How Did Social Media Change The Way People Interact?



How Did Social Media Change The Way People Interact?

Introduction

Social media has truly changed society. It has affected how we think, how we act, and more importantly, how we interact with each other. There are numerous varying opinions as to the benefits of social media. Many are with the technological advancements and many are against it. Based on unbiased observations, social media can be said to lie in between being a gift and being a disaster. It is only a matter of time before the changes that social media has brought about become more of a norm, thus become crystal clear and be easily compared to a few decades earlier. It must be noted that at present, the effect social media has had on interactions with other individuals has become quite apparent primarily due to the availability of technology. Change is a part of every society. Any society that insists on not changing has faced extinction. This can be viewed numerous times throughout history where civilizations failed to embrace foreign cultures and were either murdered or lost all trace of their own heritage. Perfect examples of societies adapting and welcoming change include the Chinese and the Japanese. After centuries of being closed to foreigners, these two nations have become the center of trade and have seen their economies rise faster than any nation in history.

Social media has made information accessible to the common man. As compared to a few decades ago, a man reading a newspaper or tuning in to the radio station was thought of as a wise and knowledgeable individual. Access to such information was limited to large and developed cities. As compared to today, this information is available to every single individual carrying a cell phone. Internet connectivity has truly changed how we access information. Similarly, social media has changed how we interact with people. Friends, family and colleagues are merely a click away. It must be noted that the use of the term 'information' does not imply something that is useful explicitly; it is used to describe quite literally any bit of knowledge. This knowledge may be beneficial or harmful. In scientific terms, any signal that contains a form of message, whether or not if it was intended for that purpose is deemed to be information.

Discussion

By reaching the far corners of the world, through attractive and simplistic means, media enjoys the privilege of effective influence and consequential impact that cannot be compared to any human feat. Societies of today simply cannot escape the effects of social media. Proof of such change can be seen in the discarding of traditions, taboos and perceptions held so dear by the older generation by the younger and much more technologically savvy youth. Amid numerous outbursts and blames, social media has truly changed the identity of family. No longer do parents have to sit by the phone waiting for a call from their son studying in the opposite coast, nor do they ...