Social media and Networking

Social media and Networking

Social media

Readily Accessible Information

The continued evolution of technology, and particularly the internet, has enhanced the ease of accessing and sharing information across the universe. The argument that the world has become a “global village” holds, noting the ability to connect with people in different regions instantly. Moreover, the infinite flow of multidisciplinary data in various internet-based platforms is a notable aspect of contemporary developments. This prompt will focus on the contribution of social media, concentrating on WhatsApp, Twitter, and Facebook.

Advantages of Readily Accessible Information

One benefit of easily available and accessible information is the promotion of education and knowledge acquisitions. As posited, the social media connects people across the world, who share data on different phenomena (Siddiqui & Singh, 2016). Researchers and scholars upload their findings on free to access websites or dedicated databases for all interested parties to view and share. Such capability has empowered learners and the public at large to study and understand new concepts.

Easily accessible information has also enhanced the quality of life for many people. Markedly, sick people can access health care providers through social media to book appointments and receive instant guidelines on appropriate remedies to manage illnesses. Likewise, business people can enjoy better returns due to the information available online regarding such market trends as prices, supply, levies, and regulations. More information improves decision-making and the quality of people’s lives.

Advantages of Readily Accessible Information

Despite the discussed positive contribution of readily available data on decision-making, the same concept can lead to inefficient decisions. People can share techniques of handling specific issues that are universal to many populations, leading to heuristics that fail to consider the context of each problem. Consequently, erroneous solutions are adopted, a factor that results in losses.

In education, easily accessible information has led to declining professional performance in cases where learners copy online content in their tests or are distracted by online connections. Graduates released to the labor market are not adequately prepared since they are under-skilled (Siddiqui & Singh, 2016). Socially, the increased ease of retrieving information has increased cases of cyberbullying and cybercrime. People can easily access information through such platforms as social media and use it to persecute others or hack their private data.

Merits and Demerits of Social media

The development and growth of social media have several notable averages. These include the ability to connect people across the globe in real-time. Such Platforms as WhatsApp, Twitter, and Facebook, among others, allow users to interact instantly through their internet-enabled devices (Drahošová & Balco, 2017). Other benefits include sharing of experiences via visual and audio capabilities, online marketing, access to crucial societal information, and the promotion of group-based communications.

Nevertheless, social media has contributed to notable adversities. Examples include increased cases of online bullying, loss of privacy, poor social skills, online addiction and underperformance, fraud and identity theft, and the negative impacts of rumors or false information (Drahošová & Balco, 2017). Such elements have overreaching social and economic consequences.

Enlightened Use of Social Media in Career

The discussion on the benefits and demerits of social media is useful for future career character. Importantly, I intend to use social media for personal branding, a factor that can enhance my prospect of employability. Markedly, digital intelligence in many platforms can link an individual to other contacts with similar interests. Nevertheless, the high risk of fraud indicates the need for me to adopt defensive software to protect my data against hackers. Equally, I will keenly evaluate the information acquired from social media sites to avoid consuming misleading or false information.

Credibility Issues from Online Content

Such credibility issues as accuracy, originality, and currency of information shared in social media are relevant considerations (Li & Suh, 2015). The need for social capital and personal branding in social media can prompt one to post overrated data. Similarly, one can plagiarize borrowed content from past publications, leading to legal challenges. Such dimensions should guide the sharing of information in online spheres.

References

Drahošová, M., & Balco, P. (2017). The analysis of advantages and disadvantages of use of social media in European Union. Procedia Computer Science, 109, 1005–1009. doi: 10.1016/j.procs.2017.05.446

Li, R., & Suh, A. (2015). Factors influencing information credibility on social media platforms: Evidence from Facebook pages. Procedia Computer Science, 72, 314–328. doi: 10.1016/j.procs.2015.12.146

Siddiqui, S., & Singh, T. (2016). Social media its impact with positive and negative aspects. International Journal of Computer Applications Technology and Research, 5(2), 71–75. doi: 10.7753/ijcatr0502.1006