I know what you're thinking. Social media is usually thought of as a detriment to our health, physically and mentally. But what if I told you that social media use can benefit your mind, body, and spirit?
Introduction: Social Media for Communication in the Modern World
Social media and networking have undoubtedly transformed the world. The utilization of social media has drastically changed the ways in which we communicate today. These platforms enable users to access a variety of media in one place, including news, personal profiles, political campaigns, and instant messaging. Social media and networking have also made long-distance communication instantaneous- with the click of a few buttons, a message can be sent to someone across the globe. This convenience has led to an increase in communication through social media and networking platforms. Social media and networking have become the main methods in which we communicate today, and subsequently impact society in many ways (University of British Columbia, 2020). This paper will examine the societal implications of social media use as the main form of communication in the modern world.
The Influence of Social Variables on Social Media Communication
Myriad social variables are to be considered when we look at social media use for communication, with age being a key variable. Social media use spans all age groups, from youth to older adults. In the past decade and a half, the number of adults using social media for communication has skyrocketed (Allen, 2019). In 2005, only about five percent of adults in the United States reported using social media. By 2019, that number had jumped to nearly seventy percent of the adult population (Allen, 2019). Approximately eighty percent of adults ages 18 to 49 report using social media today (Auxier and Anderson, 2022). This usage trend is also reflected among teenagers- about ninety percent of teens report having used social media (AACAP, 2018). Additionally, social media usage in adults 50 to 64 is surprisingly high. Approximately seventy-three percent of adults in this age group report using social media (Auxier and Anderson, 2022). However, we see a downward usage trend when we look at adults 65 and older, with about forty-five percent of this population reporting use of social media.
As evidenced by the general usage statistics, social media is utilized in all age groups. When it comes to age and social media use, the most significant differences lie in the specific platforms used (Auxier and Anderson, 2022). For example, younger adults report using Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok much more frequently than older adults (Auxier and Anderson, 2022).
Additionally, education level is another social variable to consider with social media use. Research has demonstrated a positive correlation between social media use and education level (Perrin, 2020). Studies have also indicated a correlation between education level and which platforms we choose to frequent (Pew Research Center, 2022). A dramatic example of this relationship can be seen with users of LinkedIn. Only approximately ten percent of LinkedIn users only have a high school diploma (or less education than that), whereas fifty-one percent of its users are college graduates (Pew Research Center, 2022). However, the availability of different social media platform styles helps to increase access and usership of social media across diverse demographic groups.
The data shows the vast percentage of the population uses social media for communication, which is a staggering statistic (Pew Research Center, 2022). Not long ago, social media use was a new and limited concept, with stark demographic divisions in usership (Perrin, 2020). However, the research provides proof that social media has become a main route of communication in our society, despite differences in age, class, and education levels due to the diversity of platforms (Pew Research Center, 2022; University of British Columbia, 2020). By having the choice to use a multitude of platforms, we are essentially able to curate our social media experience to best suit our individual lifestyles. Social media and networking provide us with space to communicate in various ways, which makes it easy to see why this style of communication continues to flourish.
Social Media and Networking Communication: The Impact on Education
There are two sides to the debate regarding social media use in education systems. On one side, it’s argued that social media can be an invaluable tool to help students reach goals, learn to collaborate, and improve communication between students and between students and teachers (Faizi et al., 2013). Social media may also provide an outlet for students who are more confident in sharing their creative content online rather than in person. On the other hand, social media has been linked to poor academic performance (Lifespan, 2013). Studies have shown that social media usage can get in the way of students’ responsibilities, such as studying or homework, which subsequently reduces academic performance (Lifespan, 2013). Despite these opposing theories, there’s research that indicates that the way in which social media is used is what determines the trajectory of the experience (University of British Columbia, 2020). If social media communication is used in a positive way, such as to complement educational goals, students can find success. Conversely, if social media is used mainly for pleasure, it can pose a distraction for students and negative educational outcomes may ensue.
Social Media and Networking Communication in the United States
In the United States, social media and networking use has become standard for the majority of the population (Pew Research Center, 2022). Social media communication has expanded in recent years, making communication more efficient and accessible. Social media and networking are no longer reserved for chats between friends and family- it is now an invaluable tool that helps us access services for education, career opportunities, and even remote health care. Social media is providing us with a vast virtual world, a segment of reality that, if used to its full potential, can complement and improve our daily lives.
Societal Perceptions of Social Media Use for Communication
Although social media has, in many ways, improved society’s communication abilities, there’s been long-standing concern regarding social displacement (Hall and Liu, 2022). The social displacement theory refers to the replacement of face-to-face time with social media use, leading to a reduction in overall well-being. This proposition has garnered more concern in recent years, as the use of technology for communication has become more prevalent. However, studies have found that social media use predominately displaces other types of media use, instead of quality time with family and friends (Valkenburg et al., 2022). Additionally, these studies found that social media fosters relationships by providing a means of communication when people are unable to be together physically. It’s a common notion today that those who have grown up with social media may be less social in physical settings. But these perceptions may soon give way, as the expanding use of social media likely signifies that the way we communicate with others is changing for good.
Conclusion
Social media and networking for communication are powerful tools that are utilized by the majority of the population in the United States. Although there are many social variables that influence social media use, the continual growth of these networking platforms indicates the gaps in accessibility are closing (Perrin, 2020; Pew Research Center, 2022). Communication through social media and networking is now an integral part of our lives and has forever changed society. It can now be argued that social media can benefit our social relationships, education, and personal growth. We can use social media to access wellness platforms that help us with self care and love, and we can connect to others in a way we never could before.
References
AACAP. (2018). Social Media and Teens. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Social-Media-and-Teens-100.aspx
Allen, S. (2019). Social Media's growing impact on our lives. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/members/content/social-media-research
Auxier, B., & Anderson, M. (2022, May 11). Social media use in 2021. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/04/07/social-media-use-in-2021/
Faizi, R., El Afia, A., & Chiheb, R. (2013). Exploring the potential benefits of using social media in Education. International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy (IJEP), 3(4), 50. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v3i4.2836
Hall, J. A., & Liu, D. (2022). Social media use, social displacement, and well-being. Current Opinion in Psychology, 46, 101339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101339
Lifespan. (2013, April 11). Texting, social networking and other media use linked to poor academic performance. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130411131755.htm
Perrin, A. (2020, May 30). Social Media Usage: 2005-2015. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2015/10/08/social-networking-usage-2005-2015/
Pew Research Center. (2022, January 11). Social Media Fact Sheet. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/social-media/
University of British Columbia Okanagan campus. (2020, November 2). It's not if, but how people use social media that impacts their well-being. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201102110030.htm
Valkenburg, P. M., Beyens, I., Meier, A., & Vanden Abeele, M. M. P. (2022). Advancing our understanding of the associations between social media use and well-being. Current Opinion in Psychology, 47, 101357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101357
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