Social Media Advantages And Disadvantages
(Syeda Kaneez Fatima, Karachi)
Scial media has grown
tremendously in the last few years. From 2006 onwards the growth rate is
unexpectedly very high. Specially Facebook and Twitter have grown much faster
and captured millions of users in just a few years. The way technology is
growing, it is obvious that more and more people are going to grasp its
benefits. It has brought a lot of advantages for the society. From progressed
nations to under-developed countries, every nation is utilizing the power of
social media to enhance life and use it for the bitterness of the people.
However, on the other hand it has also affected the society in the
negative way. Just like anything which can be used for both good and bad, social
media have also provided the negative and positive ways for the people.Today in
this article I am going to discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of the
social media for the society.
Let’s start with the disadvantages first, because the advantages are
numerous and everything is perceived to have a positive effect unless it is used
negatively.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media
10 Disadvantages of Social Media
1:- Cyberbullying –Mmost of the children
have become victims of the cyberbulling over the past. Since anyone can create a
fake account and do anything without being traced, it has become quite easy for
anyone to bully on the Internet. Threats, intimidation messages and rumors can
be sent to the masses to create discomfort and chaos in the society.
2:–
Hacking – Personal data and privacy can easily be hacked and shared on the
Internet. Which can make financial losses and loss to personal life. This is one
of the dangerous disadvantages of the social media and every user is advised to
keep their personal data and accounts safe to avoid such accidents.
3:-
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. They get involved very extensively and are eventually cut off
from the society. It can also waste individual time that could have been
utilized by productive tasks and activities.
4:- Fraud and Scams – Several
examples are available where individuals have scammed and commit fraud through
the social media.
5:- Security Issues – Now a day’s security agencies have
access to people personal accounts. Which makes the privacy almost compromised.
6:- Reputation – Social media can easily ruin someone’s reputation just by
creating a false story and spreading across the social media. Similarly
businesses can also suffer losses.
7:- Cheating and Relationship Issues –
Most of the people have used the social media platform to propose and marry each
other. However, after some time they turn to be wrong in their decision and part
ways.
:- Health Issues – The excess usage of social media can also have a
negative impact on the health. Since exercise is the key to lose weight, most of
the people get lazy because of the excessive use of social networking sites.
Which in result brings disorder in the routine life.
9:- Social Media
causes death – Not just by using it, but by following the stunts and other crazy
stuffs that are shared on the internet. . The stunts are performed by the
teenagers because of the successful stunts made and shared over the social
media.
10:- Glamorizes Drugs and Alcohol – One of the disadvantages of the
social media is that people start to follow others who are wealthy or drug
addicted and share their views and videos on the web. Which eventually inspires
others to follow the same and get addicted to the drugs and alcohol.
10
Advantages of Social Media for the Society
1:- Connectivity – The first and
main advantage of the social media is connectivity. People from anywhere can
connect with anyone. Regardless of the location and religion. The beauty of
social media is that you can connect with anyone to learn and share your
thoughts.
2:- Education – Social media has a lot of benefits for the
students and teachers. It is very easy to educate from others who are experts
and professionals via the social media. You can follow anyone to learn from
him/her and enhance your knowledge about any field. Regardless of your location
and education background you can educate yourself, without paying for it.
3:- Help – You can share your issues with the community to get help and
giddiness. Whether it is helping in term of money or in term of advice, you can
get it from the community you are connected with.
4:- Information and
Updates – The main advantage of the social media is that you update yourself
from the latest happenings around in the world. With the help of social media
you can get the facts and true information by doing some research.
5:-
Promotion – Whether you have an offline business or online, you can promote your
business to the largest audience. This makes the businesses profitable and less
expensive, because most of the expenses made over a business are for advertising
and promotion.
6:- Noble Cause – Social media can also be used for the
noble causes. For example, to promote an NGO, social welfare activities and
donations for the needy people. People are using social media for donation for
needy people and it can be a quick way to help such people.
7:- Awareness –
Social media also create awareness and innovate the way people live. It is the
social media which has helped people discover new and innovative stuffs that can
enhance personal lives. From farmers to teachers, students to lawyers every
individual of the society can benefit from the social media and its awareness
factor.
8:- Helps Govt and Agencies Fight Crime- It is also one of the
advantages of the social media that it helps Governments and Security Agencies
to spy and catch criminals to fight crime.
9:- Improves Business Reputation
– Just like it can ruin any business reputation, It can also improve business
sales and reputation. Positive comments and sharing about a company can help
them with sales and goodwill. Since people are free to share whatever they want
on the social media, it can impact positively when good words are shared.
10:- Helps in Building Communities – Since our world has different religions and
beliefs. Social media helps in building and participating in the community of
own religion and believes to discuss and learn about it. Similarly, people of
different communities can connect to discuss and share related stuffs.
These are some of the advantages and disadvantages of social media for the
society. However, these are the enough advantages and disadvantages to decide
which way to go on the social media.