We
all use social media in some way or another. In today’s world there are so many
different social media platforms available to us at the click of a button. This
includes anything from YouTube to blogging. There are six main groups that
these different platforms seem to fit into: blogging, collaboration,
image-sharing, micro-blogging, networking, and video-sharing. This infographic
shows some examples of social media platforms and where they fit within these
six categories.
Platforms
allow users to communicate with others and share content. It is a huge benefit
that we, as social media users, take advantage of. This really is a phenomenal
tool right at our fingertips. Along
with all the benefits of social media, however, there are some disadvantages. This article states a variety of concerns that social media platforms create.
One
concern it discussed was negative health consequences. According to a study
done in 2010 by the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, extensive social
media use correlated with unhealthy behavior. This unhealthy behavior was
categorized as drinking, smoking, and sexual activity.
Another
concern was isolation. Although these social media platforms are to bring
people together, it actually can create mental, psychological, emotional, and
physical problems regarding isolation. This is because users are experiencing a
decreasing amount of time in face-to-face communication and more time using
these platforms to communicate with peers.
The
article also touched on some concerns that have yet to be studied. These
include decreasing productivity, encouraging poor grammar and spelling,
privacy, and cyber bullying. We don’t understand all of the negative
consequences of social media use, but we also don’t understand all of the
positive consequences either.
All
of these social media platforms listed above can be used in a positive or
negative way. It’s important to understand the way we can use all of these
different platforms for our benefit. As the old saying goes, too much of
anything is too much. We need to be careful of how extensively we use these platforms,
but remember that they can be used to our advantage as well.
That's an interesting point about social media creating isolation instead of bringing people and interests together. I think I go through phases, on different platforms, where I don't actively participate, but I still engage in viewing the website itself.
ReplyDeleteI really like the picture you used. Great color and vibrance.
ReplyDeleteseriously, Braden, you commented on the color and vibrance of the picture?
DeleteIt's a great graphic!
DeleteReally interesting point about the health problems that may come along with social media use. I definitely think that could be a possibility, especially since people who tend to use social media heavily are people who want to make their lives seem so much better than they really are. Good post!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to hear about the other side of platforms (health affects).
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others! I never really thought about the negative health affects of social media platforms. I do think it is a good way to network across long distances, but the value of face-to-face networking is a whole different story!
ReplyDelete