The Dangers Of Social Medias Impact On Americans
Social media has become an inseparable part of most Americans lives, in the last decade. In many ways social media has revolutionized the way people communicate and has bridged the gap with people from all over the world. However, like any new technology, social media has downsides. One of the biggest concerns about social media is the harm it can cause to individuals and society at large, because of many intentionally designed algorithms.
One of the greatest harms that social media can cause to its users, is its impact on the average user’s mental health. Social media platforms can create unrealistic expectations and a constant sense of comparison with others, who “appear” to be living a fantasy life but, is mostly not the case. People often present idealized versions of their lives when posting on social media, which can make people feel inadequate or insecure. Additionally, online cyberbullying and sexual assaults’, threats on Social Media platforms are becoming increasingly common and more well-known to its users. The anonymity that Social Media offers can make people feel more comfortable saying things they would never say in person, leading to harmful and hurtful messages especially for many of its younger users and audiences.
A Look Into The Future For Social Media Users
Recent research and studies have shown that prolonged use of social media can lead to physical symptoms such as eye strain, headaches and neck pain. The blue light emitted from screens can also disrupt sleep patterns, causing fatigue and decrease productivity for many users.
Another concern is the influence of social media on social and political discourse and even geopolitical events. In addition, social media has become a breeding ground for fake news and misinformation that can have real consequences.
Social Media use can also negatively impact productivity and work-life balance, for users of any age. The constant need to check Social Media feeds can be distracting and lead to decreased productivity, as a direct result. It’s no secret that using social media for prolonged times, can leave one feeling “lost or left out” in the everyday life normal people live.
Finally, social media can have significant privacy and security concerns, due to hacks, data breaches and the nature of selling one’s information for profits which is what many platforms are built for exclusively. Most Social Media platforms often collect large amounts of personal data that can be used for targeted advertising or even sold to third parties, for profit to maintain the enormous cost of operating a Social Media platform.
In short, while social media has its benefits, it is important to be aware of the potential harm it can cause by overuse.