Social media is now a very important part of our lives. There is no doubt that now the world can’t live without it more than ever. If at all there is any downtime in any of the social media applications available, a lot of people will definitely be anxious for it to be resolved as soon as possible. There is actually a time when Facebook and Instagram had downtime for some time and Twitter was on fire. To most people, it felt like an eternity and it brought light to how much people love these particular platforms. This means that in one way or another social media is affecting us.
A lot of research has been carried out on the effects of social media on our lives. And I feel like it is very important for people to be aware of how social media affects them on an individual level. There are times when social media feels like the best thing to have ever happened to the world. While other times it feels like a cell that is very hard to get out of. Today let’s talk about how social media really affects us.
Mental State
For starters, social media is a healing tool that we all need to appreciate. Social media can lift your moods up almost instantly on the worst of days. Round of applause for all the brilliant content creators out there. They really do help us feel alive in the darkest of days. From words to video content, social media has had a very positive effect on the lives of many individuals. There are several posts available online on how individuals defeated the urge to kill themselves through the power of social media.
But on the flip side, social media can be a really sad place. Makes you feel like your life is in the gutter for lack of a better word. Cyberbullying is one of the hardest things to stomach no matter how strong you are. This is in fact one of the major negative effects that social media has brought. It is actually sad to acknowledge that social media can make someone feel depressed, lonely, and sad.
Growth
Social media has some excellent effects on the human race as through it you can learn so much. Through social media, I have learned how to cook, bake, and drive a car (simulation). I have also learned gratitude, self-love, and a lot more about self-care and love. I have also learned how to code and make websites and this has brought a positive impact on my life. This means that through social media you can literally learn any skill you want, and use it to grow your career and all.
The beauty of social media is that you can use it to grow and mature your dreams. Through social media, people have been able to grow businesses and build a life for themselves. The rise of social media has had it important for businesses and organizations to use it to reach their customers and build revenue.
Political Stand
The Kenyan elections will be held on August 8th this year and with social media in-play, our choice of leaders will be influenced by this. As one wise man once said, if you hear something enough times you will start believing it is the truth. Social media is built on such algorithms that in no time you will actually start believing what you see and you will of course influence the people around you to believe in it too. That is how a certain political leader will become your favorite candidate for a certain position. We highlighted how Kenyan politicians can use social media during this period here.
It is actually a proven fact that social media affects the outcome of any general election in the world of today, especially if the majority of a country’s population is tech-savvy. One in eight Kenyan adults gets their political news primarily through social media. People who get their political news primarily through social media tend to be less well-informed and more likely to be exposed to unproven claims than people who get their news from traditional sources.
Activism
Social media is slowly killing real activism and replacing it with ‘slacktivism’. Social media has made it easier for people to defend people’s rights and advocate for change through various platforms. But with the rise in online activism, real-life activism is dying. While social media activism brings an increased awareness about societal issues, questions remain as to whether this awareness is translating into real change. Some argue that social sharing has encouraged people to use computers and mobile phones to express their concerns on social issues without actually having to engage actively with campaigns in real life. People now use the like button to show their support.
A study by the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School Of Business found that people are likely to use the like button instead of actually committing time and money to a charitable cause.
Social media has brought about various effects and to be honest, there are both positive and negative effects. It is important for individuals to find out how social media is affecting their lives. Let not people define how social media is affecting you. And once you know how it is affecting you, find a solution that will work for you. Let social media be part of your joy, let it build you and not destroy you. Always remember to use social media responsibly as people are watching and that the internet never forgets.
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