The Momma Clan

Today, I woke up with my lifeline (i.e., phone) in hand, just like every other day. Nothing changed. It was the same morning, the same me, and the same old Android—Redmi Note 7. They say that change is the essence of life, but my relationship with my old phone feels more like a bug that pricks on the same old dry leaves.

While social media serves as a stress buster for me, I’m not particularly addicted to reels. Social media is a part of my life, but for many, it is life itself. Tears of happiness welled up when I received a notification to write about the impact of social media. I had been contemplating writing about it for a while, and finally, my thoughts translated into action. But do we truly understand what social media is? Let me explain.

Social media refers to online platforms and websites that enable users to create and share content, participate in social networking, and interact with others in virtual communities. The term “social media” emerged in the late 20th century with the rise of internet technologies and online communication platforms. Examples of social media platforms include Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat. Social media plays a significant role in everyone’s life, shaping it in different ways for each individual. However, social media is nothing without two essential components: a device and internet access. These two elements play a vital role in giving life to social media. In today’s world, social media plays a huge role in framing one’s life in a virtual format. While it may sound strange, it’s a reality that we cannot ignore.

Social Media Day is celebrated on June 30th every year. It was first launched by the popular digital media website Mashable in 2010 to recognize and celebrate the impact of social media on global communication.

While social media has positive impacts on one hand, it has negative impacts too. For artists, influencers, and businesspersons, social media is nothing less than a blessing.

Along with the consideration that social media has numerous benefits, it also raises significant concerns regarding privacy invasion, cyberbullying, mental health issues, the spread of misinformation, and the addictive nature of these platforms.

Privacy invasion is a major issue as personal data can be easily accessed, shared, or misused. The lack of robust privacy settings and the potential for data breaches make users vulnerable to having their private information exposed. Additionally, cyberbullying has become rampant on social media, leading to severe emotional distress for victims. This negativity can have long-lasting impacts on mental health, especially for young users.

The pressure to gain likes, followers, and comments can be overwhelming, contributing to anxiety and self-esteem issues. It’s normal to care about social media engagement, but if it starts to weigh heavily on you, it’s a matter of concern. The validation from these metrics can create a cycle of dependency, affecting overall well-being. Hence, it’s crucial to address the issue and find a healthier balance in the web world of social media.

In the AI-driven world, deepfake technology poses a significant threat by creating realistic yet fake videos that can damage reputations and spread false information. I heard this term for the first time in the case of Rashmika Mandanna, who was reportedly a victim of this technology, highlighting the risks involved.

Misinformation spreads rapidly on social media, often leading to confusion and mistrust. False information can go viral easily, causing real-world consequences.

Furthermore, the addictive nature of social media can severely impact productivity and well-being. The constant need to check updates and notifications can disrupt daily routines, leading to procrastination and decreased focus on important tasks.

In conclusion, while social media offers unparalleled connectivity and opportunities, it is essential to be aware of and address its potential negative impacts on privacy, mental health, and productivity. Balancing its use and promoting positive interactions can help mitigate these concerns.

Thus, the impact of social media on any individual depends on their mindset, and no one can change their perspective. Remember, it’s your life, so it is completely your choice what to do and what not to do in it. There may be some people who just want to keep their life private and some who do not. It’s their choice, and we must respect everyone’s choice. Neither choice is wrong. You can either take it in a positive way if you want to live a productive life or in a negative way if you want to lose your life. Are you trying to find out what “lose your life” means here? It means social media is like a poison that is degrading one’s life slowly if you are unable to use it wisely.

Now, we’ve reached the end of this blog.

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Till then, stay happy and blessed!

-Lima Das