Social Media

Project description

This week I explore social media, its impact on society, and my perception on the subject.

Social Media Addiction Survey

I participated in a social media addiction survey by Time to Log Off and my results showed that I am not 100% addicted yet, however I need to re-evaluate my time spent on my social media accounts. Recently, I managed to cut out two social media accounts and they were my Facebook and Instagram account. I am on the way to reducing my social media footprint but I have a long way to go since I still use Reddit and YouTube quite frequently.

Interesting Social Media Statistic

One of the most interesting statistics from the Pew Research Article is that since 2019, social media platforms, apart from Reddit and YouTube, have had very little growth (Auxier & Anderson, 2021). I chose this statistic because it baffles me how the population continues to increase but the presence of the other platforms have been stagnant. This relates to me as I use Reddit and YouTube quite a bit due to the abundance of customized content they deliver. It does not surprise me that Reddit and YouTube are at the top among the platforms.

Social Media’s Impact on Society

I believe that social media is impacting society in a negative way. Social media allows news to be spread quite quickly however, because individuals often do not follow up on the news, misinformation is a complication that can occur. Another negative aspect of social media is its effect on mental health. Social media can be devastating to those struggling with body image or mental health and can lead those easily influenced to do things that can self-harm. Auxier (2020) makes a note of how anonymity is a factor in spreading misinformation and the negative impact on mental health. I have seen individuals make a number of social media accounts impersonating a character to support their ideas and values, which can skew one’s perception on the subject. Social media can be a great form of entertainment but users need to be aware of its negative impact on mental health and have the diligence to follow up on spreading news.

Lessons Learned

During this module I learned that I was still somewhat addicted to social media despite removing two platforms from my phone. Another lesson I learned is that I have two of the most popular social media platforms and they are the ones I use the most on my phone. I also learned that Reddit and YouTube, the two most popular platforms, have gained the most growth compared to others.

Citations

Auxier, B. (2020, October 15). 64% of Americans say social media have a mostly negative effect on the way things are going in the U.S. today. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/10/15/64-of-americans-say-social-media-have-a-mostly-negative-effect-on-the-way-things-are-going-in-the-u-s-today/

Auxier, B., & Anderson, M. (2021, April 7). Social Media Use in 2021. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/04/07/social-media-use-in-2021/

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