Let's Talk About...The Pro's & Con's of Social Media
- Zali McKee
- Jan 9, 2018
- 3 min read
Ah, social media.
How I love and hate you at the same time.
Now I know what you're thinking, how could you hate social media?
Trust me, there are many reasons why social media can have it's cons, even though it has its pros.
Pros in this situation of course are that we can connect with celebrities, internet sensations, family, friends and keep in contact with them no matter where they are.
Another thing it has saved kids lives during high school and university, without it, you'd have to hit the books.
And that takes too much time.
Ain't nobody got time for that.
Of course with social media too it's created jobs for many people in the entertainment industry, giving them a platform when they aren't able to directly go into acting/music or any other creative career, it's a step in the right direction.
Shawn Mendes is a great example. Without the creation of Vine (R.I.P), Shawn would've not gained the recognition that managed to get him two world tours in the matter of two years.
Artists like Cody Simpson, Justin Bieber and many more performed covers on YouTube, and without it, wouldn't have again been recognised. Maybe they could've, but we'll never know.
But let me break down on the fact of why social media can be dangerous.
First of all: It's a breeding ground for bullies.
Cyber bullying has increased over so many years, with much younger kids even lower than the age of 10 jumping onto the social media train.
It's become one of the leading causes of suicide, depression and anxiety. Suicide has becoming the leading number one cause of death in the world.
And that there breaks my heart.
This is happening to kids at the age of 10.
10.
Another thing with social media is that pressure has now been placed amongst teens and young adults to look, act and be a certain way. Coming up with clever captions on Instagram photos to gain the most likes, comparing followers with each other... it's become an acceptance game.
For teens and young adults, they feel like they need to be someone they're not, not learning to love themselves. Instead, of they create a fake persona.
Of course, it has happened to me. I'm not going to bullshit or beat around the bush. I edit my photos and put on filters to feel better about myself.
Which I shouldn't, but I do.
I don't smile that much in photos anymore because my teeth aren't like everyone else's.
I shouldn't, but I do.
And sadly, social media isn't to blame, but is a factor of how I've become so self conscious within myself.
Another reason why social media can be dangerous is only just recently, YouTuber, Logan Paul, posted a video on January 2nd about finding a dead body in Japan in the forest known as "Suicide Forest". It's a place where many people walk into the depths of the forest and kill themselves.
Logan mocked, laughed and filmed a dead body, edited the video and posted it to his subscribers. He mocked, laugh and joked about someone's suffering in that moment. He used someone's suffering as content for his own gain.
His demographic is 6-14-year-olds.
See what I mean?
And the reason why he did this?
Because of views, which equals money in his back pocket.
Exploting his young fans to horrible images of a human who committed suicide is digusting. But, there's another point in this:
6 year olds are on social media.
6. Year. Olds.
When I was six, I was outside enjoying life. Now parents almost don't have time for their kids, sit an iPad in front of them and let them go nuts.
Parents, wake up and get your shot together.
Sure, there are learning games as such on iPads, but how about you take your kids outside, pay I don't know, attention to them? Instead of being on your own phone.
Look, I know some of you will disagree on some points, which is fine I don't honestly care.
But, for me, social media isn't about being social, it's about being liked by everyone.
And that my friend is sad.
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