Gaby Schank

Prof Goffman
ENG 101
The Effects of Social Media
In a society dominated by the internet, is social media advantageous, or just a distraction
in our lives? Social media is something that affects all of our lives and it is important to explore
all that it does.
Let us first examine what social media means. If we break it down: the word social
refers to people, while media refers to the internet. Google defines social media as websites
and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social
networking.
One well-known positive aspect of social media is keeping people connected. This lets
people to share photos, videos, and their thoughts with their friends and family, which is an
effective way to stay close or catch up with people in your life. Social media can also lead to new
friendships. One could communicate with those with similar interests, sparking new
relationships; this could be especially favorable to those who have social anxiety. I actually met
one of my closest friends because she noticed that, like her, I was an artist, resulting in her
messaging me.
Creativity is another one of these positive effects. Because social media grants sharing
and expressing worldwide, we get to expose and indulge in creativity, producing inspiration.
With this, we create more writing, music, art, and more. This can be extremely beneficial to
ones career and personal life. For example, one may use SoundCloud, a music sharing app, to
gain inspiration and to post one's own music. This could cause them to gain popularity and

helpful criticism, compelling them to flourish as a musician. Another good example, Etsy, is a
site that allows people to sell things they have created. Social media is a huge spark of creativity
in many of its users.
The accessibility of this communication enables people receive help when they need it.
Information about missing persons can be shared instantaneously through sites like Facebook
and Twitter. One could raise money for necessities, like surgeries, using GoFundMe. It can also
aid someone in gaining social or political support. A presidential candidate could use social
media to help spread their ideas and gain supporters, or someone may share and receive
signatures on a petition. In this sense, social media is a great tool for creating change, in ones
life and in our community.
Social media contains a massive amount of information. This information is beneficial to
everyone, because it is accessible. If you have a question, or need advice, it is extremely easy to
get an answer through social media. It is an efficient way spread local or national news. Because
information is so much easier to access, our society is becoming more and more educated.
When used inadequately, social media may also cause many problems in peoples lives.
For one, it can be a major distraction. One could lose focus in school, work, or even
relationships. Or, if someone were to use social media while driving, it could lead to a possibly
fatal accident. In addition to being distracting, social media can cause other issues in your
personal and work life. Posting inappropriate, disrespectful, or gossip-like things online could
produce disputes with friends and family, and, if seen by an employer, result in losing a job.
Social media is prominent in our everyday lives, so it is crucial to utilize it properly.
Understanding how it can negatively affect you will stop those problems from arising. Thinking
before posting, and knowing when it is an appropriate time to use social media are two ways to

prevent problems. Alternatively, knowing its positives will allow you to exploit and prosper from
them. You can gain knowledge, creativity, help, change, and so much more. Whether social
media is an advantage or a distraction is up to you, as a user, you have the power!