Positive Effects Social Media Can Have on Society

With the advent of fast internet and the proliferation of mobile devices, the use of social media has skyrocketed. It is estimated that the total number of social media users in the world is around 4.74 billion, which is more than half of the world’s population. This gigantic number brings back a question that is as old as social media itself. Is social media good or bad? Now, the negative effects of social media have been discussed at length for many years, but there are also some positive effects social media can have on our society. Some of the most important ones are listed below.

Building relationships

Social media makes it easier for people to find like-minded individuals and form new friendships. It also offers people who have moved to another city or country the chance to maintain their relationships with old friends and distant relatives. With a number of features like sharing photos, sending messages, and hosting video chats, social media offers every kind of person an easy means to keep in touch with their loved ones.

Social media also allows people to make acquaintances with other people living across the globe. This aids in better cross-cultural understanding and fosters a better relationship between people belonging to two different communities. This will motivate the younger generation to be more open and accepting of different cultures and their practices, paving the way for a better world. Since social media allows you to converse with people outside your immediate circle, it also makes the world look smaller than it actually is. The physical location of a person becomes almost insignificant.

Inspires empathy

People always find it difficult to share things that are troubling them face-to-face. But many find it easier to share their troubles on social media. If you can relate to any issue shared by someone, you can encourage and support them through comments and messages. This will make you empathetic, and you may also be able to help them overcome the situation. Your friends will also become aware that you are seeing the issue from their perspective and are concerned about them. Observing how others handle difficult situations can be motivating and open our eyes to new perspectives. So, when faced with similar situations, you will be able to handle them better.

Find your voice

Social media allows users of all age groups, genders, and backgrounds to build a platform for themselves and find an audience base they can connect with. It provides an excellent way for people to improve their communication skills, boost their self-confidence, and even spread positive ideas across the masses. For example, consider the case of the social media platform TikTok. It allows young adults and teens to find their voice and regularly communicate with tens of thousands of people.

Offering and receiving support

Users can support those who believe in a cause by using social media platforms to spread the word about it. Furthermore, you can give and get support for anything you want to accomplish, be it creating a company, writing poetry, or even showing off your photography skills. These platforms will allow you to connect with people who share the same interests as yours. You will even be able to forge relationships that will help you improve your skills in your chosen niche.

Spreading news and information

News from almost anywhere can spread quickly on social media platforms. This can occasionally be intimidating, but it can keep the general public informed about critical events at all times. This can even be a tremendous advantage if you wish to spread the word about something quickly. Consider a case where a child is missing or has been abducted. Social media can be used to inform people so that everyone stays alert, and they can inform the police if they see the child anywhere.

Help for noble causes

Social media platforms can be used to spread the word about an incident or issue that requires help from others. For example, consider a case where someone requires blood urgently. Maybe a calamity has happened somewhere where more human hands are required for help. Social media can be used as a means to appeal to kind people for their help. Several times in the past, social media platforms were used to raise funds for charities that aided the underprivileged.

Every innovation, including social media, has advantages and disadvantages. As the people who use it, it is our responsibility to see that we utilize this innovation to bring positive changes to society.

Originally published at https://www.redwoodcreative.com on January 19, 2023.