SPM Essay Sample: The Effects of Social Media
The social media is undoubtedly one of the most powerful influences in our lives. How does excessive use of social media affect us?
The Impact of Social Media
Social media is a big part of our lives today. Before, people mainly got information from TV, radio, and newspapers, but now, social media is the most common way we get information. This makes us wonder how social media affects the way we connect with the world and with each other.
Maintaining Relationships
One good thing about social media is that it lets us stay in touch with our loved ones, no matter where they are. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and others allow us to message, call, and video chat with people, making it easy to keep relationships strong. Also, social media makes it easy to meet people with similar interests or jobs, and make new professional connections through platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. This can give us a sense of community and belonging, especially for people who may feel alone or disconnected from their physical communities.
Online Learning
Another advantage of social media is that it gives us access to a lot of information and resources. We can easily find educational videos, articles, and tutorials on many different subjects, from learning a new language to mastering a new skill. And since we can access this information at any time and from anywhere, we can keep learning and developing new skills, even outside of a traditional classroom setting. Social media can also be useful for networking and professional development opportunities. We can connect with professionals in our field and stay up-to-date with the latest industry developments. This can lead to new job opportunities, collaborations, and professional growth.
Excessive Use of Social Media
However, excessive use of social media can have negative effects. People often get so engrossed in their mobile phones that they don’t pay attention to what’s happening around them. A study showed that Malaysian social media users spend a quarter of their day on average across all social media platforms. That’s why young people, who are the most active social media users, have a hard time developing social and conversational skills.
Impact on mental health
Additionally, social media can negatively impact mental health. Seeing other people’s “highlight reel” of their lives on social media can make us feel inadequate and low self-esteem. The constant bombardment of images, videos, and messages can also be overwhelming, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress. Furthermore, social media can contribute to cyberbullying, which can harm mental health. It’s important to be aware of this and limit social media use for good mental health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, social media plays a big role in our everyday lives but it’s crucial to be aware of its potential harmful effects on both individuals and society. To overcome these negative effects, it is important to be cautious by verifying the authenticity of the information we consume, limiting our usage time, and being mindful of how we use social media.
