Social media is a powerful revolution that has changed our lives globally. In more than a decade, the impact of social media has gone from being an entertaining extra to a fully integrated part of nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Some individuals however, contend that social media isn’t a utility. It’s not like power or water where all people care about is whether it works. Young people care about what using one platform or another says about them.The question is, are we safe in social media spaces? Any piece of information can now get attention. Social media continues to evolve at a lightning speed politically, economically and socially which makes it difficult to predict which way it will transform next. The challenge moving forward is not having the best features, but staying relevant in the contemporary world.
The scope of issues we recollect within social media is broad. Social media is like a drug; what makes it particularly addictive is its adaptive nature. Virtual environments and gaming have become a major part of the sector too. Many people have begun to anticipate that the biggest challenge around the impacts of social media is the change experienced with diverse persons. It spurs disinformation, misinformation and malformation if not used responsibly. Social media is a valuable asset in content creation. It is important to note that good news may take more time to bear fruit as opposed to bad news which spreads faster. When you put intentional efforts into social media content generation, you will manage to reach more people. Through this, you will be able to track your performance and know the specific guides to refer to in order to spread meaningful content to a diverse multitude of people.
As we become more social in this interconnected world, organizations or enterprises need to be deliberate in data protection. Cyber security is thus an attempt for users to keep their personal information confidential and intact from being hacked by internet fraudsters.The biggest disadvantage of social media is ignorance. It is key to introspect before posting any content online because one may end up misinforming or malforming their audience especially on issues around paid partnerships with different brands. Bad information hence spreads quickly as compared to authentic ones. Individuals need to exercise patience when it comes to content creation because social media plays a key role in generating self-income and accelerating livelihoods of the involved parties. Diverse individuals showcase their talents through this platform and foster expansion reach as well.
It is important to develop a coherent identity within social media. Does having a wide network of contacts lead to more interactions? Digital interactions fade quickly as compared to face-to-face interactions. There is more connection between real and physical as compared to offline and online engagements. There is a big difference in how millennials and Gen-Z interact due to the advent of social media. There are indeed risks as a result of expanding social networks because the younger generation clearly claims that social media aids in enabling them to express themselves creatively and there also arises risks in accessing inappropriate content. Platforms such as TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and snapchat can be life savers for teens who mostly feel marginalized, particularly the LGBTQ+ community.Social media also plays a crucial role in edu-tainment, knowledge and depository. Social media gives people a voice but they are not necessarily innocuous. In the digital era, any decision to implement programs using social media brings risks and protection concerns that need to be weighed against the benefits. It can be used to check through staff personal profiles. When choosing a platform used by people of concern, often go for one that fits your budget, is easy to use, offers appropriate privacy and is scalable so that you can build capacity overtime.
Positive feedback from your audience needs to be appreciated because this means you are making an impact on someone’s life. As users, experts, and content writers, always spare some time to thank those who engage with your posts. Use clear language and be specific because the community wants to be heard and engaged further. On the other hand, negative feedback needs to also be taken into account because these criticisms enable us to visualize the bigger picture and improve our work to meet the needs of the people. Freedom is not absolute; it is limited. People are faced with challenges on, “what am I allowed to do on social media?” and “why am I not allowed to express myself as I wish?”. The internet never forgets; in this case, social media is a great platform for individuals to voice their opinions and beliefs and share information widely with care and responsibility. Every person has a right to freedom of expression, but this should not mean one spreading false or inaccurate information.
Through understanding social media’s unique characteristics, one can better evaluate the implications of these media’s potential to the public good by influencing users' interaction at any time from any place which can be transferred through different forms. This calls for focused media policy debates; a framework focused on equitable distribution of access to media and the ability to use it effectively. 20th Century philosophers John Rawls and Amartya Sen's analogy contributes to a utilitarian approach of justice governing media policy hence this approach provides a clear path on what social media offers. This would certainly require distribution of means of communication by ensuring access to social media inclusive of the minority groups in the contemporary world.
We should therefore exercise responsible digital citizenry by doing a background check on the information being shared from one person to another. Furthermore, users of social media should be intentional in advancing narratives that are in line with humanity without disconnecting from factual information and share what is real instead of spreading unnecessary rumors. It is critical because responsibility begins with oneself and false information can demystify true ideologies and impact negatively in regards to societal norms.
