The current social media has become one of the most formidable forces in our world today. Others feel that it constructs lives, careers, relationship and opportunities. It is strongly believed by others to destroy peace, confidence and even thinking style of people.
To me, both opinions are true. Social media is capable of creating and destroying. The important thing is how we utilize it, how we manage it and how we permit it to penetrate our minds. Having spent such a long time pondering so much over this subject, I have learned of its effects too personally.
Connection is one of the major ways that social media is constructed. Previously, it was not an easy task to connect with individuals in a foreign country or even in a new city. However, nowadays, you can speak to anyone with a single message or a single post. I have encountered such people who have influenced me positively, corrected and even pushed me to continue pushing.
It is possible that a single quote I read on the Internet can alter my entire day mood. The social media has also opened doors to me- opportunities in form of grants, business ideas, information that can help me, and even a community whose members have the same objectives like I do. On these grounds, I could confidently claim that social media has developed me.
The other manner which social media is established is through the voice provided to people. Previously, you had to be allowed by a large organization or site to reveal your talent. Now, though, with a mere phone, you can write, sing, dance, teach, preach or even conduct business.
Online support was offered to many people who were unable to find support in real life. Personally, I have learned much on YouTube, Facebook, Tik Tok, even a posting on X that is short. I even spend hours at times learning by people who have gone through it. It is possible that without social media, I would have never come across those lessons.
However, as much as social media constructs, it also destroys in subtle and even painful ways. One big issue is comparison. With the social media, people can easily compare their lives with others. The majority of individuals share only the most successful things they do, their trips, their affluence, their beauty. Looking at it a bit too much can lead to the situation when you start feeling that your own life is not good enough.
I have felt it before. I could also find myself at times when I opened my phone and before I knew it I was wondering how I was faring, just because someone had shared something that made their life look so good. Social media may easily give you the illusion that people are only presenting you with what they want to see.
Addiction is also another harmful aspect of social media. Hours and hours waste on scrolling, which I have done at some point. You desire to see one video but you watch ten. You would like to respond to one message, yet you spend two hours on the Internet. This wastes time, decreases productivity and even sleep. Unless an individual regulates the amount of time that they spend on the internet, social media is capable of ruining their concentration and discipline silently.
Negativity is also the problem. The social media provides room to cyberbully, insults, fake news, scams, and unhealthy arguments. Others post hateful messages on posts with no intention. There are lies that are harmful to reputation.
Others defraud other people through social media. Unless you are a strong person, emotionally, these things may have an impact on your peace. I have witnessed the case when a single negative comment is able to ruin the entire day of the person.
Social media has made me or killed me? Well, it has both, but the building is not weaker as I learned to manage the destructive elements. The social media has provided me with knowledge, connection, exposure, and opportunities.
But it has attempted to influence my self-confidence and time. Before years, I have become aware that it is in my hands. When I apply discipline, wisdom and purpose to the use of social media I will find it useful to grow. But when I permit it to make me its use, then it is an issue.
Finally, social media can be compared to a knife, it may slice fruits or it may slice fingers. It depends on how you hold it. It has, in my case, made me what I am in a lot of ways, and it has made me learn to be cautious and deliberate.
Balance is the most significant aspect. Apply it, but do not allow it to dominate you. Use it and do not put yourself by comparison with others. Take it in pleasure, guard thy peace. By so doing, the social media can be a blessing, and not a burden.
