Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword
Dr. Upasana Sarma
In today’s modern life where social media has been a part and parcel of today's
society, it has transformed in its own ways both good and bad. It has completely
changed the nature of interaction, relationships and the way information is
acquired. With the development of social media networks, people from different
regions and cultures now can communicate and experience things that they would
otherwise have to travel to accomplish in person. Such worldwide integration has
made the world more connected and enhanced the level of tolerance among people.
Another role of social media is to facilitate dissemination of information. The
news, current topics, and educational materials could be passed around almost
instantly so as to keep individuals appeased with reality and happenings around
them. But this kind of swiftness with which information is spread has also
contributed to the spreading of confusion and misinformation, which may pose a
grave threat to the individual and wider society. In this context, social media
has created a really unique platform for social communities. Online communities
born from common interests, hobbies, and ideologies have thrived on these very
platforms, creating a feeling of belonging and support for individuals who feel
alienated or marginalized. On the contrary, they may cause social media
overusers to feel lonely and apart from others as these individuals constantly
compare their existence with others who appear to be living an amplified version
of a life in their very curated life online. Undoubtedly, today social media is
the single most powerful thing possessing tremendous economic leverage. It has
entirely transformed marketing and advertising, allowing complete domination by
the businesses over the marketplace and revenue generation. It has also opened
up job opportunities for social media influencers, content creators, and digital
marketers. However, with the advent of social media, concerns about privacy and
data security arose, putting personal information divulged online at the risk of
malicious exploitation. Correspondingly, social media has emerged as a crucial
platform for social and political activism. It has helped the public mobilise,
raise awareness, and support whatever causes they are passionate about. However,
the media provides a social arena that allows abuse through cyberbullying, whose
goals may have been addressed, causing injury and emotional suffering for the
alleged victim. In order to benefit from the rewards of social media while
reducing its hazards, it is crucial to maintain equilibrium. Fixing screen time
hours, choosing our content intelligently, and participating in a variety of
activities throughout the world, would embrace digital connectivity while still
enjoying life. Social Media and Students: Social media presents a double-edged
sword for students. While it may prove a valuable aid for academic and personal
development, its utility is thoroughly dependent on its responsible use. Social
media offer students several benefits. For example, these include peer-to-peer
learning, cooperation with group projects, and sharing of academic knowledge.
Also, it provides skill development, helping students develop critical thinking,
communication skills, and digital literacy. Finally, effective use of digital
social media can improve students' employability by establishing an online
presence through active networking with professionals, exploration of career
paths, and familiarization with students' fields. However, students need to
embrace responsible usage of social media - by ensuring that not only are the
benefits of social media harnessed but also the likely risks are mitigated.
Students can set limits on social media time - designated slots for its use -
setting up a balance between online and offline time. They must also keep at
least a base level of awareness regarding what they post and read. If they do
choose to publish things on social media, students should try to publish things
that are of good quality rather than many things. Protecting privacy should be
of utmost importance; just as other people should protect their private lives
emphatically, they should share their private information on a carefully limited
basis, use stronger passwords, and engage in privacy settings. Also, digital
citizenship - that is, interacting nicely online and avoiding cyberbullying,
hate speech, and online harassment - is essential in cultivating a conducive
online environment. Taking occasional breaks from social media use can recharge
the students, bolster their concentration, or do them good with other chores and
wholesome activities. To summarize, social media is a complex and multifaceted
phenomenon with both positive and negative impacts on individuals and society.
Understanding its advantages and disadvantages will help students to maximize
its potential while minimizing its risks.
Dr. Upasana Sarma
Lecturer (Mechanical)
Assam Engineering Institute, Chandmari,
Ghy-03
Published in AEIAN 43 Edition 2023-24 Page No 70