Essay Sample on Social Media: Revealing Our True Selves? Pros and Cons

Introduction

Social networking and social media play a critical part in life and cannot be ignored. There has been a lot to criticize regarding social media, but a lot can be praised of it too. It may be imperative to acknowledge the flaws of online cultures but still critical to consider the positive aspects of involving oneself with social media. Many would think that social media changes people, but in the real sense, it only reveals them. There are various positive effects associated with social media that include speedy communication, empowerment of parents, source of information, the building of a political portfolio, encouragement of self-confidence, an emergency report tool, a voice for the community, and a great marketing platform.

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Social media has been used as an agent of speedy communication and faster connectivity. There is lesser time due to work and family commitments. However, social networking sites provide the opportunity to communicate fast and effectively far as everyone understands the social media slang (Shabir et al. 133). Social media has provided an effortless way of connecting with the like-minded people. It extends to most locations and regions, and the social networks are assistive in preserving and reviving relationships with others. Many people now connect within their businesses, and with other family members and friends. Many top organizations from small corporations to multinational companies are directly approaching potential candidates via social networking sites like LinkedIn. Various other interactions with people or authority can assist individuals in their careers.

Social media has also empowered parents by offering them with the zeal for open communication with their children. Many children at their development and adolescent stages reach a time when they try to fit in society. Social media platforms have made it easier for them to develop advocacy voices and find their places in society (Best, Roger and Brian 28). There is transparency in such a way that people can see who follows the other and the reactions from multiple posts from friends. The transparency offers them a positive influence when they are exposed to the right outlets, especially for the less social teens. Similarly, for parents, they can follow their children online to allow for open communication on what they are and are not required to do while online. Open communication can let teens develop a healthy emotional intelligence which is important in their later decision-making capabilities. Parents can also encourage their children to engage in positive social platforms that can assist them in identifying and setting their expectations online. They can also let their children understand why they have social media accounts and what they might gain from posting various items.

Social media can teach various job skills to graduates and potential employees. Social media can be easily painted as a villain even though there are many positive lessons that the users can learn. From finding job advertisements, potential candidates can incorporate ideas on what is expected of them in their next jobs (Todd 790). Some companies and information also expose the downfalls of employees from various posts of a company, which can be useful information in letting students and graduates understand the negativities that could lead to their downfall while working. The users can also learn to take criticism from strangers without engaging themselves in arguments, which is a change for them and a valuable lesson before applying for a job. With several lessons, students and graduates can also learn to use social media responsibly to let them be productive in their future jobs. Social media is also a platform that can provide opportunities for showcasing technological savvy and creativity of various individuals. The teens at present live in a revolutionized world that is coupled with small but efficient gadgets such as mobile phones. With internet connectivity such as Wi-Fi, the users can become more impeccable individuals in showing their talents online. Through a constant connection with others and by sharing their life moments, they can attract potential parties and companies that are interested in their skills.

Social media can be used to build one's political portfolio easily. Politicians can use the platform to voice their concerns and thoughts regarding the countries and areas they represent. Many people get political news and other people's views regarding a candidate or a leader through social media (Sandoval and Ramon 365). Activists can use their online influences to publicize information regarding fraudulent and incompetent leaders to society. They may take advantage of social media sites to advertise their blog posts too to make information regarding a political leader more public. Political posts lead to a paradigm shift in the sense that leaders can be understood. The public is also provided with a voice to air their grievances against the hitches in governance.

Social media can let its users learn how to be self-confident through empowering introverts and expressing their ideas. Their self-learned skills through social media can also let them boost their interpersonal skills. Many online social media users do not rely on the platforms for their self-worth as it could be a beginning to their downfall. For individuals who are shy and introverted, their interactions could let them change as they could interact with people from all over the world. The social media sites also let them introduced into different lifestyles and make them gain better ideas regarding life and how they can lead in positivity. Additionally, the ability to strengthen social awareness, empathy and make lifelong friends is a skill gained from social media that is important to the lives of the users.

Social media is important as it can save one in times of emergency. Today, Facebook seeks to confirm one's safety in times of great crises. For instance, a tornado may see many people affected, but social media can lead to more help. Besides confirming one's safety, information can be spread online regarding the potential threat and the affected areas, information that may reach many people online. Finding such information may lead to fewer victims and the informed users may get to safety faster and set more time to prepare for such calamities. Social media is widely spread, and its use can facilitate help-seeking (Simon, Avishay and Bruria, 609). Even though the anonymity of the internet can lead to the worst in people such as entertaining cons, the detachment of the internet can be of benefit in finding assistance. Detachment may prevail through online communication, which lets individuals seek solutions to their problems in a strategy that feels less frightening and could not lead to judgment and real-life crises. For instance, the young seek help in times of distress. Other people with mental health issues have better access to assistive information on social media. The internet is the safest place for them to speak out openly regarding their pain and find well-wishers who can listen and assist them in every way.

Social media can also be used as a platform for a voice of reason in the community. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter can be used to create a voice for the voiceless individuals. For instance, some groups advocate for the harms caused by drugs or drinking while driving. Other claims that disability is not inability through the platform, which makes the society more aware of how they should respond. Most of the campaigns are started by young individuals who see the importance of treating each person equally while social media remains the best platform to make the messages go viral.

Social media can be used as a marketing platform for many businesses. Approximately all platforms including Facebook and Instagram charge users to create advertisements and boost them to reach multiple users. Creating content and marketing the same on the platforms can lead to more acceptability of one's products and attraction of more potential buyers (Tiago, Pinheiro and Jose, 703). Since modern times are not all about broadcasting information in marketing, engaging in conversation with potential clients can be effected on social platforms than other media such as television and radio. Businesses may easily find feedback from clients regarding their products and services and adjust them to suit more clients. Besides marketing, the sites can also be used to establish a brand reputation, and businesses can better create stronger online presences to build on their brands.

Social media has led to speedy communication, empowerment of parents, more information, the building of a political portfolio, encouragement of self-confidence, an emergency report platform, a voice for the community, and a great marketing platform. Besides focusing on the constraints of engaging oneself in social networking, people may focus more on the positive aspects of the various platforms. The notion that social media changes someone is vague and can be replaced with that of social media being an agent of revealing them.

Works Cited

Best, Paul, Roger Manktelow, and Brian Taylor. "Online communication, social media, and adolescent wellbeing: A systematic narrative review." Children and Youth Services Review 41 (2014): 27-36.

Sandoval-Almazan, Rodrigo, and J. Ramon Gil-Garcia. "Towards cyberactivism 2.0? Understanding the use of social media and other information technologies for political activism and social movements." Government Information Quarterly31.3 (2014): 365-378.

Shabir, Ghulam, et al. "The Impact of Social Media on Youth: A Case Study of Bahawalpur City." Asian Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities 3.4 (2014): 132-151.

Simon, Tomer, Avishay Goldberg, and Bruria Adini. "Socializing in emergencies-A review of the use of social media in emergencies." International Journal of Information Management 35.5 (2015): 609-619.

Tiago, Maria Teresa Pinheiro Melo Borges, and Jose Manuel Cristovao Verissimo. "Digital marketing and social media: Why bother?." Business Horizons 57.6 (2014): 703-708.

Todd, Vicki. "Public relations supervisors and Millennial entry-level practitioners rate entry-level job skills and professional characteristics." Public Relations Review 40.5 (2014): 789-797.