People in the olden days used to communicate by sending Telegram and letters. With the introduction of telephone by Alexander Graham Bell and the subsequent introduction of cordless and cell phone it became way lot easier to communicate but who would have thought that the way people interact will come this far. The world we now live in has become so inform and advance. With the introduction of social Media and the internet, (BAAM) it has revolutionised the way we interact. The use of Social Media has both Negative and positive impact in our day to day life. Apparently social media platform is used more in a negative way. Let’s try to understand briefly about the positive and negative attributes about the use of social media.Social Media can increase collaboration and help rapport building. We can use social media as a way to get students and youths to participate. People who are naturally shy and introvert may find it challenging to speak up in a classroom and in social platform but that may not be the case on social media. Today’s Generation grew up on social media, and for many, it is a natural way to interact. We can ask questions, share video, Feeds,advertisement on social media such as Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, etc. This not only allows people to find the answers but also allows others to see the content and what others are answering and creates a dialog. Social Media sites can be helpful to increase the ability to convene meeting and can hold meetings in real time and work on their projects. This enhances the likelihood that they will also spend time together working on projects and may not have to make time to meet in person all the time as the project progresses. Without Social Media it wouldn’t be easy for us to communicate with each other with a press of a button! Using something like Skype and Whatsapp video call brings people closer when they can’t always physically see each other. Texting someone through Face book or any other texting platform allows us to be in contact with anyone anywhere in the world, at any point in time. We can always reach somebody no matter how far they are away from us. It can open doors to opportunities which we never thought of before, and even solve problems that seem impossible.
But quite the contrary, social media can have an adverse effect in our life if we do not use it in proper way. The introduction of Internet and social Media has brought us together but simultaneously pushed further by tearing us apart in way of face to face communication making such relations under-valued. Here are two main reasons that the Internet does not bring people closer together. First, it eliminates face to face interactions. Second, it dehumanizes communication. Most of youngsters love being on social media sites and forget about all things that should come first for them like studying,family, sports and doing class projects and assignments. Most people prefer searching on the Internet for places to eat or shop, they eliminate conversations that used to be held between friends and family. Then, when there are conversations in virtual world, because of the lack of face time, there is so little substance that no lasting connection is made. Specially this generation you always see a bunch of friends or groups hanging out together when each of them is caught up in their digital devices, they constantly want to check what everyone’s tweeting, Sharing video on Whatsapp, notification on Facebook messenger, instead of talking to the friends they sit with, or holding conversation and engaging with each other! It’s even sadder when you find some of them actually cannot go a day without using their phones, playing online games like PUB-G, laptops, or tablets, forgetting how to enjoy their lives in the way it should be. Many people that would rather stay at home and talk to strangers online or play computer games rather than socialise with family, spend time with kids, play games, fish, camp or anything else. Most of the youth and office goers have social media accounts. Unfortunately, many have developed the habit of checking their accounts for umpteen times during the day, even when they are at work. Time spent on personal accounts is time that is not spent on work tasks. It is also time not spent interacting with colleagues and developing quality work relationships. Social media can also help spread fake news and untrue information. Since social media is the quickest and fastest means of communication in contemporary world whatever news that is feed in social media can be heard or read worldwide within no time. Most people wouldn’t hesitate in uploading pictures or sharingvideo on Whatsapp or Facebook even without validating the authenticity of the source. This may result in spreading false information and speculation on the general public and formed wrong public opinion. Many online users are also involved in cyber bullying by flexing the muscles on line. “Keyboard warrior” seems to be best fitted word for such virtual Heroes. Typical types of bullying include aggressive and unpleasant emails, private messages and public comments, threats, intimidation, putting unflattering or manipulated photos of the bullying target online etc. There could be end number of negative impact social media has on us. Therefore,it is imperative that we make use of social networking in good way lest we become a victim.Proper Parental Guidance and counselling by an expert can help save your child against social media onslaught.
Apem Hongvah
Proprietor
Active learners Academy
