Social Media – A Blessing Or A Curse? #SMday

Most households living in the digital era will have access to mobile phones and various types of computer technology used to connect to others on the internet. While the internet has opened up positive and negative possibilities that can sometimes be viewed as a Pandora’s box by some critics, social media has effectively reduced global communication barriers.

There are a lot of positives with the emergence of social media networks

We can now connect with others overseas in an instant sharing our thoughts and ideas to a worldwide audience, to an individual or a select group of people. Writers and bloggers can now share their expertise quickly and easily to a global audience. Social networking has also connected people nationally and globally for particular objectives and social causes that can lead to positive outcomes.

We can not only share our ideas but also share other people’s ideas making advertising on social networks ideal for business marketing. Business advertising has the capability of reaching further than ever before through the many platforms that are available to choose from. Social media advertising allows the sharing of videos, memes and graphic art, images, Infographics and much more. We can purchase goods and services online.

Online education has been made possible. Children living in remote areas can now study from home using Skype which allows for visual face to face communication and contact with other humans outside of their family home in real time.

Entertainment using and sharing movies, live streaming, news available in an instant, watch videos on YouTube, play online games, download and share music and images. The option of free and paid entertainment is at our fingertips.

Negative aspects of social connections via social media

• One of these not so good aspects of social media is that bullying has been extended from the playground to social media by a generation of school children with digital technology at hand. Cyber-bullying is common among children but should not be tolerated as it is as damaging as bullying in the playground or worse. Read aifc’s blog on Cyber-bullying.
• Trolling – people looking to harm others by adding comments, insults and harsh opinions to purposely cause division while abusing others online.
• Cyber-crime can affect the unaware as well as posing huge security risks by ways of Phishing, scamming, skimming credit cards, identity theft and fraud. Social media predators grooming children online. Even the tightest security settings can leak out personal information on social sites. Cyber-crime can lead to huge financial loss, depression, anxiety, stress and emotional pain. Read aifc’s blog, ‘The Emotional Side Of Identity Theft’
• Addiction –Excessive or inappropriate use can be harmful having negative consequences on the reward and emotional systems leading to addiction. Using MRI scans, studies have shown that brain patterns of compulsive Facebook users are similar to those of gambling and drug addicts.
• Living a sedentary life without adequate exercise can be harmful to our health.
• Pre-Interview vetting of potential employees has become standard practice.
• Employees can lose their jobs if they’re not careful of their online behaviour.
• Lost time online as the internet can consume a whole day quite quickly.

While communication is vital to the human race as social beings the take away here is that each individual has to monitor their own use of social media while being mindful of how much time is spent online. Equally as important for adults to keep an eye on how their children use social media, to monitor their social connections and restrict the amount of time they spend socialising and playing games on it daily allowing time for homework, socialising and bonding time with the family and for other areas that are vital to their development like a sporting activity or perhaps taking the time to learn a musical instrument.

“You can’t fulfil your calling in your comfort zone!“ Ps. Steven Furtick
“Friends become wiser together through a healthy clash of viewpoints.” Timothy Keller

Sources

Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media On Society – http://www.techbead.com/positive-and-negative-effects-of-social-media-on-society/
The Emotional Side of Identity Theft – https://www.aifc.com.au/the-emotional-side-of-identity-theft/
Australia Federal Police – cybercrime – http://www.afp.gov.au/policing/cybercrime
The New Daily – This Is What Social Media Is Doing To You By Kemal Atlay – http://thenewdaily.com.au/life/2015/11/17/social-media-harms/’

Where to get help

Seek the help of your family doctor
Seek counselling help for problems faced through social media communication. You don’t have to do it alone. Talk to someone who wants to help you.
Search for a counsellor near you – www.theaca.net.au
Men’s Line Australia – Talk it over with someone who understands – 1300 78 99 78
Lifeline – A free 24 hour Crisis Counselling service – 13 11 14
Kids Help Line – 1800 55 1800
Australia Federal Police – cybercrime