Friend or foe: two sides of social media
Social media is ingrained into our society, and with over 2.8 billion people using social media, I think it's safe to say that it has a pretty big influence in how we spend our time - even more so now that everyone is in Lockdown and given not many other options in terms of activities to take up our time at home. However, there are pros and cons to social media and the effects it can have on how we behave and our mental health. It's worth considering, some of these pros and cons, so that you can judge for yourself how much time you want to commit to the use of social media.
Pros:
1) People can stay connected with their friends and family using apps like Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Houseparty etc. You can video chat, message and share media with your friends and family - no matter the distance - which can be especially important during this extended period of separation.
2) People can express themselves and their individuality by sharing pictures and other forms of media. Many people feel liberated by being able to post what they want on social media and have others relate and support them.
3) People can connect with others who share the same interests and hobbies. Social media is a hotbed for pages dedicated to specific hobbies or trends and makes it terribly easy to find others with the same interests as yourself.
4) People can be as creative as they want.
You can come up with new ideas, or take inspiration from others and put their own spin on an idea. Social media can be used to post any form of expression or creative media, from poems, to songs, to pieces of art.
Cons:
1)While being a place for self expression and confidence to grow, social media can also have negative effects on users' mental health. There is often a pressure on how many like you get on your posts, or how many comments you get and whether you are getting more than your friends. People can start doubting their self-worth and popularity. However'if you focus on showing your unique character and only follow your friends on social media, you won't need to worry because you will know you have their support and love, no matter the number of your likes.
2) Young people are often pressured by Social Media to look a certain way or act a certain way as a result of the easy access that they have to influencers and models' pages, however, this can be controlled and limited. It is important, however, to ensure you are not too young when using social media and always adhering to the legal age requirements of each app.
3) It could be dangerous. There is a chance of danger in the sense that people who you do not personally know could access your data, especially if you don’t have a private account that only your friends can see. However, this danger can be limited, you just need to weary of what you are posting. For example: don't post any pictures of yourself in school uniform or in any location around your home that has a definable landmark.
4) People can easily lie. There is a term which is used on social media called 'catfishing'. essentially, 'catfishing' is where someone pretends to be someone else by posting falsified images to their account and using a different name. This is easy as they don't have to physically see the people they are talking to and can hide behind their screens. This is why it is so important your accounts are private and you only talk to people who you have met in person. And most importantly, that you NEVER meet up with anyone you meet on social media without the supervision and permission of an adult.
5) It is an easy way to bully people. Cyber bullying is bad because a person feels like they can never escape from it because it is everywhere on their phone. Cyber bullying shouldn’t be tolerated and if you know of someone being cyber bullied speak up, get help from an adult and reach out to that person. However, an easy way of avoiding cyber bullying is by blocking anyone you don't want to hear from. This way you never even receive any of their messages, comments or notifications of any kind.
Do spend some time thinking about both the good and bad effects of social media, and choose carefully how and when to partake in the world-wide event of sharing, tweeting, liking, face-timing and texting.
By Emma Hills, Y8
Pros:
1) People can stay connected with their friends and family using apps like Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Houseparty etc. You can video chat, message and share media with your friends and family - no matter the distance - which can be especially important during this extended period of separation.
2) People can express themselves and their individuality by sharing pictures and other forms of media. Many people feel liberated by being able to post what they want on social media and have others relate and support them.
3) People can connect with others who share the same interests and hobbies. Social media is a hotbed for pages dedicated to specific hobbies or trends and makes it terribly easy to find others with the same interests as yourself.
4) People can be as creative as they want.
You can come up with new ideas, or take inspiration from others and put their own spin on an idea. Social media can be used to post any form of expression or creative media, from poems, to songs, to pieces of art.
Cons:
1)While being a place for self expression and confidence to grow, social media can also have negative effects on users' mental health. There is often a pressure on how many like you get on your posts, or how many comments you get and whether you are getting more than your friends. People can start doubting their self-worth and popularity. However'if you focus on showing your unique character and only follow your friends on social media, you won't need to worry because you will know you have their support and love, no matter the number of your likes.
2) Young people are often pressured by Social Media to look a certain way or act a certain way as a result of the easy access that they have to influencers and models' pages, however, this can be controlled and limited. It is important, however, to ensure you are not too young when using social media and always adhering to the legal age requirements of each app.
3) It could be dangerous. There is a chance of danger in the sense that people who you do not personally know could access your data, especially if you don’t have a private account that only your friends can see. However, this danger can be limited, you just need to weary of what you are posting. For example: don't post any pictures of yourself in school uniform or in any location around your home that has a definable landmark.
4) People can easily lie. There is a term which is used on social media called 'catfishing'. essentially, 'catfishing' is where someone pretends to be someone else by posting falsified images to their account and using a different name. This is easy as they don't have to physically see the people they are talking to and can hide behind their screens. This is why it is so important your accounts are private and you only talk to people who you have met in person. And most importantly, that you NEVER meet up with anyone you meet on social media without the supervision and permission of an adult.
5) It is an easy way to bully people. Cyber bullying is bad because a person feels like they can never escape from it because it is everywhere on their phone. Cyber bullying shouldn’t be tolerated and if you know of someone being cyber bullied speak up, get help from an adult and reach out to that person. However, an easy way of avoiding cyber bullying is by blocking anyone you don't want to hear from. This way you never even receive any of their messages, comments or notifications of any kind.
Do spend some time thinking about both the good and bad effects of social media, and choose carefully how and when to partake in the world-wide event of sharing, tweeting, liking, face-timing and texting.
By Emma Hills, Y8