Introduction
People's interactions with each other have been forever altered by the rise of social media. Email, which was invented in 1975 and is still in use today, was the forerunner to today's social networking (Email). The use of profiles to provide information about a user and his or her interests has advanced in social networking, as has the integration of email. In today's social networking, it's not just about exchanging contacts' contact information; it's also about exchanging media like photos, videos, and messages. MySpace and Friendster, the first of this new breed of social networking sites, came on the scene in 2003, and have since grown in popularity. Facebook was launched in 2004, but it wasn't made available to the general public until 2006, when it became the most popular social networking site. With these networks, you can stay in touch with old friends, meet new people and gain educational benefits. You can also access the network from your phone or tablet. Identity theft, cyber bullying, a lack of face-to-face social interaction, and social isolation are some of the negative effects. The rise of mobile social networking may lead to health issues in the future.
Social media can have a positive impact on people.
In addition to keeping in touch with old friends, people can meet new ones through social networking sites. Using these sites, people can connect with others who share their interests and form friendships. There are many ways to connect with others who share your interests and values. Using tools like blogging and messaging, social networking allows for the expression of ideas and stories (Are social networking sites good for our society, 2009). Among the other things that people post are poems, interests in music, TV shows, hobbies, photos, and a variety of other topics (Jasson). There is no need to mail invitations for events, and friends can RSVP for an event on the website instead.
Aside from socialising, it is also used for educational purposes. A person's quality of life is said to improve as a result of social networking, as well as reduce the risk of illness. The majority of people say they have had no negative experiences with social networking, and schools are beginning to see it as a useful educational resource (Thelwell, 2006). Students' ability to use technology and learn about a wide range of viewpoints is enhanced thanks to the widespread adoption of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. It has also improved my ability to communicate with people from all over the world, allowing me to learn about different cultures. Social networking is also used by students to discuss homework topics with their peers online and to seek assistance with assignments (Reid, 2009). Sixty-five percent of students who use social media say they talk about school, and fifty percent of those students specifically mention homework. Traditional and 21st-century skills like communication, creativity and collaboration as well as leadership and technology proficiency appear to be possessed by these students. Parents expect schools to use online social networking to educate their children, but in a safe manner. For the benefit of their students, some public schools have developed a safe social media network through which they can communicate with one another (National School Board Association, 2007).
Businesses, as well as individuals, can benefit from social networking. Businesses can use these platforms to advertise and promote their products and services to a wide audience, and creating an account is free of charge (Gillin). As a low-cost method of advertising, many businesses have set up profiles that include extensive information about their company (Roberts, 2008). Since the business profile is accessible to all social network users, businesses will receive more attention. Businesses also use social networks to learn about potential employees and make hiring decisions based on the information available on their profiles (Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe, 2007).
Even though social networking has already had a profound impact on the way people communicate, it is advancing rapidly to make it more accessible to a wider range of people. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter can now be accessed on the go using a mobile phone. A lot of people carry their cell phones with them at all times, which makes this a great idea for increasing the use of social networking. Mobile phones allow users to post status updates, comments, photos, and other content to their profiles from virtually anywhere (Kharif, 2006). In this way, people are able to accomplish their tasks and still find time to check their social media accounts. Mobile access to social networks like Facebook and Twitter should lead to a significant increase in the number of people who use them (Gillin). It has been found that smartphones and tablets are being used more frequently for social networking than personal computers (PCs). Facebook, MySpace, and Bebo are the most frequently visited sites on mobile phones. Making social networks accessible through mobile devices unlocks their full potential and makes them easier for people to use. Due to its ease of use and growing popularity, mobile social networking has seen a significant rise in its user base (Hamblen, 2008).
Social media's Negative Effects
The downsides of social networking are negligible compared to the many benefits of using it. As a result of this shift away from face-to-face interaction and toward online interactions, many people believe that they have a lower quality of life as a result (Mikami, Szwedo, Allen, Evans, & Hare, 2010). Deleted information isn't enough for teenagers who want to get a job in the future because they've shared too much information with the public. Cyberbullying, in which people are publicly bullied while doing so online, does occur, but it is rare. People who spend a lot of time on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are more likely to become socially isolated, which can lead to mental health problems like depression and a lack of social skills (Mikami, Szwedo, Allen, Evans, & Hare, 2010). Social networking site users' false sense of security makes them vulnerable to security attacks like hacking, data leakage, and virus transmission. A cybercriminal can steal someone's identity if they use the network to gather personal information that has been posted about them (University of the Pacific). It has also been argued that social networking sites put children in danger by making it easier for paedophiles to locate potential victims. In addition, the fact that these sites are becoming mobile may encourage people to access them while driving, similar to how text messaging was once popular while driving.
As social networking moves to mobile devices, people will be more likely to use their phones, which has the unfortunate side effect of exposing their brains and bodies to harmful levels of electromagnetic radiation. The brain's memory and learning centres are damaged as a result of this absorption, which can lead to a loss of concentration and forgetfulness (Thomas, 2004). It has also been reported that electromagnetic radiation from cell phones can cause cancer in other parts of the body, but this has received little attention. As far as health concerns go, cell phones have been the most prominent, but social networking via mobile phone doesn't expose the brain to waves. Furthermore, the radiation emitted by cell phones is so low that it would take a significant amount of exposure over an extended period of time before it was enough to cause cancer. To determine the true health risk of cell phones, more research is needed.
Social networking has its benefits and drawbacks, just like any other form of communication. The websites are constantly improving and changing to fix any issues they may have. One example would be the use of mobile phones to access social networking sites, allowing users to do so while on the go rather than being confined to their desks at home. Very few people have reported being the target of cyberbullying, despite widespread belief that this is a problem. Positive effects outweigh the negative ones in the short term, but there are still issues to be addressed. Meeting new people and keeping in touch with old ones are two of the many benefits of social networking. By allowing people to stay in touch and communicate with one another in an easy and convenient manner, social networking has a positive impact on the world.
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