Did you know that almost three-quarters of adults with internet access own social media accounts, with over half of these adults having two or more such accounts? Social media has evolved into a mainstay of our modern society, and its widespread usage is certainly not limited to youths alone. Considering the prevalence of social media in our society, what are the benefits of social media, and how can we harness these benefits to fit our needs in our 50s?
Self-esteem
Research studies have shown a direct positive correlation between sharing selfies and self-esteem. Sharing our daily lives and experiences online increases positive moods and confidence while ensuring that our friends and family can keep up to date with our current lives with just a press of a button. Social media provides us with a platform to express ourselves and allows us to bond with people of similar interests and tastes online. If you require an avenue to express yourself, consider adopting social media and harnessing its potential to boost your self-confidence while enriching your social life.
Community
Communities are built based on the needs and wants of their participants, and the advent of social media has gone a long way in furthering the creation of these communities online. Social media brings people together. It allows us to find like-minded individuals who share similar interests. It brings people together and creates a support system to further improve our social lives. Consider joining online communities to meet and develop bonds with like-minded individuals who share similar beliefs and interests as you!
News
Most of the information on current affairs on a local or international scale is now available online, as more and more people discard archaic mediums of news reporting such as traditional newspapers. Social media provides us with a collection of news from both personal and professional sources refined into a more digestible format while allowing us to curate the content we want to consume based on our individual preferences. Consider gathering a wealth of information from social media to enhance your knowledge.
Potential Dangers
While social media is an invaluable tool in enriching our respective lives, we should also consider the potential risks and harm it can have on us if we fail to consider its potential limitations. Social media can lead to depression or a worsened self-image as the media being posted online can propagate unrealistic standards of beauty which leads to damage to our self-esteem. Online communities can also transform into a malicious and hurtful space, as the lack of accountability people have over their comments online can turn these communities into emotionally distressing spaces for their users. Fake news, prevalent online as people are free to post misinformation, have an inverse effect on the knowledge we acquire online.
Social media is neither helpful nor harmful, it is just a medium for us to express ourselves. To truly harness its benefits, we have to keep in mind the potential pitfalls of this platform while navigating our way through social media.
