Letter to the Editor: Social Media

My personal opinion on the benefits and drawbacks of social media is that I appreciate the opportunities and entertainment it provides to an extent. It helps social interactions but can also effect how people react when meeting face to face. After getting used to messaging via social media, the in person communication skills can either be possessively or negatively effected. For example, it is easier to create a fake persona over social media because you can edit your thoughts and not be completely real about your personality. Social media also makes it easier to create a fake stigma about what your life looks like through the documentation of what is assumed is the creators everyday life. For example, most people document their lives to make it seem more lavish and desirable. Which can be harmful to those watching their content. This can be seen with many celebrities such as the Kardashians.

Social media helps with businesses and people who are trying to get their name out there Social media can also be unsafe. Cyber bulling is a big part of the social media. People use social media to use accounts to make fun of people and message them hateful stuff. In my opinion, Little/younger kids shouldn’t have social media till they’re older. There are many people who decide to use their devices and social media to target children, which is extremely unsafe.

Some people see social media as a dating opportunity and find new people with it, using platforms such as tinder or hinge. With that being said catfishing on social media can be dangerous. Talking to someone who may be used faked pictures or cropped photos that seem real but are not the person you are actually talking to. Social media however can help explore and promote businesses. social media can help people get out in the world easier. People also have to be aware of scammers and the fake accounts trying to steal your social media identity. Social Media overall is pretty good good way to connect with old friends because so many people have social media, you can find anyone these days with it. Social media also helped so many small businesses get bigger. I also feel that social networks can be very distracting and addicting at the same time, such as at school when a student cant get off their phone.

“Social Media Tools” by jrhode is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.