Analyzing the Impact of Social Media Networks

on todays Society
 Abstract:
Social media has grown tremendously over the years and has brought with it a lot of
advantages for society. However, the unexpected high growth rate of social media has also
brought with it some negative impacts to society. This article attempts to examine social media
and its characteristics that contributes to the growth and popularity of most social media sites.
Finally, we explore the positive and negative impacts social networking has had on our society.

Introduction:
Social media is defined as a collection of websites and applications dedicated to social
networking, social interaction, content- sharing and collaboration. Examples of social media
ranges from social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, to messaging and
video calling applications like WhatsApp, Skype, Snapchat. Social networking changed the way
people share knowledge and communicate with each other. One important factor that contributed
to the rapid growth of social networking in a short period of time is its focus on user friendliness
and content. These media platforms such as Instagram enables users to generate and annotate
content also empowering them to share information with friends from all around the world. Pew
Research studies show that about two thirds of the world's population participate in some sort of
social networking which also accounts for approximately 10 percent of all time spent on the
Internet. The number of social media users have also double since 2007.

Characteristics of Social media sites

Facebook and LinkedIn has become the two most popular web destinations today due to
their ability to connect users with friends, relatives and acquaintances across the world. A 2007
research study conducted by researchers from Rice University, the University of Maryland, and
Max Planck Institute for Software Systems analyzed what characteristics of very large online
social networks made them so successful. The research found 5 major characteristics that
differentiate social media sites from regular websites and also contribute to the success of social
media sites today
User-based: Social media sites are usually very user friendly and are personalized to the needs
of the user. Regular websites are based on content updated by a single user and viewed by
internet visitors. This restricts the flow of information in a single direction determined solely by
the writer However, social media sites are built and directed by the users themselves. The users
populate the social media network and determine the direction in which information. This is
what contributes in making social exciting and dynamic.
Interactive: Social media sites have also become more interactive over the years. Websites like
Facebook are filled with network based applications where you can challenge friends anywhere
in the world in a game of poker, share pictures and videos from anywhere in the world and
recently a new updated feature to send money digitally to anyone in the world. These interactive
features have quickly made social media site a favorable pass time for both teenagers and adults.
Community Driven: Social media sites are built and thrive on community concepts which
means they help connect us with friends who share similar beliefs or hobbies as we do thereby
forming communities of like-minded individuals Fraternity members from other Universities
across the nation creating a Facebook page or high school alumni twitter page.
Relationships: Social media sites thrive on relationships. Users have the ability to establish new
relationships with others. Social networking sites such as eHarmony and Tinder play a major role
in both establishing new romantic relationships in todays society. A Study conducted by the
Pew Research Center found that 5 percent of Americans who are currently married or in a long-
term relationship met their partner somewhere online.
Emotion over Content: Another unique characteristic of social media networking sites is the
emotional factor. Unlike other websites that focuses primarily on relaying content to a visitor,
Social media sites on the other hand provide users with emotional security that no matter what
happens, their friends are always within reach to get them through situations such as a break-up
or divorce.

Positive Impacts of Social Media:

The tremendously high growth rate of social media has brought with it several positive
impacts on our society today. These Positive impacts can be summarized into three sub
categories which are:
Connectivity: One of the major advantages of social media is its ability to connect us with anyone
from around the world. The growth of social media has made it easy to make friends online also
allowing users to interact with strangers who share similar interests and beliefs.
Business and Advertising: Social Media plays a vital role in all aspects of business today. It has
helped improve communication and dialogues among organizations, communities and individuals.
Businesses have also become more profitable by taking advantage of the advertising potential of
social media to communicate with people globally. Positive comments and reviews left by
customers on a company social media page helps to improve a business reputation.
Education and Awareness: Social media and social networking sites has also made it extremely
easy to educate ourselves on any subject from professionals anywhere around the world. Thanks to
the news feeds provided by social media sites, users are able to obtain updates on what is
happening in the world around them thereby creating societal awareness. Every individual in our
society today can benefit from the educational and informative factor of social media.

Negative Impacts of Social Media:

Most people tend to overlook the negative effects of social media until they are faced with it
personally or fall victim to it. Three of the major disadvantages associated with using social
media sites include:
Teenage Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying refers to internet bullying. It involves using technology
to bully or harass another person. Cyberbullying affects many adults and teens on a daily basis
and can take many forms which includes: Spreading rumors online or through texts, sending
mean messages, pretending to be someone else online to hurt another person, Sexting or
circulating sexually suggestive pictures or messages about a person. Teenage cyberbullying is a
major issue associated with social media and has led to several teenage suicides.
According to an alarming report published by Cyberbullying Research Center, one in three
young people have experienced some form of online cyberbullying.
Addiction Problem: Social networking can also be very addictive. Studies shows that social
media users aged between 15 and 19 spend on average 3 hours per day using the three of the
most popular social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and 18 percent of social
media users cant go a few hours without checking Facebook.
Privacy Issues: The issue of privacy is a rising concern associated with social networking sites.
Most social media users put private information such as their home address, cellphone number
on their social media page. Users private information could be retrieved by hackers thereby
compromising the safety of the individual. This is a major disadvantage of social media and
every user is advised to properly secure their personal data and account.

Conclusion:
In Conclusion, analyzing the impacts social media has on our society today explains why
it has become part of who we are. It has helped businesses expand their advertising globally,
contributed in educating us on world events and keeping us updated and connected. More
attention is being given to the negative impacts social media also has society one of the most
dangerous being leaving our private information vulnerable to hackers. Although the overall
advantages of social media outweigh its disadvantages, we as a society need to implement
solutions to deal with the negative impacts of social networking.
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Humphreys, Lee, and Rowan Wilken. "Social Media, Small Businesses, and the Control
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Ryan Dube, Characteristics of Social media, September 10, 2015

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Bilal Ahmad, 10 Advantages and disadvantages of social media for society, March 10,
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Pew Research Center, Social Media Fact Sheet January 12, 2017, pewinternet.org
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