In today’s digital age, the world is more connected than it has ever been. According to recent studies, roughly 5.5 billion people — 68 percent of the global population — have internet access (statista.com). Along with the internet comes one of the most contentious topics in our new online society: social media. Many mainstream media outlets tend to harp on the supposed harm caused by social media; however, a focus should be placed on the positive impact social media can have by connecting people digitally who are otherwise thousands of miles apart, and shining a light on topics and events that could easily go unnoticed by the majority of the world.
Social media is a very easy way to connect with others. There are plenty of different types of apps, ranging from ones that promote professional connectivity like LinkedIn to others that thrive on stories that disappear after 24 hours like Instagram. According to a Harvard news article, “Social media can provide spaces for connection, identity formation, solidarity, and social support” (hsph.harvard.edu). Social media has provided people with the opportunity to feel supported and understood, allowing them to share ideas and make new friendships with like-minded individuals.
Social media helps people connect — no matter how far apart they are — whether it be one mile or 1000 miles. “Social media has helped me connect with family that I have not seen in a while because they live in different states and also with old friends I lost touch with,” said Junior Audrey Forde. Social media can help people share life events and keep a sense of closeness with those who play important parts in our lives.
Social media is also a great way for teens to stay connected and involved with social activities happening around them. According to a story published in the National Library of Medicine, “Overall, social media can be an important tool for adolescents to find social connection, seek social support, and gain access to health information” (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). This shows how social media is not just for entertainment, and it can actually be used for important causes like health and inclusion.
Social media is also used as a way to stay updated on events happening all over the country and throughout the world. According to a UNESCO survey of 16 countries around the world, 56 percent of internet users frequently use social media to stay informed about current events (unesco.org). This indicates that social media is becoming a main resource for people to get their news and stay up to date with current events. “I don’t ever watch the news on TV, but while I am scrolling through my different social media apps, I will come across videos about events happening around the world that I would have never known about if I didn’t have social media,” said Forde.
Some may argue that social media can give out false information about events or overexaggerate in order to push a particular point of view on certain topics. According to an article on the spreading of misinformation, “According to behavioral models, exposure to misinformation increases the odds that people will believe it, which in turn increases the odds that they will spread it. At the same time, people do not necessarily need to believe misinformation in order to spread it; people may share information they know is false to signal their political affiliation, disparage perceived opponents, or accrue social rewards” (apa.org). There are plenty of unreliable sources on social media, but there are also lots of credible sources that will give people the information they are looking for. Major news channels like CNN, NBC, ABC, and NPR, as well as government entities like the World Health Organization and the United Nations, have social media accounts providing accurate and reliable updates on the world.
Social media is oftentimes looked at negatively, but its ability to connect people, help build connections with others, and share information makes it an important part of our world today.