Photo by dole777 on Unsplash
Nowadays, whenever we have questions in mind and need tips or guides about literally anything, we always depend on our smartphones for help. This implies that the internet has been a part of our daily lives. So is social media. It has become necessary to everyone. We always use sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. People have made these platforms a daily activity and hubs where to get information and entertainment. If you would ask someone the last time they opened their social media accounts, it would be just seconds ago. Chances are, they even use it as you speak. That is how social media became part of our daily routines. According to a digital report, Filipinos are considered to spend most of their time on the internet and social media. And indeed, social media can be really addictive.
No matter how exciting or entertaining social media is, it has its fair share of negative aspects. Here are the pros and cons of using social media:
Social media can be a form of communication and convenience. It can make us connected with family and friends anytime, anywhere. This is thanks to email, Facebook messenger, and other private messages on other social media platforms. Also, when it comes to convenience, you can make transactions at your fingertips. You can order food or other necessities and pay bills. Moreover, we can get real-time information from different social media platforms. We can easily be updated. On the business side, social media can be an advantage for a company since it can reach a wider audience, plus it’s low cost.
While social media can be advantageous, of course, there are some negative aspects that come with it. The more time you spend on social media, the greater the risk of getting depression, anxiety, and even cyberbullying. Furthermore, given that social media is addicting, it will prevent you from finishing tasks or working on time. For instance, you won’t notice that you are scrolling on your Facebook feeds or TikTok FYPs for minutes or even hours. Consequently, you will get entertained and not finish the task. On the other hand, FOMO or Fear-Of-Missing-Out is a factor that can affect your mental health. FOMO is when you tend to continuously check your phone or social media accounts in fear of missing out on something, such as trends.
Have you thought that you are a heavy user of social media? Be aware and know more about its positive and negative effects with reliable and fast internet!