By:
Abel Angelo DP Bayot Jr.
Social
Media is a group of applications, websites, or interfaces where people create,
share or exchange ideas, messages, photographs and other information in online communities
or forums. This new form of communication is so popular to the Filipinos.
According to the 24/7 Wall Street Journal, the Philippines is the Social Media
Capital of the world. This phenomenon undoubtedly ameliorates our everyday
lives. However, there are times when people misuse this invention and they set
themselves as bad examples for society. To become ethical and prudent users of
social media, one should bear in mind that he should have a sense of balance in
their virtual and real life. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of
social media.
Social Media is a good
exercise of freedom of speech. Through social media, people can express their
emotions, ideas and opinions. Websites like “The Mendiola Files” give users a
chance to tell their stories, jokes, experiences and dissatisfactions in and
with San Beda. It enhances awareness of the Bedan Community. Social Media also
helps people reach out to government agencies and officials to sound off their
perspectives and grievances.
Fortunately, these opinions
do not fall on deaf ears and some authorities take action. In a way, social
media improves cognizance to current events happening in the country.
However, too much freedom of
speech is a bad thing. While it is so
easy to say something in social media, some people tend to blatantly post what
just comes out of their mind. Some of these posts have no sense of tact and it
can offend or discriminate other persons. Posts on social media can be
dangerous because even deleting it won’t change the fact that it reached out to
other people. Posting on social media is like going up a stage to give a talk.
Whether it is a cultured speech or an irrational rant you don’t know all the
people in your audience and each of them can either agree with your thoughts or
harbor negative feelings for you. So next time that you are about to post, make
sure that you really stand for your opinion and you do not violate the rights
of others.
Social Media also gives us
unlimited access to information, videos, pictures etc. It is a thing in the
past to spend hours going to the library, browsing card catalogs and copying
notes from the book. Today, the online generation share information through the
internet. However, it can give certain distractions and being exposed to
unfiltered content can make people be accustomed to sex, drugs and violence.
One of the reasons why the draft of the New Criminal Code will lowers the
criminal age to 13 years old is because children today can easily connect to R
– 18 materials in the internet. This is one of the biggest threats of social
media because if the new code passes, the law would find it hard to decipher
whether or not the child acted with discernment.
Social media can also help
people communicate with persons who they can’t be with physically because of
time or distance. However, some people are too preoccupied with the happenings
in social media that they neglect real and genuine communication with the
people around them. Of course, it is easier to text or chat using cellphones
and computers because you got to think first of what to say but it destroys the
spontaneity of personal conversations. Talking sometimes becomes dull because
some people are not used to it. If they got caught on an awkward situation,
they would just turn on their smartphones and text to escape the reality of the
people around them. It’s just sad to have reunions, meetings, dinners and
parties where people do not interact and not even make eye contact anymore.
In conclusion, social media
is an innovation that exponentially improves our lives. It is a step forward
for society. However, it carries some disadvantages and threats. It is man that
created technology and he should not stoop down and be a slave of it. Finding
the proper balance would benefit both the online community and the one’s
personal life. Do not just give people your LIKE, give them your time and love.
Thanks for reading my blog. Here is a youtube video/link
about a spoken word film for the online generation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7dLU6fk9QY
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