StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Effects of Social Networking Sites on Society - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The objects of analysis for the purpose of this assignment are social networking sites, websites that allow people to interact and communicate with friends and family by creating public profiles and sharing connections. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+ are examples of such sites…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94.9% of users find it useful
Effects of Social Networking Sites on Society
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Effects of Social Networking Sites on Society"

Do social networking sites have mostly positive or negative effects on society? Social networking sites are websites that allow people to interact and communicate with friends and family by creating public profiles and sharing connections. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+ are examples of such sites. With the growth and spread of the internet, the use of social networking sites has grown rapidly over the recent past. This has led to the debate on whether these sites have a positive or negative influence on our society. Just like any other form of technology, the use of social networking sites has its own disadvantages owing to the fact that these sites are sometimes misused. However, social networking sites have a positive impact on our societies. Social networking sites enable for sharing of knowledge and information online, allow business communicate with their customers and act as powerful platforms for advertising and marketing. Social networks are an important tool of communication that allow for sharing of ideas and information. In a research conducted by Trisha Baruah (2012, p. 8 par. 2) on the effectiveness of social media, the author notes that social networking sites allow the users to share ideas, events, activities and interests with the networks they have created. In addition, these sites have helped to bridge the communication gaps that were characterized by other forms of communication. In particular, social media helps maintain long distance relationships since content creation and sharing is easy since it is done over the internet. As an example, the power of social media as a communication tool can be seen in the revolutions that took place in the Arab world. As a result of these revolutions, political change was brought to these nations. Opponents of social networks have argued that it creates a false sense of connection, thereby destroying meaningful relationships. In the end, these opponents argue that social networks weaken meaningful relationships and concentrate more on virtual relationships (Jung, 2015, par. 2). Contrary to this argument, social networks enhance these relationships by ensuring that friends and families remain in close contact. With tools such as Skype and Tango, it has become easy for people to connect online, and this strengthen relationships in the real world. Secondly, social media is a powerful tool for marketing and advertising. Through the use of these technologies, companies are able to maintain good relationships with their clients and at the same time introduce new products and services to the market (Baruah, 2012, p.8 par. 6). Most of the organizations today use this technology to bring new products to the market. Through these sites, companies can collect the views and opinions of the consumers regarding various products, and this helps in enhancing the quality of these products. Companies are able to get customer feedback and also provide customer support through these sites. Major companies and organizations have online support through social media. In a recent episode, I recall using social media to get assistance about a service offered by my mobile service provider. Not only was this service effective but also timely. Critics of social media argue that organizations are turning people into branded products by collecting their views online. They argue that businesses are simply taking advantage of users online by taking away their online personas. It has been further argued that the use of social media in advertising exposes an organization to numerous risks resulting from defamation and privacy. For example, some critics state that the use of these sites could lead to defamation risks where employees make defamatory statements about other competitors. In addition, it has been argued that companies may find it difficult t protect the privacy of the users who join their sites. Although these risks may be realistic, it is possible for companies to employ the right strategies to mitigate the risks. Specifically, companies can identify the key people who will be responsible for ensuring that the social media strategy is well monitored and executed. Such risks will thus be eliminated. Social media has made it possible for people to find products in an easy and effective way. Unlike before, people no longer have to visit physical stores to learn about the products and services offered. In addition, social media users are at liberty to choose the information they share online. Third, social media has been found to enhance self-image and confidence among the users. In an article by Kelly Wallace (2014, par. 9), the author reports that research has shown that social media makes teenagers feel confident. The author reports the findings of the research conducted by Common Sense Media, which is a child advocacy group, which show that social media helps teenagers feel less shy (Wallace, 2014, par. 9). This is because through social media, people are able to interact with many people from various backgrounds. Through this interaction, the user’s confidence is enhanced, and this is helps him/her interact with others more effectively in the real world. Social media is analogues to a mirror: when one looks at himself/herself through the mirror, they tend to appreciate their beauty and other attributes. In this case, the connections we make through social media are like the reflection through which we see ourselves. The views by others and comments help build our confidence. Opponents of social media argue that these sites have in fact enhanced cases of cyber bullying, which have in turn reduced people’s confidence and self-image online, especially among teenagers (Jung, 2015, par. 3). Whereas this may be true, it should be noted that cyber bullying only affects a small percentage of users. In addition, cyber bullying can be addressed by teaching younger users on how to use these sites and the people to interact with. Unlike what critics portray, the effects of cyber bullying are limited and cannot be used to erode the positives of social media and social networking. Fourth, social networking sites are good platforms for relieving stress, anxiety and boredom. In world where people are faced with challenges and stress arising from the workplace, families and friends, network sites such as Twitter and Facebook are important for reveling such stress. When people communicate and interact with many people, they tend to share ideas on how to deal with such problems. By chatting with a colleague or friend, a person can reduce anxiety or stress. Social media can be compared to a visit to the park where an individual gets the opportunity to get his/her mind off the stresses of life. Critics of social media suggest that social media are replacing real connections and rapport. For these critics, such connections are only effective if they are on person-person basis. However, this is not true because social media makes it easy to build a large connection of people within a short period of time. This is not a substitute for one-on-one interactions but rather helps to reinforce such interactions. Finally, social networking sites play a key role during disasters. Through social media, it is impossible to reach out “and communicate with massive numbers of people” (Anonymous, 2012, par. 36). This helps the rescue teams to coordinate the response efforts and ensure that a large group of people take part in the rescue efforts. For example, in the event of an earthquake or flooding, the Red Cross may opt to use social media to educate the affected people of the best evacuation routes and nearest medical facilities. This is contrary to what the opponents of social media believe. Critics of social networks argue that these sites make people lazy because they only remark or comment on events without participating in them. It is argued that most people are comfortable taking part in such events only through online platforms but not physically. In reality, this is not the case. Most of those who interact with events online are likely to be active participants in the real world. In the case of natural disasters, people are willing to help others or move to safety based on what they have read or seen on social media. In this case, social media helps to bring the information to the people who in turn act on that information. To conclude, this paper has demonstrated that social networking sites have helped enhance communication and interaction among users. Critics of social media argue that these sites have reduced the quality of interactions and have made people lazy. It has been also argued that social media poses major threats to organizations that use these platforms for advertising and marketing. Through this technology, the barriers of time and place that were once a characteristic of other traditional forms of communication are reduced. Throughout the essay, it has been argued that social networking sites provide a good platform for communication and interaction. Through social media, people are able to build relationships, share knowledge and boost their confidence. These benefits are not only limited to individuals but are also enjoyed by companies and organization. Companies use social media to enhance interaction with consumers. With the growth of the internet and mobile devices, the use of social media is likely to increase in the coming years. It cannot however be denied that there are no negative effects of these sites. However, with proper education and responsible use, these negative effects can be addressed. In the end, social media will continue to play an important role in our societies. Word count: 1533 References Anonymous (2012). Do social networking websites positively impact the world? Baruah, T (2012). Effectiveness of Social media as a tool of communication and its potential for technology enabled connections: A micro-level study. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 2(5), 1-10. Jung, B. (2015). The Negative Effect of Social Media on Society and Individuals. Chron.com. Retrieved 19 June 2015, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/negative-effect-social- media-society-individuals-27617.html Wallace, K. (2014). Social media positive for teens? Maybe! - CNN.com. CNN. Retrieved 19 June 2015, from http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/21/living/social-media-positives-teens- parents/ Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(Effects of Social Networking Sites on Society Essay, n.d.)
Effects of Social Networking Sites on Society Essay. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/information-technology/1880865-do-social-networking-sites-have-mostly-positive-or-negative-effects-on-society
(Effects of Social Networking Sites on Society Essay)
Effects of Social Networking Sites on Society Essay. https://studentshare.org/information-technology/1880865-do-social-networking-sites-have-mostly-positive-or-negative-effects-on-society.
“Effects of Social Networking Sites on Society Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/information-technology/1880865-do-social-networking-sites-have-mostly-positive-or-negative-effects-on-society.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Effects of Social Networking Sites on Society

The Impact of Social Networking Sites

This essay "The Impact of social networking sites" is about the rapid pace of innovation in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) that has abruptly transformed the ways of lives and businesses.... he social networking sites over the last decade stand as new options provided by ICT that have facilitated society by providing them interesting and attractive ways of interacting with people.... social networking Websites and Society The advent of advanced technology has paved the way for certain new ways of social interaction....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Social Netwoking

A researcher was stated as saying “What we found was that students using social networking sites are actually practicing the kinds of 21st century skills we want them to develop to be successful today” (University of Minnesota 2008).... These social networking sites can help the educators to inform the younger generation about possible topics through these social networking sites.... The educators can use these social networking sites as a tool to inform and educate their audience in a way that an interest is created amongst the students (Warner 2008)....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Is social networks a waste of time

However these workers can use these social networking sites to their advantages.... It is not necessary to completely stop the students from accessing these social networking sites but it is necessary that the students are kept under observation so that they do not access it in unusual times.... Warner cites creativity as an advantage of the social networking sites if the students use it in the right way.... Warner believes that the students should be encouraged to use social networking sites in a positive way so that this creativity can exist in these students....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Are Social Networking Sites Good For Our Society

Are social networking sites Good for Our Society?... Firstname Lastname Name of Institution Introduction social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace and Twitter, have gained popularity and have dominated the online activities of many Internet users.... In some literature, one may encounter the term “social networking sites.... Barnes to describe “a complex set of relationships between members of social systems at all scales” (“Social Network,” n....
14 Pages (3500 words) Research Paper

Social Networking Sites

This essay would analyze these relationships in the context of the social networking sites (Warner 2008).... This promotes a healthy relationship among two people who originally do not know each other but are able to convey each other's views by the use of chatting as provided by these social networking sites.... social networking sites have also impressed a great number of conservative people that used to think that this “Facebook trend” or “Twitter trend” will seriously endanger the personal and social life of man, but through these websites, people have become more social than ever....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Pros and Cons of Social Networking

The development and expansion of social networking sites has brought about great benefits for the society.... The development and expansion of social networking sites has brought about great benefits for the society.... Individuals in favor of social networking present an argument that to those with access to computers and the internet, social networking sites are of great advantage.... The paper dwells on the advantages and disadvantages of social networking....
5 Pages (1250 words) Term Paper

Developments in Social Networking Sites

This literature review "Developments in Social Networking Sites" discusses the effect of the development of social networking sites that are incessantly ongoing as the network becomes more integrated.... Despite a regulated level of intimacy and depth, one cannot downplay the need and importance of social networking sites.... In this way, social networking sites and their constant development are only fitting to the needs of society and we ought to milk their benefits to the maximum for the sake of progress....
7 Pages (1750 words) Literature review

Positive and negative effects of social networking

For instance, many youths who are among the majority of social networking sites such as Face book, Twitter, You Tube, MySpace among others undergo varied problems such as depression, stress and loneliness that may lead to committing suicide (Feinstein, Bhatia, Hershenberg and Davila, 2012).... Positive and Negative effects of social networking Name: Lecturer: Institution: Course: Date: Positive and Negative effects of social networking The advanced technologies that have risen as a result of globalization have led to significance changes in the contemporary society....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us