While social media can be a useful tool, there are also ways that it can be detrimental. Social media is more hurtful than helpful because there are endless posts by unreliable platforms and people. Social media affects people in different ways throughout the global events that occur in our world. Some use social media to post updates about their lives, but others use it to post their opinions. During world events, this leads to false information circulating the web and people sharing inaccurate facts to shape their opinions.
When a widespread event takes place, influencers and celebrities who have a big following feel obligated to post or repost information to get the attention of their fans. They often post information their social media managers tell them to – a marketing stunt to make their followers happy with them. However, a large following means a multitude of differing opinions, and there is no way to please everyone. It would be more effective if people with a strong statement post it on a reliable platform such as an update from the government. Further, no celebrities or users should post just to hop on a trend. Social media confuses people on different sides of the world’s issues. It causes people to misunderstand and share things that are incorrect.
Posts with false accusations and false information can be contagious and harmful to the accuracy of what is going on. People begin to believe these fake ideas and spread them to others. This creates larger support for incorrect stances and leads to arguments about the topic. According to Pew Research Center, “64% of people in the US say social media has a negative effect on the way things are going in the US today.” Pew Research Center shows that more people also believe that when social media is being used certain matters can get worse.
Social media fans may feel it is helpful to get information out to the public and share the word. While this is sometimes correct, people can use other more reliable means to become more informed or aware of different topics. Social media is also a good way to show videos and pictures of the events going on, displaying the reality to those who don’t live in it. But you can watch and follow reliable news sources rather than random people posting on social media. “I think in some ways it is helpful to get information out, but unhelpful because it can cause more chaos,” sophomore Joanna Jacob said.
Not only is social media harmful to us as individuals during these world issues, but it could be harmful to our country and the military who are working for our country. Arguments that people get into can cause chaos and be dangerous depending on who posts them. According to military.com, “These seemingly innocent posts could contain sensitive information that endangers soldiers by revealing locations, security measures, mission operations, or troop movements,” Army’s social media experts said.
It can lead to danger for our military if information gets out that is not supposed to. In-person fights between people who have different opinions can happen more often, and then these fights are posted, affecting more people and possibly leading to unbearable harsher arguments about the topic in the future.
Social media can be good for posting special events and talking to friends but there is no need for it to be involved during critical times. Overall, social media when talking about world events is hurtful. While it can help display current events, it more often makes the argument worse and divides people.
