
In today’s technological society, the usage of social media has rapidly increased so much that it is almost essential for people to use social media. A prime example for this observation is that my Journalism professor last semester required the entire class to make a twitter account. She even asked us to tweet things that we learned from her lecture by using the hashtag #JRL. Her reasoning for making us do so was because she believed that Twitter (and social media, in general) was now a resource for journalism.
With so much of our everyday lives are affected by social media, we ought to be careful on the persona we present of ourselves on these pages. Social Media does have its positives. We can use to connect with family and friends and keep up with what is going on in their lives. We can use it to open the doors for networking opportunities. We can use just as a source of entertainment. Social Media can be very informative and fun at the same time if used properly.
But many times, adolescents abuse the power that they are given through social media. There have been numerous cases of cyber bullying through the social media. It is typically just some teenagers that are playfully teasing a classmate or peer and they fail to realize how hurtful their actions may be. Often times, their actions lead to someone committing suicide.
Now, you may be thinking that you probably would not participate in those actions or place yourself in that situation, so let’s take an even more practical look how social media can be used to one’s determent. As I stated earlier, the popularity and usage of social media has increased to the point that it is almost vital for all people to use it. Employers are now viewing the Facebook pages of their applicants. This means that if you are applying for a job, there is a good chance that whoever is making the decisions on whether or not to hire you is looking on your Facebook page to see the type of person you are. If that is the case, then we ought to be especially careful of what we put online because there may be certain things that may cause us to not get hired (regardless if you think that is fair or not).
Social Media can be great. It provides some many benefits. Heck, social media has been the cause of revolutions within the past year or two in the Middle East. Do not abuse it. Do not be careless with it. Use it to enhance your life, not destroy it.
With so much of our everyday lives are affected by social media, we ought to be careful on the persona we present of ourselves on these pages. Social Media does have its positives. We can use to connect with family and friends and keep up with what is going on in their lives. We can use it to open the doors for networking opportunities. We can use just as a source of entertainment. Social Media can be very informative and fun at the same time if used properly.
But many times, adolescents abuse the power that they are given through social media. There have been numerous cases of cyber bullying through the social media. It is typically just some teenagers that are playfully teasing a classmate or peer and they fail to realize how hurtful their actions may be. Often times, their actions lead to someone committing suicide.
Now, you may be thinking that you probably would not participate in those actions or place yourself in that situation, so let’s take an even more practical look how social media can be used to one’s determent. As I stated earlier, the popularity and usage of social media has increased to the point that it is almost vital for all people to use it. Employers are now viewing the Facebook pages of their applicants. This means that if you are applying for a job, there is a good chance that whoever is making the decisions on whether or not to hire you is looking on your Facebook page to see the type of person you are. If that is the case, then we ought to be especially careful of what we put online because there may be certain things that may cause us to not get hired (regardless if you think that is fair or not).
Social Media can be great. It provides some many benefits. Heck, social media has been the cause of revolutions within the past year or two in the Middle East. Do not abuse it. Do not be careless with it. Use it to enhance your life, not destroy it.