What is Social Media?

Technically speaking, social media is a platform on which users can create and post content and interact with other users through means such as text, audio, video, and images. It can be seen as an online version of community lifeor as a town hall (as Twitter is often called)where people can share, interact, debate, or collaborate. Yet socially speaking, social media is very often a kind of digital shrine to the Self. Each user creates a profile and gathers followers, posts personal thoughts or beliefs, and tries to get others to respond or pay attention, give approval or spark a reaction. It is way for people around the world to say, Hey, everybody! Look at me! And that is why for some, when no one looks or pays attention, severe depression can follow: social media has become a means of personal validation, and if that validation is not forthcoming by way of likes, re-posts, follows, and so on, users can become despondent, withdrawn, feel isolated, and find that their lives have no meaning in the context of the hyper-connected, digital world (De Choudhury et al., 2013).

A negative or drawback of this form of communication and social network is that it can lead to increased levels of narcissism and can become an avenue for digital addiction (Andreassen et al., 2017). As people become more dependent and addicted to their devices and social media, they can forget how to connect and live in the real world, becoming socially isolated (no matter how digitally connected they are) and unable to form meaningful relationships (i.e., families, partnerships, long-lasting relationships). Another drawback of social media is that people who use it can become easily exposed to harmful ideas, content that can corrupt their morals, and dangerous opinions of others (for instance, social media is one means of radicalizing people, as content can be posted to make people form extremist views, ramp up emotions, and get them committed to taking action). Plus, it can be a risk for ones careeras has been shown time and time again when something one...…such as influencers, they may find that they dont measure up in terms of appeal, attractiveness, wealth, followership, etc. They may become depressed. Or they could find some modicum of success and fuel for their narcissism. All the same, social media users run the risk of cutting themselves off from real reality by engaging with people primarily in a virtual (digital) reality. That said, social media can be used for educational purposes and to disseminate valuable information about important topics. But there are also a lot of lies and corrupting influences to be found on social media, and users use at their own risk.

In conclusion, social media presents both positive and negative qualities, and it is up to the individual user to understand the benefits of social media platforms as well as the risks. The more informed, disciplined, mature, and self-aware they are, the less likely they may be to be harmed. Young users may need guidance and oversightbut even older users can get sucked in and find that all their free time is spent on Twitteras Collum…