Every social media user knows that it has its pros and cons. But as much as we’d like to get rid of social media, it is a reality of today, and we would do better to learn how to make it a positive force in our lives.
Amy Jo Martin, American speaker/author, stated this, regarding social media’s benefits: “Social media is the ultimate equalizer. It gives a voice and platform to anyone willing to engage.”
Bill Murray, American actor/comedian, contradicts this statement with the following, regarding the negative effects: “Social media is training us to compare our lives instead of appreciating everything we are.”
World renowned digital anthropologist, Brian Solis, sees both sides, stating this: “The good thing about social media is it gives everyone a voice. The bad thing is… it gives everyone a voice.”
I believe that Brian says it best! Social media can be a very efficient way of reaching out to others; sharing talents, passions, and opinions; communicating with long-distance family and friends; and spreading positive messages.
However, despite these benefits, an ugly side tends to shine through more prominently in our society today. We see users rush to degrade other users and tear them down without hesitation — behind the protection of a screen.
We suffer the consequences of public news platforms sharing biased and incomplete information in their posts, knowing that it will cause both hatred and division among many.
We see the negative effects of social media on on mental health, relationships, body image, diets and everyday living, education, class conflicts, and the ability to have meaningful face-to-face interactions.
Can it be good? Yes!
Can it be bad! Definitely.
I believe we can all find common ground on the idea that social media has both a good and a bad side. But to see the “good side” occur more frequently would be both beneficial to us as individuals in our personal lives and to our society as a whole.
So, how can we better use social media as a positive force in our world today?
- Make your intentions clear to yourself. Will they hurt or negatively affect those who view my account/posts?
- Take the easy way out. If someone or something you see continually bothers you, brings you down or causes anger, simply delete, unfollow or block that account. Save yourself the time it would take to comment rude or hateful comments on another’s post.
- Connect with friends … but in person! Social media is a great way to reach out to others, but don’t disregard the importance of face-to-face interactions. In situations where you feel safe, make plans to meet up with those you love, want to know better or enjoy talking to.
- Set time limits! New technology allows us to more easily moderate our social media use. Take the time to set those time limits on your platforms as a means to remind yourself to instead go outside, read a book, do your homework, converse with family or friends or find something that brings you peace and relaxation.
- Understand that not everything you see is real. So much media tends to lead us to believe in a false reality, giving us the idea that those we follow have perfect lives, perfect bodies, or perfect families, when in reality, this is almost always not true. Avoid comparing yourself to other users.
Research stated on https://www.perzonalization.com explains that “there are nearly 3.5 billion active social media users, and every 6.4 seconds a new account has been created. Every user has an average of 7.6 social media accounts. They spend around 142 minutes on social media every single day.”
With all this use, social media could make a real positive impact if everyone stepped up to the challenge. I encourage each of you, who have social media platforms, to evaluate how you use it, how much you use it and how you can allow it to be a more positive force in your own life and the lives of others.
– by Hailee Eyre (18) Cedar City/Panguitch
Feature image courtesy Tracy Le Blanc.
Find out some ways social media could be restricted by law in Updating the Legislation on Social Media Use.
Hailee Eyre – Panguitch
Hailee Eyre is a journalist at The Byway. She attended Southern Utah University in the fall and is pursuing a career in the medical field. Her favorite topics to write about are those that intend to inspire others, providing motivation as means to better yourself or the world around you. In her free time, Hailee loves to be outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, boating or hiking.
Hailee is currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pennsylvania and New York Church History Sites Mission.