When I think of social
media, I can think of several things immediately, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn,
Twitter, Pinterest and Tumblr. These social networks are now the center of
many people’s lives. Social media has taken the world in a direction previously
not thought of. Though the social networks have provided society with a place
to communicate, find lost loved ones, share photos, gather ideas and meet new
people, there are also some negative connotations associated with them.
Social Media is iconic. Looking back onto this time in
countries all over the world, it would be impossible not to recognize the
importance and the role that social media has been in all of our lives.
Facebook is the most iconic of all of the forms of social media. Its creator is
an icon as well; he is one of the youngest richest men in the world, and he
also changed the shape of our lives. Social media has played such an important
role in our lives, that a top selling movie was based on the creation of
Facebook. Social media is a global phenomenon.
Social media is said to have a negative impact on our
society, in some opinions. There have been several articles and reports of the
negative effects of these websites. Marriages are being broken apart, affairs
encouraged by the easy accessibility of those we once loved, and those that are
seeking love. Depression looms amongst those that see the lives of others
everyday in these social media arenas. They see the lives they wish they had,
or may have missed out on. Social media encourages bullying. It is much easier
to share someone’s private information when it can easily be broadcast to
hundreds. People are brazen and have a false sense of security; words are
easily said without having to face those that you are speaking about. With social
media we have found an entire new way to alter our lives as well as the lives
of those around us. Are these things myth? They certainly can be real for many,
though many may not fall prey and may not recognize these things. Does this
make it a myth to those individuals?
Social media is so important to our world now that many
feel that they could never live without it. Social media and its creators have
certainly created a personal outlet for many that will become legendary in
coming years. As technology continues to advance I am sure these social media
outlets will be outdone and enhanced time and time again. What are important
are the creation and the social media movement in our lives, but also to be
aware of what these things can bring to our lives. There is happiness derived
from re-connections and new connections; but if the information regarding
relativity to divorce and depression are true we should all be wary of how we
are interacting in these electronic social venues.
Allee, I might be showing my age a bit, but when I was a kid, the social network at the time was Citizen's Band (CB) radio. I remember that people stayed up late chatting with groups of people. There were conventions and get-togethers to bring the CB'ers together. By the time I was a teenager, the CB radio had fallen to the side and it wasn't really until MySpace and Facebook popped onto the scene that groups of people are communicating with friends and family so frequently. I remember CB'ing being an obsession with a lot of people...very similar to Facebook. Interestingly, I bet the same problems occurred with the CB radio as well. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteBetty,
DeleteI always enjoy reading your posts on the blogs or bulletin board. I have heard of the CB radio before but did not know what this was. I am very interested in learning more about the Citizen's Band radio. I personally think the largest problem with social networking is the desire to live a different life. I believe you see what others are doing which in some circumstances creates envy, but I also think it provides a bridge between fidelity and infidelity. I have heard from so many the role that Facebook has played in the demise of their relationship. I just encouraged my newly engaged sister to delete her Facebook. When you are unhappy or least expecting it the attention from another individual can reek havoc on your relationships. Thanks for providing this example of what social media meant to you in the past. I am so excited to learn more about it!