Social media took the world by storm, with what felt as an immediate connection to the entire globe, transforming the way in which we socialise as a species. Social media has also been target to concerns regarding it’s impact, particularly on youth, as with the quick adaptation of the system not allowing Governments to establish appropriate legislation to limit its power. However, many hail social media as being groundbreaking, with it’s abilities to connect communities (both physical and digital), an ability to inform the mass, and a way to connect individuals when physical barriers may be relevant.

The Negatives

Both right and left leaning groups have lobbied for heavy legislation on social media companies for nearly two decades, with most of them raising a valid point on whether social media may have a negative effect on youth, considering the raising youth crime rates, and exposure to adult material.

However, while these claims are warranted, it can often ultimately fall back on the parent, with many arguing their it’s job to monitor and filter what content they’re consuming on the internet. And many argue we shouldn’t be limiting the power of social media and the internet to accommodate for lazy parenting, simply handing your child an iPad when they’re misbehaving so you can relax can potentially have severe effects on cognitive and social development.

The Positives (Spoiler Alert: They Might Outweigh The Negatives)

We’ve actually seen first hand how powerful these apps can be, without social media we wouldn’t be nearly as informed of the current issues relevant in other countries such as Palestine and the war in Ukraine. This is referring to the ability to inform mass, as it can be unreliable to rely on large news corporations to cover issues they may deem as “unimportant” or too controversial.

I’ve even experienced how social media can connect us to those we might not be able to physically connect with. Recently I posted a TikTok and it performed decently (roughly 250k views), and it caught the attention of one of my favourite DJs and she interacted with the content. It’s also allowed me to connect to those from different countries, allowing me to form friendships and network across international borders.

Social media can also positively impact those on a local scale, community Facebook groups have become extremely popular, with most towns hosting their own digital forum for community members to connect and inform. I’ve seen on my community Facebook group individuals, create events, put out alerts for missing pets or persons, post public service announcements and even just share “feel good stories”.

Conclusion

In summary, while I believe that social media as whole needs criticism and improvement; we should try to limit it. Social media is a powerful tool, and we should treat it as such for the greater good.

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