The term social media refers to a computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through virtual networks and communities. Social media is internet-based and gives users quick electronic communication of content, such as personal information, documents, videos, and photos.
Do you know what situation is likely to cause a quarrel? Gather a representative from each generation and put them in a room together. Then ask them to converse about social media.
The result would be interesting. And that may be putting it mildly. It is not hard to imagine the baby boomer ranting about how today’s youngest generations don’t know how to look up from their phones. Meanwhile, the millennials might be rolling their eyes while scrolling through their app.
While the descriptions above are certainly generalizations, there are differing perspectives among the generations. The conversation has the potential to break down faster than a trending hashtag becoming yesterday’s news.
When it comes to the social media vs. reality conversation, it’s all about perspective.
Boomers lived most of their lives before the internet and social media ever existed. ‘Social’ meant going outside to play with friends. Toys were a luxury, so spending the day making up games was normal. They brag about playing outside all day when they were kids, and it’s their badge of honor to tell stories of how their parents had no idea where they were until it was dark.
But for kids today, they’ve never known life before the internet, life before Facebook and Twitter, or life before these snappy chatter apps. The generation growing up now has never known social life without screens.
How does social media affect reality?
Undoubtedly social media can negatively affect a person’s self-perception and mental health. This is caused by comparing ourselves to unrealistic images on social media of what we believe we should look like. This can then lead to dissatisfaction with our appearance and self-perception.
Using social media too much can amplify anxiety and depression, and generally make us feel lonelier and more disconnected. It can intensify our sense of isolation and separateness from others by tricking our minds into comparing ourselves to the idealized personas of our online “friends” in so many ways.
But there are many benefits of social media-
Top 10 Benefits of Social Media in the Digital Era
- Solidifying Brand Identity
- Increasing Brand Activity.
- Generate Online Traffic.
- Staying Alive.
- Better Conversion Rates.
- Increasing Brand Loyalty.
- Partnering up with Influrencers.
- Assessing the Competition.
- Selectively Advertising.
- 10.User- generated data.
Social media may promote negative experiences such as:
- Inadequacy about your life or appearance.
- Fear of missing out (FOMO).
- Isolation.
- Depression and anxiety.
- Cyberbullying.
- Self-absorption.
- A fear of missing out (FOMO) can keep you returning to social media over and over again.
May I know how does social media affect you? Can you tell me in the comment session?