By: Muzamil Arif
Social media is a tool that is becoming quite popular these days because of its user-friendly features like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more which ensures a chance to connect with people across distances. In other words, the whole world is at our fingertips and all thanks to internet and particularly social media.
With the technological advances and the increased scope of media, communication with anyone around the world has become easy. Earlier we had to wait for days or sometimes months for a beautiful handwritten letter sent through post from close and loved ones. But now any dialogue happens in a fraction of seconds.
Social media is one of the major platforms of communications. We cannot imagine our daily routine without it as Internet penetration has brought the world together on one platform. Now we can easily connect with anyone anywhere in the world. With the pictures or videos that are overflowing the social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, one is constantly updated about near and dear ones.
Having said that, one cannot neglect the fact that there is also a negative side to it too as it is the Social media that keeps us hooked up for hours and our precious time is wasted. While social media is definitely a great source of information and entertainment but it also has a risk of addiction and there is unsuitable content also available which is seen by inappropriate age groups as well. The other negative aspects would include the increase in crime (cybercrime), increasing frauds, hacking of information, virus attacks, low productivity in work, negative publicity and low internet penetration in some parts of the world. One cannot just overlook the unfavorable aspects of social media.
In short, social media, like other things has its pros and cons and it depends upon the user as to what he/she opts and how the time management is done. It is evident that social media is very addictive and there are thousands and thousands of youth are lured to it just for fun alone. But it is always in the hands of the user how the facility is availed and utilized to enhance knowledge and information besides being in touch with loved ones across the globe.
Writer is a Graduate Student. muzamilarifbatt@gmail.com
