we spend on social media scrolling people and their content can have a lasting impact on our mental health. In this essay on the advantages and disadvantages of social media , we will try to cover all the domains of online platforms.

Table of Contents

1 What is Social Media?
2.1 Advantages of Social Media
2.2 Disadvantages of Social Media
3 Short Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media
4 Paragraph on Social Media

Also Read: Essay on Morning Walk for Students

What is Social Media?

Social media are online platforms and applications that allow us to create and share content, and participate in social networking activities. These platforms facilitate the creation and exchange of user-generated content, such as text posts, images, videos, and other multimedia, enabling individuals and groups to connect, communicate , and interact with each other in virtual communities and networks.

Social media platforms have become essential tools for businesses, organizations, and individuals to promote their products, services, and personal brands, as well as to connect with their audiences and communities.

Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media in 300 Words

All the hours we spend on social media offer us exposure to the latest trends and activities across the globe. Our traditional way of communication and sharing information has been revolutionized by social media. Everybody agrees that social media platforms offer us information and lessons that we might not be able to grasp from books or experts. But the scale or balance of social media is tilted towards the disadvantages it offers us. This essay on advantages and disadvantages of social media highlights all the aspects.

Advantages of Social Media

The advantages of social media include easy and instantaneous communication. It helps people connect with friends, family, and colleagues regardless of geographical barriers.
It allows users to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas with a broader audience, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Social media serves as a platform for networking and professional growth, enabling individuals to connect with potential employers, clients, and business partners.
It plays a crucial role in spreading awareness and information. It disseminates news, promotes social causes, and raises awareness about important issues.

Also Read: Essay on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Disadvantages of Social Media

With all the advantages of social media listed above, it also brings certain disadvantages.

Misleading and fake information is one of the major disadvantages of social media. This can have serious consequences, including the spread of misinformation during crises or the manipulation of public opinion.
Excessive use of social media can lead to addiction and negative impacts on mental health.
Constant exposure to curated and often idealized versions of others’ lives can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
It can also lead to decreased productivity and social isolation, as some users may prioritize virtual interactions over real-life relationships.
Another concern is privacy issues and data breaches. We as users share personal information, making us vulnerable to data breaches and invasions of our privacy. This can lead to identity theft and other cybercrimes, posing significant risks to users’ security and well-being.

Short Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media

No matter how many hours or minutes you spend on social media every day, if you have an online account, where your details are stored, it is likely to be compromised. Every day we hear news about data breaches. In 2020, the Indian Government banned more than 270 mobile apps citing security reasons.

Social media serves as a powerful platform for disseminating information and raising awareness about various issues. It provides a space for professionals to connect with like-minded individuals and potential employers. It offers businesses a cost-effective way to promote their products and services to a global audience.

At individual and government levels, everybody wants their data to be protected. From security concerns to mental health problems, social media brings a lot of disadvantages, which we often ignore. That is why the ‘Digital Personal Data Protecting Act’ passed by the Government of India ensures user safety and grants rights to data principals. This includes the right to know what personal data is processed, the right to data deletion, and the right to correct or update inaccurate personal data.

Paragraph on Social Media

Here are some of the popular advantages of social media: Enhanced Connectivity with friends, family, and acquaintances from all around the world; Dissemination of information and raising awareness about various issues; Space for professionals to connect with like-minded individuals; It offers businesses a cost-effective way to promote their products, etc.

Here are some of the disadvantages of social media: Cybercriminals carry out various online scams and phishing attacks; Addiction and Time Wastage; Negative Impact on Mental Health, etc.

To write an essay on the advantages and disadvantages of social media, you need to describe what social media is, and how it has revolutionized our ways of communication, disseminates news, promotes social causes, and raises awareness about important issues. Apart from its advantages, describe its disadvantages, such as security issues, cyberbullying and online harassment, addition and time wastage, etc.

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu .

Shiva Tyagi

With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

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Open access
Published: 06 July 2023

Pros & cons: impacts of social media on mental health

Ágnes Zsila 1 , 2 &
Marc Eric S. Reyes ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-5280-1315 3

BMC Psychology volume 11 , Article number: 201 ( 2023 ) Cite this article

378k Accesses

13 Citations

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The use of social media significantly impacts mental health. It can enhance connection, increase self-esteem, and improve a sense of belonging. But it can also lead to tremendous stress, pressure to compare oneself to others, and increased sadness and isolation. Mindful use is essential to social media consumption.

Social media has become integral to our daily routines: we interact with family members and friends, accept invitations to public events, and join online communities to meet people who share similar preferences using these platforms. Social media has opened a new avenue for social experiences since the early 2000s, extending the possibilities for communication. According to recent research [ 1 ], people spend 2.3 h daily on social media. YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat have become increasingly popular among youth in 2022, and one-third think they spend too much time on these platforms [ 2 ]. The considerable time people spend on social media worldwide has directed researchers’ attention toward the potential benefits and risks. Research shows excessive use is mainly associated with lower psychological well-being [ 3 ]. However, findings also suggest that the quality rather than the quantity of social media use can determine whether the experience will enhance or deteriorate the user’s mental health [ 4 ]. In this collection, we will explore the impact of social media use on mental health by providing comprehensive research perspectives on positive and negative effects.

Social media can provide opportunities to enhance the mental health of users by facilitating social connections and peer support [ 5 ]. Indeed, online communities can provide a space for discussions regarding health conditions, adverse life events, or everyday challenges, which may decrease the sense of stigmatization and increase belongingness and perceived emotional support. Mutual friendships, rewarding social interactions, and humor on social media also reduced stress during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 4 ].

On the other hand, several studies have pointed out the potentially detrimental effects of social media use on mental health. Concerns have been raised that social media may lead to body image dissatisfaction [ 6 ], increase the risk of addiction and cyberbullying involvement [ 5 ], contribute to phubbing behaviors [ 7 ], and negatively affects mood [ 8 ]. Excessive use has increased loneliness, fear of missing out, and decreased subjective well-being and life satisfaction [ 8 ]. Users at risk of social media addiction often report depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem [ 9 ].

Overall, findings regarding the impact of social media on mental health pointed out some essential resources for psychological well-being through rewarding online social interactions. However, there is a need to raise awareness about the possible risks associated with excessive use, which can negatively affect mental health and everyday functioning [ 9 ]. There is neither a negative nor positive consensus regarding the effects of social media on people. However, by teaching people social media literacy, we can maximize their chances of having balanced, safe, and meaningful experiences on these platforms [ 10 ].

We encourage researchers to submit their research articles and contribute to a more differentiated overview of the impact of social media on mental health. BMC Psychology welcomes submissions to its new collection, which promises to present the latest findings in the emerging field of social media research. We seek research papers using qualitative and quantitative methods, focusing on social media users’ positive and negative aspects. We believe this collection will provide a more comprehensive picture of social media’s positive and negative effects on users’ mental health.

Data Availability

Not applicable.

Statista. (2022). Time spent on social media [Chart]. Accessed June 14, 2023, from https://www.statista.com/chart/18983/time-spent-on-social-media/ .

Pew Research Center. (2023). Teens and social media: Key findings from Pew Research Center surveys. Retrieved June 14, 2023, from https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/04/24/teens-and-social-media-key-findings-from-pew-research-center-surveys/ .

Boer, M., Van Den Eijnden, R. J., Boniel-Nissim, M., Wong, S. L., Inchley, J. C.,Badura, P.,… Stevens, G. W. (2020). Adolescents’ intense and problematic social media use and their well-being in 29 countries. Journal of Adolescent Health , 66(6), S89-S99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.02.011.

Marciano L, Ostroumova M, Schulz PJ, Camerini AL. Digital media use and adolescents’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health. 2022;9:2208. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.641831 .

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Naslund JA, Bondre A, Torous J, Aschbrenner KA. Social media and mental health: benefits, risks, and opportunities for research and practice. J Technol Behav Sci. 2020;5:245–57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-020-00094-8 .

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Harriger JA, Thompson JK, Tiggemann M. TikTok, TikTok, the time is now: future directions in social media and body image. Body Image. 2023;44:222–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.12.005 .

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Chi LC, Tang TC, Tang E. The phubbing phenomenon: a cross-sectional study on the relationships among social media addiction, fear of missing out, personality traits, and phubbing behavior. Curr Psychol. 2022;41(2):1112–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-0135-4 .

Valkenburg PM. Social media use and well-being: what we know and what we need to know. Curr Opin Psychol. 2022;45:101294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.101294 .

Bányai F, Zsila Á, Király O, Maraz A, Elekes Z, Griffiths MD, Urbán R, Farkas J, Rigó P Jr, Demetrovics Z. Problematic social media use: results from a large-scale nationally representative adolescent sample. PLoS ONE. 2017;12(1):e0169839. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0169839 .

American Psychological Association. (2023). APA panel issues recommendations for adolescent social media use. Retrieved from https://apa-panel-issues-recommendations-for-adolescent-social-media-use-774560.html .

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Acknowledgements

Ágnes Zsila was supported by the ÚNKP-22-4 New National Excellence Program of the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund.

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Institute of Psychology, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary

Ágnes Zsila

Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary

Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, 1008, Philippines

Marc Eric S. Reyes

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AZ conceived and drafted the Editorial. MESR wrote the abstract and revised the Editorial. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Marc Eric S. Reyes .

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Zsila, Á., Reyes, M.E.S. Pros & cons: impacts of social media on mental health. BMC Psychol 11 , 201 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01243-x

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Social Media Pros and Cons: [Essay Example], 889 words
Disadvantages of Social Media. There are advantages and disadvantages of everything on a human being. Some disadvantages are cyberbullying, hacking, fraud, scams, security issues, reputation, privacy, health issues etc. Disadvantages can cause deaths. Today's society is so influenced of social media that they spend their whole day on surfing ...
Essay on Social Media
500+ Words Essay on Social Media. Social media is a tool that is becoming quite popular these days because of its user-friendly features. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more are giving people a chance to connect with each other across distances. In other words, the whole world is at our fingertips all thanks to ...
Essay on Pros and Cons of Social Media
250 Words Essay on Pros and Cons of Social Media Introduction. Social media has become an integral part of modern society, shaping the way we communicate, learn, and engage with the world around us. Yet, it is a double-edged sword, with its advantages and disadvantages intricately linked. Pros of Social Media
Social Media Essay: Advantages & Disadvantages
Here's a social media essay highlighting the power of social media as well as its negative effects, dangers, and social impact that it has on society. Programs. ... Our social media essay will help shed light on the pros and cons associated with social media and the way it has changed the world. It is a highly debatable topic and thus here's ...
6 Example Essays on Social Media
People's reliance on digital communication over in-person contact has increased along with the popularity of social media. Face-to-face interaction has suffered as a result, which has adverse effects on interpersonal relationships and the development of social skills. Decreased Emotional Intimacy.
Pros and Cons of Social Media Essay
Long Essay on Pros and Cons of Social Media 500 Words in English. Long Essay on Pros and Cons of Social Media is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10. People socialize and interact with others in their day to day life, be it their family, friends, colleagues, or it can even be strangers.
Social Media Essay: Benefits and Drawbacks of Social ...
Social Media Essay: Benefits and Drawbacks of Social Networking Sites. The advent of various social media channels has revolutionized the internet landscape by introducing us to global networking. Today, an individual can connect with another in a completely different part of this world just in a matter of seconds.
Essay: Elucidating the Pros and Cons of Social Media
That being said, this social media essay will effectively highlight the major pros and cons of social media. Alongside this, a sample essay that will describe the role of social media in providing credible information is also provided by the end of the essay. In fact, as a student, you may be asked to write an argumentative essay on social ...
The Pros and Cons of Social Media
Connect to Other People All Over the World. One of the most obvious pros of using social networks is the ability to instantly reach people from anywhere. Use Facebook to stay in touch with your old high school friends who've relocated all over the country, use Google Meet to connect with relatives who live halfway around the world, or meet ...
27 Social Media Pros and Cons (2024)
Cons of Social Media. Anyone can publish their thoughts online. It can lead to addiction. It is a free source of information. It can increase online bullying. It can help us make social contacts. It can lead to body image issues. It lets people find their subcultural groups. It can be misused to spread misinformation.
10 Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media on Society
Sometimes, it leads to violent situations in society. Social media affects the mental health of individuals: The stalking, cybercrimes, frauds, and hate comments adversely affect people; problems of depression, anxiety, severe tension, and fear are emerging. Sometimes, the conditions get worse, leading to suicide as well.
The Pros and Cons of Social Media
Scams are prevalent. In 2021, social media was the most profitable way for scammers to reach people—so much so that from 2017 to 2021, reports of fraud on social soared 1,800%. Getting scammed is a too-easy way to lose money. But it can also lead to privacy breaches—for your personal accounts, and your brand's.
Essay on Social Media: Top 5 pros and cons of social media
4. 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. 5. Time Consuming: Social media has made the teenagers to lose the emotional connection with their families and friends.
The Pros and Cons of Social Media for Youth
Key points. Social media has both positive and negative effects on well-being in youth. Social media impacts four distinct areas for youth: connections, identity, learning, and emotions. More than ...
Pros and Cons of Social Media Essay
The Pros Of Social Media. One of the most notable pros of social media is its ability to connect people all over the world. With just a few clicks, you can instantly connect with family members or friends who live thousands of miles away. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter allow us to keep up with our loved ones in real time.
Pros & Cons Of Social Media: Free Essay Example, 1576 words
Pros. As mentioned above, social media has given the society a new platform to access any type of information. Studies have shown that information spreads quicker from social media as Patel 2compared to any other media. "78.5% of traditional media reporters polled used social media to check for breaking news" (www.procon.org).
Social media brings benefits and risks to teens. Here's how psychology
APA's Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence makes these recommendations based on the scientific evidence to date: Youth using social media should be encouraged to use functions that create opportunities for social support, online companionship, and emotional intimacy that can promote healthy socialization.
Essay on Advantages And Disadvantages of Social Media
Essay on Social Media: According to a 2022 study, an average Indian user on the internet spent 194 minutes daily on social media platforms. Social Media has become an integral part of our lives, sometimes very informative and a great tool for education. On the other hand, there are several disadvantages of social media which make us vulnerable to the content offered on these platforms.
Pros & cons: impacts of social media on mental health
Benefits. The use of social media significantly impacts mental health. It can enhance connection, increase self-esteem, and improve a sense of belonging. But it can also lead to tremendous stress, pressure to compare oneself to others, and increased sadness and isolation. Mindful use is essential to social media consumption.
Social Media Advantages and Disadvantages IELTS Essay
Social Media definitely has a positive side as well for the people using it. One of the most significant advantages, or probably the reason why the concept was created, was to communicate. Social media helps us contact/stay in touch with people we love, celebrities who we admire, or connect with new individuals.
Social Media: Pros and Cons Free Essay Example
Social Media: Pros and Cons. First of all, one of the main advantages is that social media allows us to update ourselves from the latest happenings and news around the world. Sometimes medias like television, newspaper may bring out false information, and they are usually slow, but by using social network sites we can get information quickly ...

Social Media Pros and Cons

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6 Example Essays on Social Media | Advantages, Effects, and Outlines

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6 Examples of Social Media Essays

The Impact of Social Media on Relationships and Communication

Positive Effects:

Negative Effects:

Conclusion:

The Role of Social Media in the Spread of Misinformation and Fake News

The Pervasiveness of Misinformation and Fake News on Social Media

The Influence of Social Media on Public Opinion

The Challenge of Correcting Misinformation and Fake News

The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health and Well-Being

Comparison and Low Self-Esteem

Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

Social Isolation

Addiction and Overuse

The Use of Social Media in Political Activism and Social Movements

Raising Awareness and Mobilizing Action

Connecting with like-minded individuals

Challenges and Limitations

The Potential Privacy Concerns Raised by Social Media Use and Data Collection Practices

Data Collection and Sharing

Lack of Control Over Personal Information

Personalized Marketing

Government Surveillance

The Ethical and Privacy Concerns Surrounding Social Media Use And Data Collection

Effect on Individual Privacy:

Responsibility of Social Media Companies:

Better Regulation Is Needed

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Social Media Essay: Benefits and Drawbacks of Social Networking Sites

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Table of Contents

Social media as a tool for business growth

Social media as a platform for education & information

Social media as a platform for budding artists

Social media as a catalyst for globalization

Enhancement of cyberbullying

Widespread fake new

Frequent cyber frauds

Increase in mental health issues

Major source of distraction

Social media essay: Sample Essay

Introduction

Body paragraph