So what is social media? Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “forms of electronic communication (as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (as videos)” (“Social Media”, 2017). When we think of social media, what automatically comes to mind are the websites Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, the likes. Soon after, we also remember to check our accounts. Did your colleague accept the invite to the party you sent via Facebook events? Has your favorite actor updated his fans on his new movie via tweet? How many ‘likes’ did the picture of your dog garner on Instagram?

While it has become second nature for us to glance at our phones for any new notifications, sometimes, we take for granted how good we have it, especially in countries like the United States, where these technological advances are just within our reach. Unfortunately, while social media has moved us up the ladder of finding more and more capabilities of the Internet, some areas of the globe are, not only behind, but greatly restrict how readily available the web is.

This isn’t the only issue regarding social media and the Internet. As with any new inventions that grow and are built up by its users, the Internet and its millions upon millions of websites are not indestructible. By that, no area of the Internet is perfect. Unless networks consisting of groups of the most tech-savvy individuals run your platforms, it is inevitable that things will withstand viruses or hacks. Even then, human beings, not robots, run these websites.

Social media has its advantages and disadvantages. Two advantages being the ability to connect with many users worldwide and for entertainment purposes. The disadvantages, on the other hand, are that there are parts of the world that have allow very little or no connection at all to the net and sites can prove to be faulty.

Since the invention of the Internet, people all over the world had access to services that upgraded our lifestyles in some way. This can be said mainly for building and maintaining our personal relationships. From the era in which e-mail and AIM were the primary forms of communication between web users to the present day in which we can leave a comment on a friend’s photo or share a news article that prompts a debate, it’s pretty obvious as to how the net has changed the way we interact with one another, whether they are on the same street or in a different continent altogether.

This can prove to be beneficial when it comes to organizing groups of like-minded people who want to rally against injustices that are personal to them or promote a cause they believe in. For example, information about the various Women’s Marches that had recently taken place were spread to different nations with details such as the locations of the nearest gatherings and do’s and don’ts concerning potential legal problems one might face. Photographs from people who participated also gave those who couldn’t attend a glimpse of how much impact our beliefs can have when we band together to speak our minds.

Another organization that had members using social media as a way to reach out to others is the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Founded by Paul Watson in 1977, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, or SSCS for short, is an organization that aims to protect marine animals and stop harmful practices that target said animals. In there own words, SSCS “ use innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas” (“Home”, 2016). One of the strong advocates for Sea Shepherd, actor Ross McCall, occasionally tweets and shares photos and videos that expose the brutal practices Sea Shepherd is against, and even encourages his fans and followers to think about the morality of these traditions and what they can do to fight it. This, in turn, brings people to talk more about these issues, expressing their disgust at killings and even asking how they can be of help. Social media plays a part in keeping people interested, informed, and active.

Possibly one of the most common uses of social media is for entertainment. The Internet has provided users with video streaming services in which one can watch movies or short slips of different topics, from DIY tutorials to funny viral videos of cute animals. While it is important to keep your head on the ground and be present in what’s going on in the world around you, life can prove to be overwhelming. Having time to step away from the news broadcasts and activism and instead, opting to watch a film or using the iBooks app on your phone is another upside of social media.

While harping about how much the Internet, technology, and social media have graced our lives in some of the best ways imaginable, we need to keep in mind that our experiences are not always mirrored by others, say, in poorer areas or oppressive countries. Although the Internet is “free” in that most of us can use it for as long as we please under a Wi-Fi connection, others aren’t so lucky. People who can’t afford their own devices—and therefore, their own connections—are, essentially, disconnected. It is possible for them to still be in the know locally. However, it can be difficult to see what else is happening outside of their hometown.

On the flip side, we can consider the situations of those who cannot access the Internet at all, due to an oppressive government. The most popular example of this is North Korea, whose state prevents the average citizen from accessing the net. Only the most elite have this luxury, and even then, social media is banned from the North Korean web. There are quite a few residents who are granted access to the Internet, but these are individuals related to the leader Kim Jung-on. Not surprisingly, with North Korea’s own operating system and chat rooms that are monitored by the government, it is very difficult to contact anyone from outside the country (Lee, 2012).

Additionally, social media is prone to incidents that have the potential to expose users’ personal information. When was the last time you received an e-mail from a website you signed up for, detailing that there has been a hack that collects people’s data, such as e-mail addresses, phone numbers, and credit card credentials. More often then not, these messages end with a suggestion to change your password and not to open links you don’t trust. Two of the most reported stories of the decade involved two hacks: one in which racy photos of celebrities were leaked to the public from their iCloud accounts, the other being the infamous “Sony hack” that released e-mail exchanges between producers and executives in the Hollywood industry. While we do reprogram our sites to prevent future hacks, that doesn’t mean those executing these hacks will not advance their methods.

Overall, there are both pros and cons of social media and Internet use. The positives are that social media can bring people from all over the world together and we can use these platforms to take a break from reality. The disadvantages are centered on the restriction of the net in certain places and the less-than-perfect set ups.

 

Works Cited

“Home.” Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, 2016. Web. 1 Feb. 2017.

Lee, Dave. “North Korea: On the Net in World’s Most Secretive Nation.” BBC News. BBC, 10 Dec. 2012. Web. 1 Feb. 2017. <http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-20445632>.

“Social media.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2017. Web. 31 Jan. 2017.