Social Media and Its Double-Edged Nature

Here is the second post of a series we wrote in 3sc. You'll find one each Thursday here on Let's Blog. This one is by Francesco Elviretti.

“The more social media we have, the more we think we're connecting, 

yet we are really disconnecting from each other…”

Lately many serious issues related to the brand new technological innovations have been discussed, and several different and discordant opinions have arisen. However, how should we consider a gigantic phenomenon like Social Media? Are its pros and cons correctly evaluated?

From my experience and point of view, it seems to me that Social Media has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. It serves as a platform for connection, information dissemination, and self-expression. However, beneath its shiny surface lies a manipulative side, making it impossible to live without it.

Its Benefits

At its core, social media has revolutionized the way we communicate and interact with one another. It has bridged geographical barriers, allowing people from different corners of the globe to connect instantaneously. It allows reuniting with old friends, forming new communities of shared interests, or fostering cross-cultural dialogue.

Social media has indeed brought the world closer together in ways previously unimaginable. The gap between now and the past lies in the lack of connectivity of the world of decades ago, which has now been overcome with this technological invention.

It true, social media has overcome geographical barriers. However, does it allow the same kind of closeness in communication in our relationships?

Its cons

It seems to me that’s not the fact. As a matter of fact, when I see my friends hanging out together and spending time on their phones, scrolling through social media and posting nice picture,s I suddenly realize that this huge innovation has ruined us.

A quote I love relating to is “You don’t want to be, You want to seem to be”. It sums up everything about this fact, since teenagers prefer posting pictures on Instagram to look nice to the world, instead of having a great time hanging out together.

Moreover, many of them have developed what’s called FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), when they see some friends of theirs having fun through social media they feel left behind. The constant bombardment of curated lifestyles and unrealistic standards portrayed on social media platforms can be dangerous for mental health, leading to feelings of inadequacy, envy, anxiety and depression

In addition, most people believe that in the digital age, there can be various social pressures or expectations to follow certain individuals or accounts. These pressures may arise from societal norms, peer influence, or even professional obligations. For example, you might feel compelled to follow a co-worker or acquaintance to maintain social harmony or networking opportunities.

Additionally, the previously mentioned FOMO can lead to a desire to stay connected with trends or popular figures, leading people to follow accounts that they're not genuinely interested in.

Conclusions

While social media has transformed the way we connect, communicate, and express ourselves, it also presents a host of complexities that demand careful navigation. To sum up, social media is a double-edged sword that has the power to connect, empower and inspire, but also to divide, isolate, and harm.

Hello there! I'm Francesco Elviretti, a 16-year-old student in my third year of the Liceo Scientifico. I find great pleasure in studying subjects like mathematics, physics, biology, and all things science, but my true passion lies in the field of medicine. I've joined this project to share fascinating insights with you, things you might not have discovered yet. Care to place a bet? XD