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.

Essay on 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.

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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.

advantages and disadvantages of using social media essay

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.

advantages and disadvantages of using social media essay

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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23 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media

Social media has become an integral component of modern life. We use the various platforms in this industry to connect with friends, chat with family members, and catch up on the current events happening in our world. Over 70% of Americans have at least one profile, and over 3 billion people around the globe are counted as social media users.

The growth of social media over the past decade has been staggering. The participation rate for this industry in 2005 was only 5%. Most people didn’t even know what it was at the time, and for those who did, the option to create a MySpace page usually meant fancy backgrounds and personal playlists more than personal communication.

We can even go further back to the invention of blogging on the Internet for the first real taste of social media. The first accounts began appearing in the 1980s, and then free platforms like Blogger mixed with chat rooms from AOL and others to create new social opportunities. Now we have Facebook, Twitter, and many more.

The advantages and disadvantages of social media are many, so here are the critical points to review in each area.

List of the Advantages of Social Media

1. It is easier to carry out research work using social media. Today’s social media platforms are a fantastic study tool that students can use. These platforms make it possible to ask challenging questions that would be difficult to solve on one’s own. It is also an easier way to create group discussions or study opportunities when people are far away from one another. Students even have the option to post their research work online to help educate others on specific topics.

If you have a question that needs to get answered, a simple status update with your family and friends is usually enough to get what you need.

2. Social media can boost individual self-esteem levels. Modern social media might feel toxic to some individuals, but it can also be a place where everyone can express themselves freely. These platforms provide ways to join groups or fan pages where shared interests become a reflection of each person’s unique personality. It offers a way to embrace empowerment because it communicates that each opinion counts. This advantage can lead to a significant boost in personal self-esteem.

When someone feels confident because of the online interactions that happen on social media platforms, it is a character trait that transfers to physical life. Many people can pursue what they’re passionate about today because of the positive feedback they received with this tool.

3. It creates more equality in today’s world. When people have differing social, economic, or physical traits, then society naturally limits a person’s ability to interact at the same level as others when they have negative traits in those areas. Even if you are in a wheelchair, the presence of a curb to make you stand out in the general public. Social media can work to illuminate these stigmas.

Anyone with any disability can perform all of the activities that their peers can accomplish online because of social media. This advantage makes people feel like they belong to their communities instead of being separated from them.

4. Social media can help people to find meaningful employment opportunities. Social media has become a go-to resource for employers who need help. Each community has several jobs posted and applied for because of the tools that are available in this industry. These jobs can be full-time positions, part-time, volunteer, or internships. Contract jobs are available all of the time with this resource. That means each user has the option to create a unique profile that features their skills and interests.

You can find a job anywhere in the world if you’re willing to embrace self-employment because of the benefits that social media provides.

5. You can stay up-to-date on current trends and technology. We are living in an era where rapid technological advancements occur. The tools that we use today are items that were only a part of the imagination a mere 20 years ago. When we take the time to embrace the advantages of social media, then we get to use these widely available technologies that can benefit the world in numerous ways. Social media helps us to stay informed of the natural evolutionary processes of each industry.

This advantage also applies to current events. We can quickly find out what is happening in our communities, schools, workplaces, states, and countries. It is an essential way to equip ourselves with adequate knowledge of what is happening around us. This benefit helps us to make informed and empowered decisions.

6. Law enforcement can use social media to capture criminals. Law enforcement agencies in the United States say that social media is a tool that helps them to solve crimes faster. 85% of American police departments use this tool as a way to find suspects. These platforms are also instrumental in the prosecution and conviction of several criminals, including professional athletes charged with inappropriate activity with minors.

When we are willing to be truthful with one another, social media gives us a variety of ways to keep our neighborhoods and communities safer.

7. Social media gives us opportunities to start making new friends. According to research published by Pew Internet, 93% of adults say that they use Facebook to connect with family. 91% are using it to stay in touch with their current friends, while 87% say that the platform helps them catch up with the people they know from their past. Over half of the respondents to this project stated that they use the various social media outlets to make new friends, even if they know that they won’t be meeting those people in real life.

One of the reasons why we focus on these connections is because it allows us to feel like we are a part of each person’s life. 70% of teams that use social media say that it helps them to feel more connected to the emotions that we all experience every day.

8. Businesswomen receive empowerment because of social media. When we look at women CEOs in the Fortune 500, they are outnumbered by their male counterparts by a ratio of 10 to 1 in most years. Finding ways to network with each other and feel like an impossible task when it seems like the cards are stacked against you from the very start. Businesswomen have found that social media can empower them to make better decisions because they can stay connected with other entrepreneurs who are like them.

Women dominate the social media spectrum. They are 80% of Pinterest users, 70% of Snapchat users, and 68% of Instagram users. Men are also in the minority on Facebook and Twitter. Women use these tools to have business chats, create global connections, and receive peer-related knowledge.

9. Social media has the power to increase a person’s quality of life. The power of social media can be experienced on the individual level in a variety of ways. It can improve a person’s overall life satisfaction, help with stroke recovery, or create gains in memory retention. When someone has a large online social group, then there is typically a higher level of well-being experienced.

Friends on social media can also help people to stay accountable for their health and wellness goals. This benefit promotes more exercise, improved nutrition, weight loss, and other lifestyle habit changes that may be desirable.

10. Social media can facilitate face-to-face interactions. People often use social media as a way to network at face-to-face events. It’s a chance to get to know others before having personal or business meetings. Messaging opportunities that occur on these platforms can lead to real-life interactions because plans get made online, and then implemented off-line.

The average person will see their close friends in person over 200 days each year while messaging them an average of 39 days annually.

11. The use of social media can increase voter participation rates. Facebook reports that people are more likely to vote if they see others are doing the same thing. 35% of students said that the status updates from their family members and friends led them to vote in the 2016 presidential election in the United States. That means this influence is even higher than what television, radio, and direct mail provide.

12. Social media can help to remove social stigmas. Society contains several stigmas that the average person doesn’t think about until there are direct impacts on their life. Various campaigns are running right now to reduce the bias that exists surrounding learning disabilities, mental health concerns, and health issues that people face. These platforms have been useful in the reduction of homophobia, lowering HIV rates, and promoting educational opportunities.

We can use social media to tell our stories. The lessons that we’ve learned in life can provide mentorship opportunities for other people, even if we’ve never met them before. Although some people will always try to troll others, the benefits often far outweigh whatever disadvantages we might encounter.

List of the Disadvantages of Social Media

1. Social media enables the spreading of false information rapidly. Over 60% of Twitter users say that they have encountered news stories on that platform that eventually turned out to be false. About one in five people say that they had retweeted or posted something that they later discovered was false. Social media provides the advantage of giving information to all of us quickly, but the lies typically spread much faster than the truth. The reason why this happens is that we create echo chambers for ourselves with this tool.

When we surround ourselves with information that supports our personal opinions about the world, then the posts that we see on social media reinforce each bias that we have. Instead of seeking diversity, these platforms end up encouraging more segregation.

2. These platforms expose people to government intrusions. About half of the people that use social media right now say that they have problems trying to manage the privacy settings for the profile. Over 80% say that they don’t feel secure when using the sites to share private information. This disadvantage applies to corporate and government intrusions because of all of the data that we share on these platforms.

The U.S. government submitted over 43,000 requests for data from Facebook and Twitter in 2015. About four out of every five of them were honored by these organizations. The National Security Agency reportedly can monitor private social messages by entering a specific username into their system. That means what we share can go to everyone.

3. Social media causes student grades to drop. Students who use social media heavily tend to have lower grades at every level of education when compared to those who avoid these platforms. Over 30% of teens say that using social media during their homework reduces the quality of their studies, resulting in grades that were 20% lower. Students at the college or university level experience a 0.12 drop in GPA for every 93 minutes above the average amount of time spent on Facebook per day.

Students who identify as being heavy social media users have an average GPA of 3.06 across all grades. Those who don’t use these platforms regularly have an average GPA of 3.82.

4. These platforms can lead to offline relationship problems. About one in every three social media users reports that they have had an argument or fight with a friend or family member because of something that happened online. Over-using social media can potentially decrease a person’s success in real-life relationships as they get older because of how it can hinder communication development. People are less likely to pick up on nonverbal communication signals when messaging has been their primary form of talking to other people.

Active social media use can lead to higher levels of platform-related conflict between friends and romantic partners. Higher risks of conflict, infidelity, and divorce are all associated with above-average active users.

5. Social media can encourage people to waste a lot of time. The average person spends almost two hours every day browsing through their social media feeds. This figure represents over one-quarter of the total time that people spend online every day. When asked about what their biggest waste of time was every day, almost 40% of respondents referred to social media. That placed it above watching TV at 23% or playing fantasy sports at 25%.

When the average person received a notification about a new social media activity, then it takes up to 25 minutes for them to return to their original tasks. And 30% of these instances, it can take up to two hours to fully return their attention to what they were doing.

6. It can harm an individual’s employment prospects or job stability. Social media gives all of us an opportunity to express ourselves freely. That benefit doesn’t always translate into life stability. Job recruiters and hiring managers report feeling negative reactions to profanity, poor spelling and grammar, references to illegal drugs, and sexualized content when reviewing the profiles of their applicants. 55% say that they reconsidered someone based on what they saw of a person’s online activities.

This disadvantage applies to people from all walks of life. Former MLB pitcher Curt Schilling was terminated from ESPN because of comments he left on Facebook about transgender individuals. This action followed a suspension he’d received earlier for comparing radical Muslims to the Nazis.

7. Social media can be used to commit or promote criminal activity. Gangs are known to use social media as a way to recruit younger members. Terrorist organizations create propaganda to accomplish the same goal. These platforms are useful in the coordination of violent crimes or to threaten other people. Sex offenders use websites like this to find victims to exploit.

Almost 80% of burglars admit that they use several different social media platforms to select the properties of their victims. Over half of them say that they track that person’s posting status or current whereabouts to know when they can enter a home or business safely. Some criminals have even started live streaming their activities.

8. It places the lives of activists, journalists, and military personnel in danger. When military personnel use social media as a way to check in with location-based services, the activity can expose their current position. This data can then endanger certain operations. ISIS used these platforms to locate a freelance journalist who reported what life was like under their regime. Several bloggers in Bangladesh posted their thoughts about atheism online only to be killed by zealots who opposed their opinion.

This disadvantage happens all over the world. A blogger in Mexico was found murdered by a cartel with a note stating that the individual was reporting things on social networks.

9. Social media can encourage cyberbullying activities. Over half of students today say that they have encountered cyberbullying online directed at them at least once in the past year. 84% of the incidents occurred on Facebook. What makes this disadvantage such a devastating experience is the fact that the information is available all day, every day on a public forum. There is no way to take a break from it, and you don’t even need to be present for people to start this behavior.

Middle school students who are victims of cyberbullying are almost twice as likely to attempt suicide when compared to those who are not. Adults who experience this disadvantage can experience higher levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.

10. The people who use social media are prone to isolation. Social media might provide opportunities for personal connections when used correctly, but it can also increase feelings of disconnect. This disadvantage is especially powerful for young people with disabilities. It places them in a higher risk category for eating disorders, low self-esteem, and clinical depression. Passively consuming social media content, including the scanning of posts without leaving a comment, is directly related to personal feelings of loneliness.

11. Children can endanger themselves on social media without realizing it. Kids don’t always understand the viral nature of social media posts. Even though young people traditionally are more tech-savvy than their parents and previous generations, social media is a different beast. Children and teens see activities that happen online that seem fun, and so they attempt to duplicate them in real life. Some of these incidents even happen accidentally.

Over 600 police officers once had to disperse a teen’s birthday party in the Netherlands because a private invitation ended up being public and going viral. Over 30,000 people showed up for the event. A similar issue happened in Los Angeles that resulted in the host of the party being hospitalized after an attack.

Social media gives us the opportunity to create an online extension of our physical lives. It creates more connections while facilitating communication. That’s why the use of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Instagram have risen from about 26% in 2008 on all platforms to over 80% today.

There are always benefits of social networking to find if we’re willing to look for them. These online communities promote increased interaction with our family and friends, educational support from teachers, information about current events, and opportunities to create political or social change. It disseminates useful information to us all quickly.

The advantages and disadvantages of social media can also swing in the other direction. It can prevent face-to-face communication for some people, alter behavioral patterns, and expose our youth to potential predators. Even when individuals use it to spread false information, we still decide what we want to focus on with this platform. If we can stay disciplined in its use, then social media is a tremendous asset to the world.

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.

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Table of Contents

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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The Pros and Cons of Social Media

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

advantages and disadvantages of using social media essay

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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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Social Media Advantages and Disadvantages IELTS Essay

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Updated on 15 April, 2024

Akansha Semwal

Akansha Semwal

Study abroad expert.

Akansha Semwal

If you are planning to move outside the country for higher education, better career prospects, and PR, then taking the IELTS exam is necessary. The test is aimed at checking the English language proficiency of a candidate through four different sections, Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Here are samples of an essay from the writing section on the topic ‘Social Media Advantages and Disadvantages’.

Table of Contents

Essay 1 on advantages and disadvantages of social media, essay 2 on social media advantages and disadvantages, download e-books for ielts preparation, more resources to read about essays:, frequently asked questions.

This generation's language is undoubtedly social media – we all live and breathe our online presence, and these social platforms are its foundation. With multiple social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Snapchat in the running, there is no end to what social media can do. However, this statement holds for both positive and negative effects of the medium. 

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. Another advantage of social media is that it can be used as a powerful tool to educate others. Nowadays, every piece of information or detail you may need is a click away, and social media promotes the same availability of knowledge. Additionally, you can use social media as a tool to market your brand or company as the platforms are quickly turning into a massive hub for advertisements. 

With these advantages, social media also poses many cons/disadvantages. Despite it being the perfect medium for sharing information – your moods and whereabouts to people–you are also susceptible to privacy issues and hackers. Many social media users also face the ill effects of these platforms through cyberbullying, which leads to mental health issues and even greater cases of suicides in the present generation. Furthermore, various reports also entail that overusing social media can even hamper students' academic performance since they waste their precious time on these applications.

Thus, these set of advantages and disadvantages together highlight it is best to use social media in moderation and avail its benefits in a balanced manner.

Word Count: 296

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Yes, social media has many advantages and disadvantages in the present world. Even though social media was created for the betterment of the social relationships in the world, it is the cause of many people ruining their health and others. The best way to deal with social media is to understand its pros and cons and look at your relationship with these applications.

Talking about the positives of using social media, it is the best way to get the latest updates and news about the world. Whether it is about entertainment, politics, or economics, you can get all types of news through social media. If you spend your time on appropriate accounts and platforms, you will also be able to gain knowledge on several topics. The best part of using social media is that you can enjoy the ability to connect with people remotely even if you can't meet them. This was a big benefit in the pandemic era.

Social media has also become a home for fake ids and anonymous accounts that spread hate and negativity. People also hack into other people's accounts, which can cause loss of personal data and identity thefts. Not just that, social media has also lowered human interactions and changed the way we perceive modern human relations. What was thought to be a great way to connect with others has left people lonely and sad.

Social media is both a curse and a boon depending on your use. If you are vigilant enough to maintain a balance, these social media channels should not cause many problems and negative impacts. All in all, it is all about keeping usage in moderation and having a life beyond social media.

Word Count: 283

IELTS IDIOMS GUIDE

Important IELTS Exam Resources

Ielts exam overview.

IELTS is required to be taken by international students and workers who wish to study or work in a country where English is the primary language of communication. Know the complete details.

IELTS Exam Syllabus

With the right knowledge of the IELTS exam syllabus and pattern, cracking the popular English test won’t be difficult.

  • IELTS Exam Pattern

The IELTS exam pattern encompasses four major sections, i.e. listening, speaking, writing, and reading.

Register For IELTS

IELTS is the most popular and crucial test for evaluating English language proficiency throughout the world. Learn how to register for the IELTS exam.

IELTS Exam Eligibility Criteria

It becomes necessary for candidates to meet the eligibility for IELTS exam and demonstrate their language proficiency while being assessed on four parameters, namely, Writing, Reading, Speaking and Listening.

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The IELTS exam fee in India varies based on the types of IELTS tests. The link below shows detailed information on the IELTS exam fees.

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IELTS Test Centres in India

Fully aware of the growing popularity of the language test, we bring to you a list of IELTS exam centers in India. The list will enable aspirants in better planning before registering for the test.

Band Score for Reading

IELTS reading band score decides the knowledge and proficiency of the English language of the applicants.

IELTS Listening Band Score

The listening section evaluates the comprehension level of candidates. The scores also depend on the understanding of different accents and dialects.

IELTS Score Validity

The IELTS score validity for General and Academic is two years across the globe. The IELTS result validity for Canada is two years.

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There are two types of IELTS tests – i) Academic IELTS and ii) General Training IELTS. Candidates are often confused about making the right choice of IELTS test that can meet their requirements regarding their education or job.

Books for IELTS Preparation

Picking the best IELTS books for preparation is essential for scoring well. It may seem tough at first but cracking the examination successfully is not impossible.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics

Writing task 2 in IELTS is descriptive essay writing. The applicants are supposed to write an essay in response to the statement or situation given in the essay.

Tips for IELTS Writing

Before appearing for the test, let’s take a look at the below-mentioned IELTS writing tips and tricks to score well in the writing section.

Reading Section IELTS

Reading is the second part of the IELTS test and takes 60 minutes. It consists of three or sometimes four reading passages to increase difficulty, and there are a total of 40 questions to answer.

IELTS Speaking Preparation

Please note that your performance on the speaking test is assessed based on the following criteria- fluency and coherence, grammatical range and accuracy, lexical resource, and pronunciation.

Phrases for IELTS Speaking

There are many phrases for IELTS speaking that a candidate should practice beforehand. If you aim for band 9, you should know these phrases.

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IELTS is one of the most used English Language Proficiency Tests. The exam is scored in bands. Your IELTS band score determines the performance level of your test.

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Understanding the IELTS band score is not difficult. The results of the examination are reported on a scale of 9 bands.

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To book the IELTS exam, the candidates can either visit their nearest test center or book the slot online by visiting the official website of IDP. If they choose to go with the second option, they should follow the steps given below.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

IELTS Academic writing is meant for students who are applying for top-ranked universities and colleges in English-speaking countries. The writing task one is an academic summary writing based on diagrammatic and graphical representation.

  • IELTS Writing Task 2

Writing Task 2 is the second part of the writing section of IELTS, where aspirants are presented with a point of view, argument, or problem and asked to write an essay in response to the question.

Writing Task 1 IELTS

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 starts with a diagram, a visual representation of information. It can be a table, map, graph, process, diagram, or picture.

IELTS Essay Samples

The essay for IELTS is part of Writing Task 2. It is the same for the General Training and Academic of the IELTS. You will get a topic and have to write an essay on the same.

IELTS Cue Cards

The IELTS speaking cue cards come into play for the second part when the candidate will be choosing cue cards and then speaking on a topic for two minutes at least.

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What are the advantages of using social media?

The most significant advantage of using social media is global connectivity. The online networks have allowed users to connect and communicate with family, friends, acquaintances, etc. instantly. In today's world, it has also become an important tool for business expansion, social awareness, recruitment, and shopping.

What is advantage and disadvantage essay in IELTS?

The IELTS advantage and disadvantage essays require you to convey positive and negative sides of the given subject while providing a balanced argument. You must ensure not to skip any of the sides, i.e., you should not focus on solely exhibiting the advantages or disadvantages. Also, remember to conclude your essay with a judgement.

What are different types of IELTS essay?

You can expect the following types of essay in IELTS Writing task:

  • Opinion essays
  • Discussion essays
  • Advantage/disadvantage essays
  • Multi-part essay
  • Multi-part and opinion essay
  • Cause/solution essay

Akansha Semwal is a content marketer at upGrad and has also worked as a social media marketer & sub-editor. Experienced in creating impressive Statement of Purpose, Essays, and LOR, she knows how to captivate the attention of Admissions Committee. Her research-driven;study-abroad articles helps aspirants to make the prudent decision. She holds a bachelor's & master's degree in Literature from the University of Delhi.

Important Exams

Important ielts essay resources, get free consultation for ielts, trending searches, university ranking, university acceptance rate.

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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: Advantages and Disadvantages

Introduction, works cited.

In a dynamic world catalyzed by the rapid advancement of technology, the use of social media is becoming a daily routine for a considerable number of users. Social networks have now become the mouthpieces of information, presenting individuals with the opportunity not only to communicate but also to receive news, read publications, share comments, and spend their leisure time. Obviously, such a grandiose influence of virtual platforms cannot have an unambiguous effect on society, which leads to the need to examine both the advantages and disadvantages of using social networks.

In terms of positive aspects, social networks allow the realization of the function of maintaining communication, conceived as a fundamental one. Through such platforms, individuals can stay connected not only with people from their immediate environment but also with friends, relatives, and strangers from other countries. From such globality comes another advantage, namely the ability to learn relevant information almost instantly. News about tragedies, holidays, cultural events, and other information can be disseminated to a global community of users in minutes (Ahmed and Lugovic 1). This creates a sense of unity and belonging, which becomes especially important for users. With the help of the community created and developed on social networks, morally relevant ideas can be promoted to the masses and become more popular among users from different countries. Examples of such ideas include the need for tolerant relationships, calls for peace, feminism, and the fight for equal rights.

On the other hand, social media also has disadvantages that affect the user experience. The immediacy and mass distribution of information through such platforms pose a threat to the credibility of published information. Social networks are used as mouthpieces of propaganda and fake news, which allows to manipulate of the mood of the public masses (Yuskiv 1078). In addition, their excessive use can be addictive, causing mental and physical disorders in the individual (Sun and Zhang 4). We should also note the phenomenon of cyberbullying, which is catalyzed in social networks: the user can be deliberately insulted, humiliated, and intimidated by other people on the platform, which in some cases can lead to tragic consequences.

Thus, social media should not be seen as an unambiguous phenomenon, bringing only negative or positive aspects to society. On the contrary, such platforms, a product of their time, are only tools of a global community that can use social media differentially. This essay, supported by scientific evidence, has analyzed the various effects of social media, and demonstrated that they should be treated critically, emphasizing the multiplicity of their manifestations.

Ahmed, Wasim and Lugovic, Sergej. “Social Media Analytics: Analysis and Visualisation of News Diffusion using NodeXL.” Online Information Review , vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 149-160.

Sun, Yalin, and Yan Zhang. “A Review of Theories and Models Applied in Studies of Social Media Addiction and Implications for Future Research.” Addictive Behaviors , vol. 114, 2021, pp. 1-5.

Yuskiv, Khrystyna Victorivna. “Social Media Policy against Russian Propaganda in Ukraine.” Baltija Publishing , vol. 1, 2022, pp. 1078-1084.

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Essay#52 | Social media

At first 250 may seem like a lot of words, but if you break the answer down into the paragraphs then it will seem easier: Introduction and concluding paragraph about 50 words each. The two main body paragraphs 100 words each. Each of these paragraphs has to include at least 2 ideas (3 is better), as well as reasons for your ideas and an example to support one of them.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Social media is becoming increasingly popular amongst all age groups. However, sharing personal information on social media websites does have risks.

Do you think that the advantages of social media outweigh the disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer.

Since the invention of social media, many people have been better able to connect with each other and also to keep up to date with the lives of their friends, families, co-workers and even celebrities, to such a degree which was previously impossible.

However, social media has its risks. As people of all ages have access to social media, children can be exposed to adult content, and are themselves vulnerable to be approached by strangers with unknown intentions. Even if children are sure of who they’re talking to on social media, social media’s issues are not completely eliminated. Cyber bullying is frequently reported in the news, and occurs on social media between children and schoolchildren. This is problematic, as it means even when children are at home, remote from their bullies they can still be bullied when they’re inside their own homes.

Social media can be problematic for adults, too. People often feel comfortable posting things on social media that they wouldn’t say in real life. This can indirectly cause a bad impression on other people, and if employers judge the nature of the content prospective employees post on social media to be inappropriate, it can affect their chances of attaining or keeping jobs.

As long as people are aware of the risks of using social media, and are careful to post only respectful and respectable content, then the advantages of social media far outweigh the disadvantages, and children and adults alike should be allowed to benefit from such technology.

(250 words)

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‘Social media comes with good and bad sides, doesn’t it?’ A balancing act of the benefits and risks of social media use by young adults with long-term conditions

Ceri wilson.

Anglia Ruskin University, UK

Jennifer Stock

King’s College London, UK; Bethlem Royal Hospital, UK

Young adults are frequent users of social media, but the help and hindrance of social media for living well with long-term conditions (LTCs) in young adulthood is little-researched. The aim of this paper was to explore the experiences of social media use amongst young adults with LTCs. Interviews with 15 young adults with LTCs explored their experiences of using social media more broadly and in relation to online health communities. Social media came with both ‘good and bad sides’ which required a balancing act to manage (overarching theme), as reflected in the following subthemes: (1) Relationships: reducing social isolation versus need for face-to-face contact; (2) Comparisons: normalising versus negative (upward) comparisons; (3) Community: fitting in versus feeling left out; (4) Emotions: inspiring versus distress contagion; and (5) Knowledge: exchanging useful information versus fear of decline. The findings highlight the importance of young adults’ self-reflection/awareness of social media’s impact on their wellbeing, identifying when limited or increased use may be preferable. Whilst there is a ‘good’ to social media such as increased feelings of belonging and connection, this should not be the sole focus of future self-management interventions; as its use also contributes to feelings of distress, fear and not fitting in, and participants desire face-to-face contact.

Introduction

Long-term conditions (LTC), or chronic illnesses, are medical conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy and Crohn’s Disease, that can be controlled but not cured and require management of complex symptoms and treatments ( Department of Health [DH], 2012 ). According to Erikson’s (1963 , 1968 ) stages of psychosocial development young adulthood comprises ages 18–40, and whilst the likelihood of having LTCs increases with age there is a significant proportion of young adults living with these conditions (15% of adults aged 20–29 and 20% aged 30–39: DH, 2012 ). However, the experiences and management strategies of young adults with LTCs are under-researched compared to other age groups.

Social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook and Instagram, have grown in popularity exponentially in recent years; particularly amongst young adults. Facebook alone has 2.23 billion monthly active users ( Facebook Newsroom, 2018 ), 54% of whom are aged 18–34 ( Statista, 2018 ). In America 88% of 18–29-year-olds use some form of social media, with 80% using Facebook and 71% using Instagram ( Pew Research Center, 2018 ), and in the UK 91% of 16–24-year-olds use social media ( Office for National Statistics, 2016 ). Of further note, time spent on SNSs is reported to have increased by 44% worldwide since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic ( Statista, 2020 ). While social media presents opportunities for innovation, self-expression and creativity; public concern about its impact on young people’s wellbeing has been well-documented (e.g. Royal Society of Public Health [RSPH], 2019 ).

A number of online groups aimed at supporting individuals with LTCs have arisen on SNSs. These online health communities are increasingly being used by individuals to support their self-management. Conrad et al. (2016) postulate how the internet has changed illness experiences through the development of illness subcultures and collective illness identities through online health communities. The development of such subcultures and collective identities may foster feelings of belonging, which is considered a deep emotional need and a key determinant of health and wellbeing ( Bernat and Resnick, 2009 ; Yuval-Davis, 2004 ). This notion is supported by a growing body of research highlighting social and emotional benefits of online health communities; however, negative impacts are also being reported.

The following benefits of online health communities for individuals with specific LTCs of various ages have been reported: the development of reciprocally supportive relationships; reduced isolation/loneliness; reduced depression/increased emotional support; useful experiential knowledge-sharing; and feeling ‘normal’ (e.g. Allen et al., 2016 ; Caron and Light, 2015 ; Kingod et al., 2017 ; Kohut et al., 2017 ; Meade et al., 2018 ; Patel et al., 2015 ; Shavazi et al., 2016 ; Shoebotham and Coulson, 2016 ; Sinha et al., 2018 ; Smedley et al., 2015 ).

Reported negative impacts include: sharing of inaccurate information; negative aspects of conditions becoming visible; users feeling dissatisfied with social support remaining online; worries around trusting people online and knowing how much to share; and being upset by negative experiences shared in the community, sometimes referred to as ‘distress contagion’ (e.g. Allen et al., 2016 ; Caron and Light, 2015 ; Kingod et al., 2017 ; Kohut et al., 2017 ; Patel et al., 2015 ; Shoebotham and Coulson, 2016 ).

One study of relevance has been conducted exclusively with young adults. Fergie et al. (2015 , 2016 ) conducted interviews with 40 young adults (aged 18–30) with diabetes or mental health problems exploring their online use. Aligning with earlier mentioned findings, the young adult participants in Fergie et al.’s (2015 , 2016 ) research talked about the benefits of condition-specific Facebook pages for: seeking others with similar health conditions, sharing research, feeling less isolated, having experiences validated, provision of emotional support, and useful sharing of experiential information. However, as found elsewhere, the participants also noted that these communities can be depressing and cause ‘distress contagion’. Some participants also described their social media use more generally, reporting being wary of being seen as a ‘moaner’ if they posted regularly about their health.

To date, little research in this field has been conducted with young adults specifically, and the majority of existing research exploring social media use amongst people with LTCs has focused on the use of online health communities, with little attention to the impact of broader social media use. We know, however, that social media use in healthy young adults can have both positive impacts such as increased social support, reduced social anxiety and opportunity for self-expression ( Ellison et al., 2007 ; RSPH, 2019 ); and negative impacts such as anxiety, depression, and envy when making social comparisons leading to lower self-esteem and wellbeing ( Gothenburg Research Institute, 2012 ; RSPH, 2019 ). The latter impact can be further unpicked through looking to social comparison theory which posits that people seek to compare themselves to others to determine their own levels of abilities and success ( Festinger, 1954 ), and the resulting comparison impacts on self-image and wellbeing. Downward social comparisons involve comparing to ‘inferior’ others, and lateral comparison involves comparison to similar others. Upward social comparison, on the other hand, involves comparison with ‘superior’ others, and leads to the individual finding a discrepancy between the self and the comparison standard. This is also sometimes referred to as negative social comparisons (e.g. de Vries and Kühne, 2015 ). These negative comparisons are thought to motivate the individual to change to be more like the comparison standard and therefore improve the self ( Higgins, 1987 ; Wood, 1989 ). However, self-esteem is harmed when individuals believe that they cannot overcome their inferiority ( Smith, 2000 ; Wills, 1981 ). It has been argued that the likelihood of engaging in social comparison is more intense in the social media sphere than in everyday life, as individuals are exposed to many comparison targets and a plethora of information about the desirable aspects of each comparison target’s life (e.g. Appel et al., 2016 ; Charoensukmongkol, 2018 ). It is widely cited that social media content usually comprises socially desirable information that people have posted to present themselves positively, and when others are exposed to this, they can experience feelings of envy due to upward social comparison to these seemingly advantaged others (e.g. Appel et al., 2016 ; Chou and Edge, 2012 ). Evidence suggests that amongst young adults in particular, more intense use of SNSs is related to more frequent negative social comparisons (e.g. de Vries and Kühne, 2015 ; Lee, 2014 ) and in the wider population findings suggest that social comparison mediates the impact of social media use on depression, envy and low self-esteem (e.g. Appel et al., 2016 ; Steers et al., 2014 ).

It seems likely that the reported positive and negative impacts of using SNSs for healthy young adults are likely to be more pronounced for young adults with LTCs. For example, the importance of social support potentially offered through SNSs could be more valued and important for young adults with LTCs; in light of their increased feelings of social isolation and disadvantage (e.g. Buchanan et al., 2010 ; Reddihough et al., 2013 ; Sattoe et al., 2014 ). Likewise, the negative consequences of upward social comparison through these sites could have a greater impact on young adults with LTCs as they report not meeting societal expectations and goals for their age, which is a cause of worry and dissatisfaction (e.g. Tunnicliffe et al., 2016 ; Wilson and Stock, 2019 ). Therefore, the impact of social media on young adults with LTCs requires further investigation.

The aim of this paper was to explore the experiences of social media use amongst young adults with LTCs. The data were collected pre-pandemic, but due to increased online social interactions since the onset of the pandemic, the need for research into the impact of social media is more pertinent that ever. The data reported form part of a wider study which explored the broader experience of living with LTCs in young adulthood and what helps and hinders living well with LTCs. The current article focuses specifically on the research question: what help and hindrance does social media play in living well with LTCs in young adulthood? The uniqueness of this paper is that it explores social media use for young adults specifically (with a range of LTCs) and explores not only the use of online health communities, but also the broader use of social media.

In depth semi-structured one-to-one interviews were conducted with young adults with various LTCs to understand their experience of using social media, in the context of limited existing research with this population. Thematic analysis ( Braun and Clarke, 2006 ) was used to inductively identify themes about the role social media can play in helping and/or hindering young adults to live well with their LTCs.

Participants

To be eligible to participate individuals had to be aged 18–40, speak English, and currently living with one or more LTCs for a minimum of 6 months. Individuals were not eligible to participate if they had extensive cognitive impairment affecting their capacity to independently care for themselves. Participants comprised 10 females and five males, aged 19–39. The majority lived with more than one LTC (see Table 1 ).

Participant demographics.

Some participants had a primary diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome while others experienced chronic fatigue as a result of their primary diagnosis. There were also a number of participants who reported experiencing clinically diagnosed depression and/or anxiety (as indicated in table) but a further two reported undiagnosed/self-reported anxiety and/or depression.

Ethical approval was obtained from the Anglia Ruskin University Faculty Research Ethics Panel. A purposive sampling approach was used to recruit participants. We recruited from local counties in the East of England through: UK-based charities for LTCs; social media; and through the Anglia Ruskin University website. Interviews were conducted by the first author and took place either at one of the Anglia Ruskin University campuses or in a community venue at a more convenient location for the participant. Participants provided written informed consent prior to taking part. The interview, lasting approximately 1 hour, explored the experiences of living with the condition/s, impact of the condition/s on different aspects of life, and what helps and hinders living well with the condition/s. A specific question was asked related to social media: ‘Do you feel that social media has any role to play in helping you to live well with your LTC/s’? Some participants also talked about social media in their answers to other questions about the impact of the condition/s and their self-management strategies. As interviews involved discussion of sensitive topics, if and when participants became upset the interviewer offered to stop the interview, offered a break and/or skipping a question. Interviews were digitally voice-recorded and transcribed verbatim for data analysis. Data collection ended once the researcher was hearing the same comments repeatedly from new participants indicating that data saturation was being reached. All information specific to social media was pulled from the interviews to answer the research question. Participant names and identifying information were replaced with pseudonyms.

Data analysis

We employed inductive thematic analysis whereby themes were drawn inductively from the data. Theoretical concepts have not been imposed on the data, only those that coincide with the data have been used. Analysis went through the steps of familiarisation, initial coding, searching for themes based on initial coding, review of themes, theme definition and labelling (following Braun and Clarke, 2006 ). Data analysis was conducted primarily by the first author who carried out the analysis by hand. The first author sequentially read through each transcript, writing a face sheet for each participant which summarised contextual information, issues emerging and the author’s reflections. This was followed by making notes about potential themes and key experiences across participants. The first author then re-read each transcript, ensuring that key experiences had not been missed. Initial codes were discussed with the second author and following these discussions codes were grouped into themes and subthemes by the first author. Both authors reviewed these themes, with the first author re-reading the transcripts once more, and the second author reading the transcripts to review the themes. Once a consensus had been reached between both authors through in-depth discussions about the data and proposed themes, final themes were defined and labelled by both authors. Participant quotes have been used to illustrate each theme.

Eleven participants described both positive and negative impacts of social media use which required a delicate balancing act to manage, leading to the overarching theme ‘A balancing act’. Four participants (two male, two female) only described positive experiences with social media, but balancing both positive and negative impacts of social media was the overriding experience.

A balancing act

Social media comes with good and bad sides, doesn’t it? (‘Emily’) I think there is a bit of a balance there. . .if you live on social media too much it can become very overwhelming. But on the same side there’s a lot of good stuff that goes on. . . (‘Anna’)

The overarching theme was that social media use came with both ‘good and bad sides’ (i.e. with beneficial and detrimental effects), which required a balancing act to manage. At different times, and under different circumstances, the balance could be tipped to one side (either ‘good’ or ‘bad’) and this required self-reflection and awareness in order to manage when and how to best utilise social media for the purpose of helping to live well with their LTCs. Within this overarching theme we identified the following subthemes: (1) Relationships: reducing social isolation versus need for face-to-face contact; (2) Comparisons: normalising versus negative (upward) comparisons; (3) Community: fitting in versus feeling left out; (4) Emotions: inspiring versus distress contagion; (5) Knowledge: exchanging information versus fear of decline. See Figure 1 for a visual representation of these themes.

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Visual representation of the theme ‘a balancing act’ and related subthemes.

Relationships: Reducing social isolation versus need for face-to-face

Both social media-based communities for people with LTCs, and social media use generally; were described as reducing social isolation in some capacity by eight participants. In terms of online health communities, participants described feeling less alone and isolated as a result of a shared understanding and empathy amongst group members:

. . .it’s reassuring. . .hearing that you’re not the only one suffering silently. Like, if someone says, ‘Oh, I was in class the other day, and I soiled myself, and it was really embarrassing, and everyone was laughing’, it’s terrible, but it’s a way that everyone can-‘Oh yes, I experienced that when I was at work. . .’, it’s nice to know that you’re not the only one. . .there’s so much social media that can help. . .I could imagine, before that happening, I would’ve felt even more isolated. (“James”) . . .it can be intriguing to see how other people deal with things. . .sometimes they post questions. . . ‘Oh, do you have this symptom or is it just me?’ Sometimes you’re like, ‘Oh, yes. I get that, too’. . .it makes you feel like you’re not alone. . . (‘Ruth’)

One participant also described how one of these groups led to a newly developed friendship for one of her friends who lived with a different LTC:

My friend who has Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. . .when she was finally diagnosed she literally just sat at home and wouldn’t talk to anyone. . .She met a girl on Facebook, in a support group and they are like best friends now. . .It’s so nice because she’s got someone to talk to and I can just see how happy she is. . .having someone to share that with who completely understands. (‘Zoe’)

Three participants talked about how SNSs facilitated them being more open about their condition and their struggles. This was particularly the case for conditions that participants felt had stigma attached to them, but also for many young adults who felt that simply being a young adult with a LTC had stigma attached to it due to societal assumptions that young people are healthy. This meant that they did not feel that they could be as open about their conditions and experiences in everyday life. Therefore SNSs provided a form of anonymity and a safe space to be open and honest about their experiences:

. . .I do find it [ social media group ] helpful. I think a lot of people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome share the same kind of stigma about not wanting to talk about it, because it’s something that people find gross, or it’s not something young people love to talk about. . .luckily, with the internet. . .there’s a lot of support that you can get without having to embarrass yourself or be public about it. . . (‘James’) I’ve been able to have very frank discussions about Graves’ Disease and the mental health issues that have come with it, with people of my own age, which I don’t think I would have ever had without it. (‘Emily’)

For one participant, sharing about her condition on social media more broadly (i.e. not just in an online health community) led to her re-connecting with old friends who had similar experiences to her in terms of illness, which led to bonding and renewed relationship:

I have been able to connect with some people that have had the same problems. Some of those people have had Graves’ Disease. . .some have had various different things. . .I have connected with a lot of old school friends who I haven’t spoken to in, like, 20 years, over similar sorts of issues. . .and I think that’s helped a lot. . .[ social media ] has made me reconnect with others. . . (‘Emily’)

One participant also reported that SNSs such as Facebook and Instagram helped her to maintain existing friendships and keep up-to-date with her friends’ social activities. The remote nature of this interaction, that could be experienced even when unable to be physically present with friends, was emphasised:

It helps in that when I am in home in bed, I’m still connected to all my friends, so I can still see on social media what people are up to, and I’m not missing out in that way. (‘Rebecca’)

Despite a number of participants citing reduced social isolation and developed or maintained friendships as a result of social media, four participants expressed the desire for face-to-face contact with other young adults, including young adults living with LTCs. This was as opposed to, or in addition to, online contact. It was felt that online interaction could only go so far in reducing social isolation, and that face-to-face contact was the preferred approach.

I think it would be really helpful to try and get these people together locally. To meet people your age that are going through the same thing. . .with social media, you can keep in touch with those people. But if they’re local as well, you can meet up with them. I think that would be really, really helpful, just bringing those people together face-to-face to actually discuss these sorts of things. (‘Ella’)

Comparisons: Normalising versus negative comparisons

Social media-based communities for people with LTCs were described by three participants as helping to normalise their experiences through hearing about, and comparing themselves to others who have had similar experiences, for example:

. . .it makes you realise how kind of normal you are in the grand picture because you think that you’re really abnormal. . . (‘Samantha’)

The above quote from ‘Samantha’ highlights how a Facebook group for people living with lupus helped normalise her experiences. Her life with lupus fell outside of broader social norms (making her feel ‘abnormal’), but within this online community she became ‘normal’ as she identified similarities between herself and others in the group. However, social media use more broadly could lead to participants making negative (‘upward’) social comparisons to healthy peers perceived to be ‘superior’, which exacerbated feelings of abnormality and inadequacy by seeing the fun things that others are doing/how others look. These factors then highlighted their inability to fit into broader social norms (e.g. be able to do certain things or look certain ways) which negatively impacted on their mental wellbeing and self-worth, as described by two participants:

. . .you do see people going off and doing amazing, wonderful things that you can’t, and that can be quite difficult to understand or accept. . .I don’t really do social media a lot. . .particularly when I was suffering with depression, logging onto Facebook and seeing everyone out doing wonderful things. . .makes you feel a lot worse really. (‘Emily’) . . .social media makes you feel like you should have a particular life, and if your life isn’t like that because of your condition, then it’s definitely a negative thing. . .you see all over social media people being really built up, but it wouldn’t be possible for me to ever achieve that kind of body because I wouldn’t be able to go to the gym. . .and I can’t eat enough to be able to sustain a body like that. . .definitely the social pressures of Instagram. . .which then makes you think about how you look. And then when you’ve got something else that’s affecting how you look which you can’t control, then it’s a bit complicated. . .It’s really difficult if you don’t fit the cookie cutter shape, and way of life. If you don’t earn a certain amount to be able to live that kind of life, and if you don’t have that kind of body. . . And then when you’ve got a condition, that only enhances all those things. . . (‘Rebecca’)

Community: Fitting in versus feeling left out

Five participants described how being part of an online group for people living with the same LTC helped them to fit it and led to a sense of belonging and shared identity, which relates to the shared understanding and normalising that occurred within the groups:

. . .before [having lupus]. . .I didn’t really have an identity. . .But now I kind of see myself as a lupus mummy and there’s lots of kind of different support groups, on Facebook mainly, where it makes you realise how kind of normal you are in the grand picture. . .and. . .people accept you. (‘Samantha’)

However, four participants described the theoretical benefits of online communities for helping to live well with their LTCs, but expressed frustration at not being able to find ones which suited their unique needs/situations. Some found that online communities predominantly comprised older people, people with a greater severity of the condition, or people predominantly of the opposite gender (in the case of one male participant); and they therefore felt unable to relate to others in the group. Others reported that due to having multiple conditions they struggled to find the best-suited group for their multiple needs and felt that they did not fit in with the groups available.

. . .I often think, ‘Should I be part of that group?’ With say chronic fatigue. . .it’s peaks and troughs and I would kind of feel, ‘Should I be there? Am I bad enough to be there?’ And the same with my thyroid, typically people that have had their thyroid removed are probably 30 years older than me. . .there are not that many people out there my age that have gone through what I’ve gone through. . .so, it may not be entirely relevant to me. . . (‘Ella’) . . .you feel a bit like you’re watching from the outside, and you’re like, oh yes, I connect with that, and that. . .but nothing specific. . .because you don’t fit into these categories. . .Because if you were just able to chat with other young people who are in the same boat, you’d be able to laugh about it a bit more, I think, rather than feel quite alone because of, you don’t fit. Because you’re already ostracised because of your condition, and then if you don’t fit a box in that condition, then you don’t have anywhere to go to, to talk to anyone about it. (‘Rebecca’)

Emotions: Inspiring versus distress contagion

Three participants reported that reading things shared on social media by others living well with their LTCs was inspiring, uplifting and encouraging:

. . .there’s a Crohn and Colitis charity. . .I have signed up to their Facebook page. It is quite encouraging to see the stories that they post of people who are living really good lives and of the research that they’re doing. . .that’s encouraging. (‘Anna’) . . .on Facebook [you] get all these kind of inspiring memes about life with lupus. . .it puts a smile on your face. . .it does help. . . (‘Samantha’) It’s like a post on Tumblr I used to see, the woman said, ‘Three years ago I was lying on the bathroom floor, crying, and now today I’ve just bought my first house with my husband. . .’ It’s empowering to know that people can get through this. . . (‘Alice’)

However, four participants reported that the sharing of negative experiences on online health communities could have negative emotional impacts on them:

It was so depressing. Everybody was, ‘Oh, I’m having a really bad day today.’ I just thought, ‘This is going to drag me down.’ So, I stopped going on there. (‘Elizabeth’) It can be a positive or it can be a negative because you do get people who wallow. . . (‘Tom’) I would say that I don’t go on it that much, because I tend to find there’s a lot more depressing stories on there, there is a lot of moaning. (‘Anna’)

Knowledge: Exchanging information versus fear of decline

Six participants referenced sharing and gaining of knowledge related to their LTC/s through social media. With regard to online health communities, participants talked about the mutual sharing of experiential knowledge. For example, regarding experiences of medications/treatments, coping strategies, and eating well:

They give you ideas of things that you can do at home with your children if you’re not feeling well enough to go outside, so that your kids aren’t just kind of stuck in front of the telly while you have a nap. There’s recipes as well, because I find that cutting out a lot of the processed food really helps my symptoms. . . (‘Samantha’) It’s interesting to see how other people’s reactions are to the drug and how people’s reactions are to Multiple Sclerosis full stop. . .I go on the board quite a lot when I’m having a relapse because it’s seeing how other people have adapted to that. . .I find those message boards good and quite informative. . . (‘Tom’)

However, reading about others whose condition had deteriorated further than their own, led to fearing their own future decline. In these cases, gaining information and knowledge was not always helpful:

It can be quite scary as well, seeing how far the condition can go and what potentially might happen to me. I think I would rather not know too much and not over analyse too much. Again, I think there is a bit of a balance there, I think if you live on social media too much it can become very overwhelming. But on the same side there’s a lot of good stuff that goes on and it’s nice to know that there are people researching to find cures and to find ways of helping people live better lives. . . (‘Anna’)

As the above quote from ‘Anna’ also highlights, social media was also seen as providing an opportunity for sharing new research about LTCs. This was also highlighted by two other participants, for example:

I found out about the hypobaric chamber treatment through Facebook. . .My cousin posted an article saying, ‘Fibromyalgia can be cured by hypobaric oxygen chamber’. . .the study said that 70% of the people involved received significant or total improvement. . .I just thought, ‘Wow. That’s got to be worth a try.’ (‘Elizabeth’)

Two participants also described finding memes (images that aim to convey a particular phenomenon, theme, or meaning) on Facebook pages for people with their condition, and then sharing it on their own Facebook timeline to be seen by their friends. This was seen as a way of raising awareness of the condition and its impacts amongst their wider friends:

See, I ‘liked’ a group on Facebook to do with chronic fatigue. . .those pictures with the inspirational quotes. . .I did lift one this time, saying something like, ‘I’m sorry if I’m not able to respond to your text. Sorry I’m not able to-’ just so that people actually- You know, my friends do say, ‘Okay, she genuinely can’t do it.’ (‘Ruth’) Pages that I’ve ‘Liked’ on Facebook, they post little images and they’ll have a little slogan. . .At the time, I was really struggling to make other people understand what I was going through and they’d just summarise it perfectly. So, it would be, ‘I am not being lazy, I am ill. I am struggling for x, y and z. . .’ That, kind of helped, because I’d ‘Like’ it and then hope that anybody who was fond of me. . .would then go, ‘Oh, okay.’ I did save a few and show them to my partner. Some of them made him quite upset, he’s like, ‘Really? That’s what you go through?’ (‘Elizabeth’)

Raising awareness of LTCs was also mentioned by ‘Luke’ as an important role played by social media:

I think awareness is a really good thing. . .that people do understand that it’s a real challenge for the people experiencing it. . .I think [ social media ] is very important for helping people understand. (‘Luke’)

The aims of this paper were to explore the role social media (including online health communities) plays in helping and/or hindering young adults to live well with their LTCs. The overarching theme was ‘a balancing act’. For most participants, social media use came with both ‘good and bad sides’, which required a balancing act to manage. At different times the balance could be tipped to one side and this required self-reflection and awareness in order to manage when and how to best utilise social media for the purpose of helping them to live well with their LTCs. The following subthemes were explored: (1) Relationships: reducing social isolation versus need for face-to-face; (2) Comparisons: normalising versus negative (upward) comparisons; (3) Community: fitting in versus feeling left out; (4) Emotions: inspiring versus distress contagion; and (5) Knowledge: exchanging information versus fear of decline. The uniqueness of this paper is that it explores social media use for young adults specifically, and explores not only the use of online health communities, but also the broader use of social media. Some of the findings align with existing research with older populations; however, some of the previously reported benefits were not reported by this exclusively young adult sample, and additional positive impacts were reported.

Both social media-based communities for people with LTCs, and social media use generally; were described as reducing social isolation. Feeling less alone and isolated, having increased social support, experiencing shared understanding and empathy, and engaging in reciprocally supportive relationships; were some of the benefits described by participants which align with earlier research (e.g. Allen et al., 2016 ; Kingod et al., 2017 ; Patel et al., 2015 ). Additional positive social impacts were reported. SNSs were seen as providing a means to discuss more openly about their condition and their struggles (more so than in ‘real life’) which was seen as particularly valuable in light of the perceived stigma attached to having a LTC in young adulthood. This stigma sometimes restricted such openness in wider friendship circles and social media paved the way for safe sharing of experiences without fear of stigma or judgement. This aligns with the literature on social media-based behaviour change interventions, which highlights that the potential anonymity of online groups allows participants to feel empowered by being in a safe environment, which is particularly beneficial in cases where health topics may be considered ‘taboo’ ( Santarossa et al., 2018 ). Another novel finding from the current study was that SNSs helped young adults with LTCs to maintain existing friendships as they were still able to see what social activities were happening, stay up-to-date with the lives of friends, and communicate with friends without relying on face-to-face contact. The remote capacity of this interaction meant that this social inclusion was not dependent on wellness; and although face-to-face contact was preferred, staying connected via social media was seen as better than no contact. However, it was still emphasised that online interaction could only go so far in reducing social isolation, and that social media did not provide a replacement for the need for face-to-face contact, building on earlier work ( Attard and Coulson, 2012 ; Caron and Light, 2015 ).

Social media-based communities for people living with LTCs were also seen to help normalise individual’s experiences through comparisons to similar others. This was in direct contrast to wider use of social media which could reinforce feelings of abnormality by highlighting how individual’s lives differed from social norms amongst their age group. Wider use of social media led to making negative (upward) social comparisons to peers, exacerbating feelings of inadequacy and abnormality by seeing the fun things that others were doing and how they looked. This then highlighted participants’ inability to do certain things or look certain ways which negatively impacted on their mental wellbeing and self-worth. This follows on from research with healthy adolescents and young adults, whereby social comparisons through social media have been found to lead to lower self-esteem, lower wellbeing, and body image dissatisfaction (e.g. Gothenburg Research Institute, 2012 ; Santarossa and Woodruff, 2017 ). We have found that this may also be the case for some young adults with LTCs. Negative social comparison is thought to motivate the individual to engage in self-enhancement and self-improvement in order to meet the comparison standard (e.g. Higgins, 1987 ); however, in the case of young adults with LTCs the condition may prevent them from being able to achieve this standard (e.g. through being unable to go out socialising, go travelling, earn more money, or achieve a particular body shape). Therefore, social comparison is potentially more harmful for young adults with LTCs as it could merely facilitate the identification of the discrepancy for the mismatch between the self and peers and the motivation to ‘improve’ the self; potentially without the ability to do so.

Participants described how being part of an online health community facilitated a sense of belonging, with their descriptions aligning with Yuval-Davis’ (2004 , 2011 ) definition of belonging as a feeling that one fits in, belongs and is in a safe space. Participants also described the formation of a shared identity within online health communities, building on Conrad et al.’s (2016) postulation that these communities lead to collective illness identities. These are pertinent findings as belonging has been described as a key determinant of health and wellbeing (e.g. Bernat and Resnick, 2009 ; Yuval-Davis, 2004 ). However, a unique finding from the current study was that others felt that they didn’t fit in to the social norms of online health communities due to issues around age (with the groups predominantly comprising older adults), gender (in the case of one male participant), condition severity, and living with multiple conditions. Therefore, not only can young adults feel left out from the interactions and experiences posted by their peers on social media, they can also feel left out from social media groups set up specifically for individuals living with LTCs.

Participants also reported that reading about others living well with LTCs on online communities could be inspiring, encouraging and uplifting; however, reading about negative experiences could be distressing. This supports the descriptions in the literature of distress contagion from participating in online health communities (e.g. Fergie et al., 2015 , 2016 ; Kohut et al., 2017 ; van Uden-Kraan et al., 2008 ). The sharing and gaining of knowledge related to LTC/s through social media was also described by participants. With regard to online communities, participants talked about the mutual sharing of experiential knowledge related to treatments/medications and coping strategies. This expands on Fergie et al.’s (2015 , 2016 ) research, who described the useful sharing of research through social media and experiential information through social media-based groups for people with diabetes or mental ill health. However, as with the above descriptions of distress contagion, this sharing could have negative impacts. For example, sharing about declining health could lead to fear of their own future decline.

Social media was also seen as providing an opportunity for raising awareness about LTCs amongst friends and family, through sharing of memes which portrayed an accessible message about the condition, and research. This follows on from Gonzalez-Polledo’s (2016) research with Tumblr users who experienced chronic pain and illness, who described the sharing of memes as a way to raise awareness and to communicate their illness. The need for raising awareness and reducing stigma about LTCs has been identified in previous research (e.g. Lambert and Keogh, 2015 ) and social media may offer a way of facilitating this.

Participants described both the ‘good and bad’ of social media, effectively weighing up the risks and benefits of its use and developing their own strategy for its use that maximises the benefits and minimises the harmful effects. This may shed some light on some contradictory findings reported in the wider literature. For example, in a systematic narrative review of social media use for adolescents; social media was reported to: increase social support, but also increase social isolation; to increase self-esteem, reduce social anxiety and promote mental health, but also increase risk of depression ( Best et al., 2014 ). The current research provides some insight into these supposed contradictions. For individuals with LTCs, social media can be both a help and a hindrance to living well with their LTC/s and it may be helpful to identify for themselves which aspects of engaging with social media are helpful and which are not. For example, if an individual notices that regularly going on Facebook and seeing other people travelling, socialising, and doing things that the individual is currently upset about being unable to do; it may be worth limiting time spent on Facebook and spending that time doing something that serves as a distraction/uplifts their mood. Likewise, if an individual is noticing that when they are feeling well they find it unhelpful to read negative posts on social media-based groups for their LTC as it worsens their mood and makes them fearful for the future; then it is perhaps worth not going on those groups when feeling well. But on the other hand, if when they are unwell those groups help them to feel less alone and provide an outlet to express negative feelings to others who understand, it will be beneficial to utilise it at those times. Self-awareness of the impact of social media on mood/wellbeing appears to be key in best utilising social media when living with a LTC in young adulthood.

It is important to acknowledge some limitations of this research. The current sample may not be fully representative of the wider population of young adults with LTCs due to the nature of those who self-selected to take part. The sample were predominantly female; all able to work or study in some capacity; and all were from a white ethnic background. This should be taken into account when considering the findings.

In summary, this study adds to the limited research exploring social media use amongst young adults with LTCs. Findings revealed that social media use comes with both ‘good and bad sides’, which requires a delicate balancing act to manage. At different times the balance could be tipped to one side (either ‘good’ or ‘bad’) and this required self-reflection and self-awareness in order to manage when and how to best utilise social media for the purpose of helping to live well with their LTCs. Social media was reported to reduce social isolation, but did not replace the need for face-to-face contact; making comparisons to others through social media could be normalising or could highlight perceived inferiority to ‘superior’ others; social media helped individuals to feel that they fit in and belong, but could also leave them feeling left out; posts on online communities could be inspiring and encouraging, or cause distress; and social media facilitated the sharing and gaining of new knowledge, but not all knowledge was positive and could lead to fear of decline. Individuals identified both the risks and benefits of using social media when living with a LTC in young adulthood; going through a process of working out how best to utilise social media for their own needs, including identifying when it is a hindrance to them living well. It is recommended that young adults with LTCs become self-aware about the impact of their social media use on their wellbeing, and identifying times when limited use of social media may be preferable. Being aware of making negative (upward) social comparisons to others according to how they present themselves on social media, is especially important for young adults with LTCs. Young adults with LTCs have heightened awareness of their discrepancies with societal expectations of young adulthood which they may not be able to attain due to their condition. Likewise, whilst there is indeed a ‘good’ side to social media use for young adults with LTCs, and future self-management research should continue to explore the role of social media; this should not be the sole focus as participants also desire face-to-face contact with peers in order to effectively reduce their feelings of social isolation.

Author biographies

Ceri Wilson is a Senior Research Fellow in Mental Health at Anglia Ruskin University, having previously obtained her PhD in psychology from Loughborough University in 2013. Ceri’s research interests and expertise centre on the promotion of mental health, wellbeing and social inclusion of mental health service users and individuals living with long-term physical health conditions.

Jennifer Stock is a Clinical Psychologist, having completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London. She previously completed her PhD at Loughborough University in 2014 then took up the role of Research Fellow at University of Greenwich followed by the role of Senior Research Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University. Jennifer’s research interests include positive ageing, dementia, physical activity, living with long term physical health conditions, mental health, and psychosis.

Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding: The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was conducted with funding from the Anglia Ruskin University Research and Enterprise Investment Programme 2015/16.

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Contributor Information

Ceri Wilson, Anglia Ruskin University, UK.

Jennifer Stock, King’s College London, UK; Bethlem Royal Hospital, UK.

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.

Leszek Czerwonka/Adobe Stock

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.

advantages and disadvantages of using social media essay

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.

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Essay on Social Media – Effects, Importance, Advantages, Disadvantages

advantages and disadvantages of using social media essay

Table of Contents

Essay on Social Media: The social media has undoubtedly changed the way we communicate and interact with each other. It has brought people closer and helped them connect with each other in ways that were never before possible. It is now becoming one of the largest means of communication and rapidly gaining popularity. Social media enables you to share ideas, content, information, news, etc., faster. In this article, we shall look at some essays on social media that talk about the effects, importance of social media, and its advantages and disadvantages.

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Here are essays on social media of varying word lengths to help you with the same in your exam. You can select any social media essay as per your need:

Long and Short Essay on Social Media in English

  • We have provided below short and long essays on social media in English.
  • These social media essays will improve your knowledge of the subject and make you aware of its pros and cons.
  • After reading the essays, you will be able to explain the meaning of social media and its various constituents, its advantages and disadvantages, etc.
  • You can use these social media essays in your school’s and the college’s several essay writing , speech and debate competitions, etc.

Essay on Social Media and its Impact

We live in an age where information is just a button press away. Although we are swayed by information all around us. We millennials want to know, read, understand and then speak our minds about it. That is where social media comes into play. Social media is one of the most significant elements we live with, and we cannot ignore it.

It is a collection of websites, applications, and other platforms that enable us to share or create content and also help us to participate in social networking. Social media is not limited to blogging and sharing pictures; there are a lot of solid tools also that social media provides. That is because the impact of social media is very high and far-reaching. It can make or break images.

But social media is a topic of controversy today, many feel it’s a boon, but a majority think it is a curse. Most believe social media has rapidly destroyed human interaction and modified modern human relationships. But others feel it is a blessing connecting us to every part of the world; we can meet our loved ones far, spread awareness, send security warnings, etc. There is a lot that social media can do. But it is an unarguable fact that social media has made our lives convenient, easier, and much faster.

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Essay on Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media

Social media plays a significant role in our lives today. We have access to any information at just a button push away. Anything that is so vastly expanded has both positives and negatives. The power of social media is very high and affects each individual. It isn’t easy to imagine our lives with social media today, and we pay the price for excessive use. There is a lot of debate about the effects of social media on society as a whole. Some feel it’s a boon, while others think it is a curse.

Positive Effects of Social Media

Social media allows the social growth of society and also helps many businesses. It provides tools like social media marketing to reach millions of potential clients. We can easily access information and get news through social media. Social media is an excellent tool for creating awareness about any social cause. Employers can reach out to potential job seekers. It can help many individuals grow socially and interact with the world without a hitch. Many people use social media to make themselves heard by the higher authorities. It can also help you meet like-minded people.

Negative Effects of Social Media

Many physiatrists believe that social media is a single factor causing depression and anxiety. It is also a cause of poor mental growth in children. Increased use of social media can lead to poor sleeping patterns. Many other adverse effects include cyberbullying, body image issues, etc. There is an increased ‘Fear of Missing out (FOMO) at an all-time high in youth because of social media.

Essay on Social Media

Essay on Social Media Addiction Essay on Internet Essay on Newspaper

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Essay on Social Media Impact on Youth

We cannot ignore that social media is one of the biggest elements present in our lives today. We can quickly get information and talk to anyone in any corner of the world. The youth is the future of our nation; they can make or break the economy. Social media is one of the most engaging elements in their lives today. It has a far-reaching impact on the youth, as they are the most active on social networking sites. Social media has a far-reaching impact on the youth, as they are the most active on social networking sites.

Social Network Impact on Youth

It’s a fad these days to be on social networking sites. If you do not have a digital presence, then for some people, you do not exist. The ever-rising pressure of being on social networking sites and having an impressive profile affects the youth in a big way. According to statistics, the average number of hours a teenager spends online is 72 hours per week.

This is very high considering that they have to give time to study, physical activities, and other beneficial activities like reading. It leaves little time for other things; hence, serious issues arise, like lack of attention span, minimum focus, anxiety, and complex issues. We now have more virtual friends than real ones, and we lose human-to-human connections daily. Other dangers include leaking personal information to strangers, sex offenders, etc. There are some positive effects.

Positive Impacts of Social Media

  • It is a good tool for education.
  • It can create awareness for many social issues.
  • There is a fast transfer of information online, so the users can stay well informed.
  • It can also be used as a news medium.
  • There are a few social benefits like communication with long-distance friends and relatives.
  • It can provide great employment opportunities online.

We agree that social networks have positive impacts, but like everything else, it also has cons.

There are many negative impacts also:

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Negative Impacts of Social Media

  • Enables cheating in exams
  • Dropping of grades and performance of students
  • Lack of privacy
  • Users are vulnerable to cyber crimes like hacking, identity theft, phishing crimes, etc.

Essay on the Importance of Social Media in Education

This is the age of smartphones and microblogging. Everything that we need to know is just a click away. Social media is the most widely used tool by all age groups today but is more popular among the youth and students. Keeping this in mind, researchers feel that social media can play a very important part in education. It can be used to reach out to many students and be highly effective.

Many academic thinkers feel social media is a deteriorating agent for students, but it can be highly effective if used wisely. Instead of arguing that social media is good or bad, we must find ways to use it for our benefit. How can social media be used to our advantage in education? Let’s try and answer this.

Importance of Social Media in Education

Today platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., are most widely used by( both) teachers, professors, and students, and they have become quite popular among them. Social media plays a very important role for students as it makes it easier for them to access and share information, get answers and connect with teachers. Students and teachers can connect and share content through social media platforms, using these platforms well.

Social Media Importance are the following:

  • Live Lectures: Many professors are conducting live video chats on skype, Twitter, and other places for their lectures. This makes it easy for students and teachers to learn and share while just sitting in their homes. How easy and convenient education can be with the help of social media.
  • Increased support : Since we use social media at our disposal at any hour of the day, teachers can provide off-hours support and solve queries of students even after class timings. This practice also helps the teacher understand their students’ development more closely.
  • Easy work : Many educators feel that social media makes work easier for students. It also helps the teacher expand and explore their own possibilities//skills// and knowledge.
  • More disciplined : The classes conducted on social media platforms are more disciplined and structured, as we know that everyone is watching.
  • Teaching aids : Social media can help students nourish their knowledge with many teaching aids available online. Students can watch videos, see images, check out reviews and instantly clear their doubts while watching the live processes. Students and teachers can make their lectures more interesting using these tools and teaching aids.
  • Teaching Blogs and write-ups: Students can enhance their knowledge by reading blogs, articles, and write-ups by renowned teachers, professors, and thinkers. This way, good content can reach a wide audience.

Below are the related topics to Social Media available at IL

  • Essay on Internet
  • Essay on Social Media Addiction
  • Influence of Social Media
  • Speech On Social Media
  • Disadvantages of Using Social Media

Essay on Social Media: Importance, Advantages, Disadvantages

Social media remains the most talked about thing these days. Many debates are going on regarding whether social media is good or bad. Many views are available to us, and it is up to us to read and understand them properly and reach a conclusion.

Importance of Social Media

Social media platforms help their users to connect, share and give information and content to millions of others. The importance of social media cannot be ignored since it plays a crucial role in our lives today.

  • Building a brand: Today, quality content, products, and services are easily accessible online. You can market your product online and build a brand.
  • Customer support: Customers can read reviews and feedback before buying a product or service and make a smart choice.
  • Social media is a great educational tool.
  • Through social media platforms, you can connect with your target audience.
  • It is also a great way to access quality information.
  • Social media can help you get the news and happenings in just a click.
  • Social media also helps you connect with friends and relatives and make new friends.

Advantages of Social Media

Social media comes with a lot of advantages. We can owe a substantial part of our society’s growth to social media. We have witnessed a blast of information and content in the last few years and cannot deny the power of social media in our lives.

Social media is widely used to create awareness for important causes in society. It can also help many noble causes run by NGOs and other social welfare societies. Social media can also aid the government in other agencies to spread awareness and fight crime. It is a strong tool for business promotion and marketing for many businesses. Many communities are built through social media platforms essential for our society’s growth.

Disadvantages of Social Media

Social media is considered one of the most harmful in our lives. Wrong use can lead to bad conclusions. There are many disadvantages of social media:

  • Cyberbullying: many children have become the victims of cyberbullying that has caused them a lot of harm.
  • Hacking: The loss of personal data can lead to security issues. Some crimes like identity theft and bank details theft can harm any individual.
  • Addiction: Prolonged use of social media can lead to addiction in youth. Addiction causes one to lose focus on other important things like studying etc. People get so absorbed that they get cut off from society and harm their personal lives.
  • Scams: Many predators are looking for vulnerable users that they can scam and make a profit off.
  • Relationship frauds: Honeytraps and MMS porn are the most caused fraud online. People are lured into relationships and love schemes and then cheated on.
  • Health issues: The excessive use of social media can affect your physical and mental health in a big way. People often complain of becoming lazy, fat, having itchy eyes, loss of vision, and stress issues after excessive use.
  • Loss of social and family life: Everyone being busy on the phone is one of the most common sites in a family gathering nowadays.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is social media in 5 lines.

Social media is an online platform or digital technology that enables users to create, share, and interact with content and connect with others globally.

What are 10 points social media?

Ten points about social media could include: a) It facilitates communication and networking, b) Allows sharing of information, news, and opinions, c) Offers a platform for businesses to promote their products and services, d) Provides opportunities for entertainment and content consumption, e) Can be a tool for social activism and raising awareness, f) Enhances personal branding and self-expression, g) Enables real-time updates and engagement, h) Can be addictive and time-consuming, i) Raises concerns about privacy and data security, and j) Requires responsible usage and digital literacy.

What are the 4 main social media?

The four main social media platforms commonly referred to are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. However, the social media landscape is vast and continually evolving, with many other platforms gaining popularity.

What is called social media?

Social media refers to the digital tools and platforms that allow individuals and organizations to create, share, and interact with content, as well as connect with others virtually.

Is social media helpful?

Social media can be both helpful and detrimental depending on its usage. It can facilitate communication, information sharing, and networking. However, it can also contribute to issues like misinformation, cyberbullying, privacy concerns, and addiction.

How social media affects our life?

Social media can affect our lives in various ways. It can impact our relationships, self-esteem, mental health, and time management. It can also shape public opinion, influence behavior, and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.

What are benefits of social media?

Some benefits of social media include: a) Facilitating communication and staying connected with friends, family, and communities, b) Providing a platform for sharing ideas, creativity, and talents, c) Offering networking opportunities for personal and professional growth, d) Enabling access to information, news, and resources, e) Supporting social causes and activism, f) Facilitating business promotion and marketing, and g) Fostering global connections and cultural exchang

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Essay on Social Media Advantages and Disadvantages

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Essay on social media advantages and disadvantages: – Social media is one of the modern means of communication that has gained popularity in recent times. But the advantage and disadvantages of social media have always been a topic of discussion for us.

So Today Team GuideToExam brings you some essays on social media along with the advantages and disadvantages of social media You can pick any of the essays on social media as per your need for your exam.

Table of Contents

Essay on social media advantages and disadvantages

Image of Essay on social media advantages and disadvantages

(Social media essay in 50 words)

At the present time, social media has become the primary means of communication in the world. Social media enables us to share our thoughts, ideas, news, information, and documents etc. There is always a question mark over social media – whether it boon for us or a curse.

But we can’t deny the fact that social media has made us more advanced and it has brought a revolutionary change in the field of communication.

Essay on social media advantages and disadvantages (150 Words)

(Social media essay in 150 words)

In this modern world, social media has occupied a separate place in our life. It has become a part and parcel of our life. Generally, social media is a group of websites or applications where we can share our thoughts, ideas, moments, and different information in no time.

The use of social media plays a vital role in globalization and it has brought a remarkable change in the field of communication.

But there are both advantages and disadvantages of social media. Lots of people think that social media is a blessing for us, but some others consider it as a curse on human civilization in the name of advancement of technology.

No doubt due to the popularity of social media now we can get united in a very short time and can take opinions from different people on an issue in just a click, but we have also witnessed different anti-social activities that are fueled by social media. So, the discussion on whether social media is a boon or curse for us will go on always.

Social Media Essay (200 Words)

Social media plays a vital role in our society and lives today. With the popularity of social media now different information has become accessible to us. In ancient times we need to go through a number of books to find out a piece of information. Now we can get on social networking sites by asking our friends.

We have both the positive and negative effects of social media on society. We can get connected easily through social media and can share or access information, thoughts, ideas, news, etc.

Now a day it has also been seen that social media has become a useful tool to spread awareness. On the other hand, social media marketing has brought the business to another level.

But we can’t deny the fact that there are some disadvantages of social media too. Some physician opines that excessive use of social media is one of the main causes of anxiety and depression for most people. It can also cause a sleep disorder.

In conclusion, we can say that there are lots of advantages of social media. It can be used for the benefit of human beings if we use it properly.

(N.B. – It is not possible to throw light on all the advantages and disadvantages of social media in a social media essay of just 200 words. We have tried to focus on the major points only. You can add more points in your essay from the other social media essays that are written below)

Long Essay on social media advantages and disadvantages

(Social media essay in 700 words)

Definition of Social Media

Social Media is a web-based platform that helps us to share Ideas, thoughts, and information among the communities. It gives us quick electronic communication of contents like Article, News, Images, videos etc. A person can access social media through a Computer, Tablet or Smartphone.

Using Social Media is a very powerful way to communicate among the people as it has the ability to connect with anyone in the world and share information instantly.

According to the latest report, there are approximately two Billion Social Media users in the world. The report also said that more than 80% of people between the ages of 18 to 30 used at least one form of Social Media.

Generally, people use Social Media to keep in touch with their friends and family members. Some people use it to share their thoughts, emotions, feelings etc. when some use it finds to find a Job or to network career opportunities.

Essay on Importance of Education in Our Life

Types of Social Media

The following are the various types of Social Media platforms from the beginning of this era.

  • Classmates – December/1995
  • Six Degrees – May 1997
  • Open Diary – October 1998
  • Live Journal – April 1999
  • Ryze – October 2001
  • Friendster – March 2002 (It is redesigned as a social gaming site nowadays)
  • Linkedin – May 2003
  • Hi5 – June 2003
  • MySpace – August 2003
  • Orkut – January 2004
  • Facebook –February 2004
  • Yahoo! 360 – March 2005
  • Bebo – July 2005
  • Twitter – July 2006
  • Tumbler – February 2007
  • Google+ – July 2011

Advantages of Social Media

People become more informed about current topics happening in their locality, in State or even in the entire world.

Social Media platforms help students to carry out research work as it becomes easy to do group discussions among the students even when they are far from each other.

Social Media is helping people (Especially Youngsters) to access new Job opportunities as many local Business Organizations recruit their employees through Social Media Platforms like Facebook, Linkedin, etc.

Social Media is helping people to stay up to date with current technology updates in this age of rapid technological advancements which is a very good sign for us.

Image of Social Media Essay

Disadvantages of Social Media

There are some disadvantages of Social Media as follows:

  • The rise of this virtual social world could a person’s ability to have a face to face conversation.
  • The excessive use of Social Media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram distance us from our families more than we actually think.
  • Various Social Media platforms are making our so convenient that it creates laziness

Importance of Social Media in Business Communication

Originally, Social Media was a way to interact with friends and family but later on, Business Organizations have taken interest in this popular communication method to reach out to customers.

Social Media plays a significant role in helping to grow businesses. Social Media platforms are becoming a natural place to reach targeted potential customers as 50% of the world’s population use social media now a day. Many business organizations recognize the benefit of social media as a communication platform to communicate with their customers.

Here are some of the advantages of using social media to build a brand or to run an existing business

  • By using social media, a business organization can create a real human connection to the customers
  • Social Media plays an important role in Lead Generation by offering an easy way for the customers to express interest in their business.
  • Social Media is becoming the most important part of the sales funnel of any business as the number of people using social media is growing day by day.
  • Social Media is an excellent platform to promote one’s well-researched content in front of new people to grow the audience base.
  • Social Media gives business owners the opportunity to connect with their fans and followers every time they log in to their accounts.

Conclusion to social media essay

Social Media is a crucial tool for almost all kinds of businesses. Business organizations use this platform to find and engage with customers, generate sales through promotion and advertising, and offer customers after sale service and support.

Though Social Media is becoming an important part of business organizations, unplanned activities on Social Media can kill a business too.

Final Words

Social Media is becoming an important part of our life, thus an essay on Social Media was needed. Taking this in mind, We, Team Guide to Exam have decided to write an essay on Social Media.

In this essay on Social Media, we are trying to include different category wise short essays for students of different standards. In addition to that, we have written a long essay on Social Media (700+ Words) for higher-level students.

A student can pick any of the above essays as a speech on Social Media.

Essay on Wildlife Conservation: From 50 Words to Long Essay

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Social Media — Pros and Cons of Social Media: Social Networking

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Pros and Cons of Social Media: Social Networking

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Words: 756 |

Published: Sep 16, 2021

Words: 756 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Should follow an “upside down” triangle format, meaning, the writer should start off broad and introduce the text and author or topic being discussed, and then get more specific to the thesis statement.

Provides a foundational overview, outlining the historical context and introducing key information that will be further explored in the essay, setting the stage for the argument to follow.

Cornerstone of the essay, presenting the central argument that will be elaborated upon and supported with evidence and analysis throughout the rest of the paper.

The topic sentence serves as the main point or focus of a paragraph in an essay, summarizing the key idea that will be discussed in that paragraph.

The body of each paragraph builds an argument in support of the topic sentence, citing information from sources as evidence.

After each piece of evidence is provided, the author should explain HOW and WHY the evidence supports the claim.

Should follow a right side up triangle format, meaning, specifics should be mentioned first such as restating the thesis, and then get more broad about the topic at hand. Lastly, leave the reader with something to think about and ponder once they are done reading.

A Good Hook Examples for Social Media Essay

  • The Digital Revolution: Step into the digital age and explore how social media has transformed the way we communicate, connect, and consume information.
  • Hooked on Notifications: Uncover the psychological tricks behind those red notification badges and how they keep us glued to our screens, waiting for the next update.
  • The Filtered Reality: Delve into the concept of a filtered reality on social media, where everyone’s life seems perfect, and examine the impact it has on mental health and self-esteem.
  • From Likes to Obsession: Discuss the addictive nature of receiving likes and comments on social media posts and its potential consequences on individuals and society.
  • Social Activism in the Digital Age: Explore the role of social media in driving social and political change, from hashtag movements to digital advocacy.
  • Rawath, S. S., Satheeshkumar, D. R., & Kumar, V. (2019). a Study on Impact of Social Media on Youth. Journal of Management (JOM), 6(1), 89-96. (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3526175)
  • Nesi, J. (2020). The impact of social media on youth mental health: challenges and opportunities. North Carolina medical journal, 81(2), 116-121. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32132255/)
  • Dredge, R., & Schreurs, L. (2020). Social media use and offline interpersonal outcomes during youth: A systematic literature review. Mass Communication and Society, 23(6), 885-911. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15205436.2020.1810277)
  • Kulandairaj, A. J. (2014). Impact of social media on the lifestyle of youth. International Journal of Technical Research and Applications, 2(8), 22-28. (https://www.ijtra.com/special-issue-abstract.php?id=impact-of-social-media-on-the-lifestyle-of-youth)
  • Valentine, L., McEnery, C., D’Alfonso, S., Phillips, J., Bailey, E., & Alvarez-Jimenez, M. (2019). Harnessing the potential of social media to develop the next generation of digital health treatments in youth mental health. Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry, 6, 325-336. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40501-019-00184-w)

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Advantages of Social Media

Social media has revolutionized our lives by changing the way we communicate and socialise, staying in touch with what’s happening around the world, conducting our businesses and so much more! It has truly transformed our world into a global village and has become an incessant part of our life. It has become one of the powerful tools of communication and information dissemination in the digital era. This blog brings you a detailed analysis of the benefits and advantages of social media in different aspects of our lives as well as the world.

Must Read: How to Build a Promising Career in Digital Marketing?

This Blog Includes:

Global reach, stay updated with latest news happenings, generates awareness, beneficial for businesses, advantages of social media for business, understanding the disadvantages of social media.

The following are the benefits and drawbacks of social media, as well as how it affects our lives on a daily basis.

Understanding the Advantages of Social Media

Ranging from Communication, Marketing to Education, there are countless advantages of social media. Let’s explore the key benefits of social media platforms that you must know about:

  • Enhances Your Global Reach
  • Helps with Dissemination of Latest World News
  • Helps in Creating Awareness
  • Promotes Businesses and Budding Entreprenuers
  • Makes Education Accessible
  • Makes Communication Faster and Easier

Social media has a global reach and these platforms are frequently used to connect with people from all across the globe. Further, you can share your thoughts on these global platforms and get to interact with people from all over the world. This higher-level connectivity is one of the top advantages of social media as it has put an end to geographical barriers and turned the world into a global community. You can also share information online at any social media platform to reach out to an international audience and with an easily available internet connection, anyone has access to this abundant knowledge. But this higher-level connectivity has also lead to cases of cyberbullying, hacking and security breaches, thus finding a safer balance between sharing information and making it accessible to the right audience has become extremely important.

Must Read: Global Studies

Earlier, the types of mass media that delivered news and recent happenings across the world were mainly print media or broadcast media and getting the breaking news would require you to either wait for the next day’s newspaper, watch it on TV or listen to it on the radio. But now you can explore the latest news anytime and anywhere by scrolling through the social media platforms on your smartphone. It is one of the prominent advantages of social media but has its own disadvantages as well. Accessibility of latest news and happenings has also lead to the spread of fake news across the social media which can often misinform people and thus can cause harmful circumstances. So, it is inherently crucial to verify the news and updates from social media by checking with the actual and verified sources.

Check Out: Types of Mass Communication

Another key point that deserves a mention in our list of advantages of social media is how it can be utilised to voice opinions and potentially generate awareness. There are numerous instances where social media platforms played a crucial role in bringing awareness and revolution and some of these include the Libyan Revolution, Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, the Ukrainian Revolution, to name a few. Moreover, Hong Kong protests are also a major example of how one can fuel a revolution in global politics using social media. But the critical question that arises for this advantage is that how to use it in a judicial manner and not to instigate the public. Thus, this factor needs to be considered while exploring the role of social media in bringing revolutions. Further, when it comes to using social media to spread awareness, you can take benefit of these global platforms to raise your voice against issues and aware people for different causes like environmental concerns, social issues, etc.

Quick Read: Career in Social Justice

While scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, you might have come across pages advertising and selling products and services online. eCommerce , eBusiness and social media marketing are amongst the major advantages of social media that have helped businesses reach a global audience as well as cut costs on traditional methods of advertising as well as conducting business. Nowadays, many businesses offer their products and services online contributing to the e-commerce sector and minimising the role of the middleman between the buyer and seller.

Small businesses have availed the different advantages of social media to build a stronger online presence as well as create a better connection with their customers. Using these platforms, customers can provide feedback to the buyer directly. This way, businesses can ensure customer satisfaction, facilitate a stronger relationship and locate their target audience in a better way as well.

Social media has played an important role in the educational sector through its global platforms connecting students with experts in almost every field of study. As we are living in the era of virtual learning, the advantages of social media can be put to great use when it comes to education. Using these platforms, you can easily reach out to the brilliant minds in your chosen field of study or follow top global leaders and great personalities with just a click. Further, you can find tons of informational videos on social media and learn something new every day. With most of these platforms providing the option of video calls, you can learn from the comfort of your home and brush up your skills to fulfil your academic and professional goals!

The following are some of the advantages that social media may provide for businesses.

Excessive usage of social media can result in 

  • Health Problems, 
  • A weak body, 
  • Sadness, 
  • Tension, 
  • Anxiety, 
  • And even death, 

According to the drawbacks of social media. Set aside time for its right use so that it does not result in ineffective labor. You may avoid these issues by limiting the amount of time you spend on social media. You may spend some time doing anything else instead of spending hours on social media. Instagram is the sole social network utilized by the young, according to studies, which has increased from 64 percent to 66 percent in the last two years.

The benefits and drawbacks of social networking are undeniable. It is entirely up to the users to make intelligent and active use of it. I hope that everyone wants to reap the benefits of social media, but no one wants to become a victim of it by being addicted to it. Now it’s up to you to consider if social media is beneficial or harmful to you. Also, if you feel that social media is invading your personal space, I recommend taking a break from it. After all, when you use something properly, it doesn’t get in the way of your job or your life; rather, it adds value to it by encouraging creativity, promoting health, and instilling enjoyment. You can read a  A white paper  on impacts of Social Media.

Hence, there are numerous disadvantages and advantages of social media in terms of different aspects. Planning to study a course in social media or digital media? Reach out to our Leverage Edu experts and we will help you in selecting a suitable course and university that aligns with your interests, preferences, and career aspirations. Sign up for an e-meeting with us today!

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Disadvantages of Social Media Essay

Social media has been a part of everyday life for years now, with millions of people using it every single day. While there are many advantages to social media, like connecting with friends and family, staying informed about current events, and even marketing a business or product, there are also some downfalls that should not be overlooked. Here are some sample essays on disadvantages of social media.

100 Words Essay on Disadvantages of Social Media

200 words essay on disadvantages of social media, 500 words essay on disadvantages of social media.

Disadvantages of Social Media Essay

It's no secret that social media can be addictive. And when you're hooked on social media, it can be tough to break the habit. You might find yourself checking your phone compulsively, or even staying up late at night scrolling through your Facebook feed. We need to be mindful of the amount of time we spend on social media, we need to be careful about the content we consume, and we need to make sure we're staying connected with real-life friends and family. Social media tends to show only the best parts of life—making it hard to remember that what we see isn't always reality.

People use social media to post things that they like, but they also use it to share experiences that they dislike. Modern social media may offer opportunities for face-to-face connections if used well, but it may also amplify feelings of disconnection. Overuse of social media could potentially reduce an individual's real-life relationships due to the way that it may inhibit the development of connection. When looking at the downsides of social media, excessive usage may result in bad health, weakened physicality, depression, stress, anxiety, and more.

There are many disadvantages of social media that should be considered. Here are a few of them:

Addictive | Social media can be addicting. Talk to a friend or family member about your addiction, or consult a therapist. With time and patience, you can overcome your social media addiction.

Time-consuming | Social media can consume a lot of time that could be spent doing more productive things.

Cyberbullying | Cyberbullying is a big problem on social media. It’s when someone is harassed, humiliated, or threatened online.

False sense of self | Social media can give people a false sense of self. People tend to only show the best parts of their lives on social media and this can lead to comparison.

When most people think of social media, the first thing that comes to mind is the positives: staying connected with friends and family, sharing photos and experiences, and so on. But what about the risks?

Risks of Social Media Usage

It's important to take measures to protect yourself online. For starters, you should only share information you’re comfortable with being public knowledge.

Here are some risks of using social media:

Academic Performance | You may have heard that social media can have a negative impact on academic performance. That's because when you're on social media, you're not spending time studying or completing assignments. It's also important to note that not all students are affected in the same way. Some students are better able to balance their use of social media and still get good grades. But for students who struggle with focus and concentration, it's best to limit social media use as much as possible.

Privacy and Security Issues | We all love to experience the thrill of connecting with people around us, but here's the thing you need to pay attention to-- are your private details safe on social media sites? Not necessarily. Social media platforms have been known to leak private data, such as phone numbers and addresses, without notifying users. There’s also a risk of having your account hacked and your personal information stolen. This could include passwords, or other sensitive information.

Setting up two- factor authentication whenever possible is a great way to secure your account and make sure no one else can access it without your permission.

Negative Effects of Comparison | When you’re scrolling through social media, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the people in your feed whose lives seem to be perfect. But what you often don’t see is that behind closed doors, even the most successful person may be struggling. Social media comparison can lead to feelings of jealousy and dissatisfaction with yourself, which may result in decreased self-esteem and increase emotional distress.

Real Life Interactions | One of the major downsides of social media usage is the impact it can have on real-life interactions. With people spending more and more time on their phones and devices, there is less time available to forge and maintain relationships in person. People are spending less time engaging with one another directly, whether it's hanging out at a friend’s house or striking up conversations at a party or restaurant, resulting in less meaningful conversations held in person.

So, what does this mean for you and your social media use? It means that, before you post that photo or share that update, you should take a step back and ask yourself: is this something I really want to share with the world? Is this something that could potentially embarrass me or hurt my reputation? Am I sharing this for the right reasons? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then it's probably best to keep that information to yourself. After all, social media is a public forum, and once something is out there, it's very difficult to take it back.

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Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

GIS officer work on various GIS software to conduct a study and gather spatial and non-spatial information. GIS experts update the GIS data and maintain it. The databases include aerial or satellite imagery, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, and manually digitized images of maps. In a career as GIS expert, one is responsible for creating online and mobile maps.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Database Architect

If you are intrigued by the programming world and are interested in developing communications networks then a career as database architect may be a good option for you. Data architect roles and responsibilities include building design models for data communication networks. Wide Area Networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and intranets are included in the database networks. It is expected that database architects will have in-depth knowledge of a company's business to develop a network to fulfil the requirements of the organisation. Stay tuned as we look at the larger picture and give you more information on what is db architecture, why you should pursue database architecture, what to expect from such a degree and what your job opportunities will be after graduation. Here, we will be discussing how to become a data architect. Students can visit NIT Trichy , IIT Kharagpur , JMI New Delhi . 

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Product manager.

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Operations Manager

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Stock Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a stock analyst examine the company's investments makes decisions and keep track of financial securities. The nature of such investments will differ from one business to the next. Individuals in the stock analyst career use data mining to forecast a company's profits and revenues, advise clients on whether to buy or sell, participate in seminars, and discussing financial matters with executives and evaluate annual reports.

A Researcher is a professional who is responsible for collecting data and information by reviewing the literature and conducting experiments and surveys. He or she uses various methodological processes to provide accurate data and information that is utilised by academicians and other industry professionals. Here, we will discuss what is a researcher, the researcher's salary, types of researchers.

Welding Engineer

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Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

Conservation Architect

A Conservation Architect is a professional responsible for conserving and restoring buildings or monuments having a historic value. He or she applies techniques to document and stabilise the object’s state without any further damage. A Conservation Architect restores the monuments and heritage buildings to bring them back to their original state.

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software. 

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Field Surveyor

Are you searching for a Field Surveyor Job Description? A Field Surveyor is a professional responsible for conducting field surveys for various places or geographical conditions. He or she collects the required data and information as per the instructions given by senior officials. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Pathologist

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Veterinary Doctor

Speech therapist, gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story. 

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Individuals who opt for a career as a reporter may often be at work on national holidays and festivities. He or she pitches various story ideas and covers news stories in risky situations. Students can pursue a BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication) , B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media) , or  MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication) to become a reporter. While we sit at home reporters travel to locations to collect information that carries a news value.  

Corporate Executive

Are you searching for a Corporate Executive job description? A Corporate Executive role comes with administrative duties. He or she provides support to the leadership of the organisation. A Corporate Executive fulfils the business purpose and ensures its financial stability. In this article, we are going to discuss how to become corporate executive.

Multimedia Specialist

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Process Development Engineer

The Process Development Engineers design, implement, manufacture, mine, and other production systems using technical knowledge and expertise in the industry. They use computer modeling software to test technologies and machinery. An individual who is opting career as Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing cost-effective and efficient processes. They also monitor the production process and ensure it functions smoothly and efficiently.

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

Information Security Manager

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

ITSM Manager

Automation test engineer.

An Automation Test Engineer job involves executing automated test scripts. He or she identifies the project’s problems and troubleshoots them. The role involves documenting the defect using management tools. He or she works with the application team in order to resolve any issues arising during the testing process. 

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Advantages And Disadvantages Of Social Networking

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Aakanksha M.

Checked : T. M. H. , Vallary O.

Latest Update 19 Jan, 2024

Table of content

There are pros and cons of using social media

However, there are some disadvantages of using social networks.

Social networks have become the essential part of private and professional life of many people all over the world. Research shows that the most popular sites worldwide are Facebook with 2.38 billion monthly active users, You Tube (2 billion users),WhatsApp (1.6 billion users). Six-ranked photo-sharing app Instagram has 1 billion monthly active accounts. About 2 billion Internet users are using social networks and these figures are expected to grow. The majority of social networks with 100 mln. users originated in America.

One of the most obvious benefits of using social networks is that you can keep in touch with your friends easily, quickly and cheaply. Besides, it’s a good way of making new acquaintances, communicating with people from different countries, discussing various topics, sharing photos and videos. Apart from this, many people use combined profiles in social media for business and private networking. Also, social networks give a great opportunity for many companies to make a market research and to   develop new products   and services. Monitoring social media you get direct and fast access to your customers’ interests, opinions and problems. Social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are excellent ways to communicate with customers. Some large international companies are working with project wikis, project blogs and have global virtual teams. They are already using file sharing, collaborative platforms for project teams. Social media are a platform for podcasts and webinars to show your customers how your product works. What is more, finding a job has become easier because employers update pages with the job descriptions and candidates can apply online.

One negative aspect lies in the fact that some teenagers spend so much time online. As a result of it , children suffer from the lack of live communication. They can become Internet addicts. Cyberbullying is a serious problem. According to statistics, about 37% of teenagers between the ages12 and 17 have been bullied online, most of them on the platform of Instagram. The people who experience cyberbullying are at a great risk for suicidal behavior.

Another problem is connected with hackers. They can get into our computers and use personal information for identity theft. We are worried by increasing cases of fraud. Scams are prevalent on popular social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. That is why it is highly recommended not to include your personal data such as your home address or phone number into your public profile. You should check and regularly update privacy settings on your social media accounts.

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All in all, we cannot disagree with the fact that social networks made our lives much easier. However, I think that social media will never replace real-life communication. I am convinced that blended networking, the combination of on-line and offline networking, is the way forward.

I agree with the statement: “People should lift their heads from their computer and phone screens and start living life”.

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    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 ...

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. Social Media: Advantages and Disadvantages

    On the other hand, social media also has disadvantages that affect the user experience. The immediacy and mass distribution of information through such platforms pose a threat to the credibility of published information. Social networks are used as mouthpieces of propaganda and fake news, which allows to manipulate of the mood of the public ...

  13. Essay on Advantages And 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 ...

  14. Essay#52

    Since the invention of social media, many people have been better able to connect with each other and also to keep up to date with the lives of their friends, families, co-workers and even celebrities, to such a degree which was previously impossible. However, social media has its risks. As people of all ages have access to social media ...

  15. 'Social media comes with good and bad sides, doesn't it?' A balancing

    For example, in a systematic narrative review of social media use for adolescents; social media was reported to: increase social support, but also increase social isolation; to increase self-esteem, reduce social anxiety and promote mental health, but also increase risk of depression (Best et al., 2014). The current research provides some ...

  16. 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 ...

  17. Advantages and Disadvantages of Social media Essay

    Additionally, this technique aids the professor in better comprehending the growth of their students. 3. Easy work. According to many instructors, social media facilitates pupils' academic work. Additionally, it supports the teacher's growth and exploration of their knowledge, abilities, and potential. 4.

  18. Essay on Social Media

    Essay on Social Media: Importance, Advantages, Disadvantages. Social media remains the most talked about thing these days. Many debates are going on regarding whether social media is good or bad. Many views are available to us, and it is up to us to read and understand them properly and reach a conclusion. Importance of Social Media

  19. Essay on Social Media Advantages and Disadvantages

    Some physician opines that excessive use of social media is one of the main causes of anxiety and depression for most people. It can also cause a sleep disorder. In conclusion, we can say that there are lots of advantages of social media. It can be used for the benefit of human beings if we use it properly. (N.B.

  20. Pros and Cons of Social Media: Social Networking

    The endless social media sites, from Facebook to LinkedIn, make it accessible to interact with many people. In relation to pros and cons of social media, argumentative essay can be helpful to resolve many diputes. Thesis statement: That is why, to analyze the pros and cons of social media, this essay discusses its effects on youth.

  21. Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media

    The following are the benefits and drawbacks of social media, as well as how it affects our lives on a daily basis. Advantages. Disadvantages. Connectivity. Connectivity is one of the most fundamental benefits of social media. It has the ability to connect an unlimited number of people from any location at any time.

  22. Disadvantages of Social Media Essay- 100, 200 and 500 Words

    Overuse of social media could potentially reduce an individual's real-life relationships due to the way that it may inhibit the development of connection. When looking at the downsides of social media, excessive usage may result in bad health, weakened physicality, depression, stress, anxiety, and more. There are many disadvantages of social ...

  23. Advantages And Disadvantages Of Social Networking

    There are pros and cons of using social media. One of the most obvious benefits of using social networks is that you can keep in touch with your friends easily, quickly and cheaply. Besides, it's a good way of making new acquaintances, communicating with people from different countries, discussing various topics, sharing photos and videos.

  24. Potential risks of content, features, and functions: The science of how

    Almost a year after APA issued its health advisory on social media use in adolescence, society continues to wrestle with ways to maximize the benefits of these platforms while protecting youth from the potential harms associated with them. 1. By early 2024, few meaningful changes to social media platforms had been enacted by industry, and no federal policies had been adopted.