Significance of social media in today’s life (by Rekha Kalita) – APSC Mains Essay

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Significance of social media in today’s life – APSC Mains Essay

(Essay submitted in APSC Mains Essay Writing Contest 2019 – Essay Topics for week 1)

 

Significance of social media in today’s life

By Rekha Kalita

 

“Connectivity is a human right”-Mark Zuckerberg

Today it has become almost impossible to visualise a world without internet. Social media is a internet based technology that give platform to share ideas, thoughts and information by building virtual networks and communities. It has a broad canvas right from Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn etc. It has brought a tremendous revolution in terms of connectivity. The information on any topic is just a click away. Infact, social media has changed the way people interact and carry on with their everyday life.

Social media has touched every aspects of human life and society. It reduced the geographical barriers and helped to form communities of like minded people from every corner of the world. It almost replaced the other modes of communication existed before. It helped to keep up with the global trends. Social media has emerged as a marker of social status with people increasingly sharing their personal information, pictures, videos etc.

” Social media has played a key role in democratizing our discourse”- Narendra Modi

Social media is being hugely used as a tool for political campaigning and advertising, for seeking support for political movement , for transparency and accountability of government etc. For example: social media had a big role in winning elections for Narendra Modi (2014), Barack Obama (2008), mobilizing support for Arab Spring (2010) etc.

” The great thing about social media was how it gave a voice to voiceless people” JonRanson

Social media helped in creating awareness about several social issues. For example fight for LGBTQ rights. #metoo Campaign on social media against sexual harassment and assault specially in work place shows how it give platform to raise voice against injustice and inequality. Social media is being used judiciously to start and expand online business by many people. Various companies use social media to recruit new employee ,  advertised their products etc.

In raising awareness about environment and Environment protection the role of social media cannot be neglected.

Social media today has emerged as a double edged sword. On one hand it has transformed the way we think, believe and act but on the other hand the dark side of the virtual world also dangerously mushroomed since its inception.

The privacy of users on social media is at great threat. Fake news are misleading people. Social media is used successfully by various terrorist groups to expand their network, recruit people, distribute their literature etc.

Social media addiction not only consume lots of productive time but also created the problem of social and anxiety like FOMO (fear of missing out). It is too easy to get jealous of others on social media

Increasing screen time. too much typing etc. also take a toll on physical health of the users. Social media has emerged as an avenue for Cyber crimes like cyber bullying , stalking identity theft, piracy etc.

Our life has become more convenient because of social media. However,  there is always advantages and disadvantages for a thing. We have to aware of how we use them. Our smart choice can make the world a better place to live.

[ 520 Words ]

 

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APSC mains 2018 test series GS & Optional Paper