Social Impact of Digital Communication

This article discusses the social impact of digital communication via social media. It highlights the benefits and drawbacks of social media and how it has revolutionized human lives. The article also suggests a balanced approach to using social media.

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Social Impact of Digital Communication
Developments in technology have multiplied quite significantly in the recent past. The
most astonishing development in this regard is the rise of social media. Social media collectively
refers to a bunch of online socializing forums. The top of the list is occupied by Facebook and
Twitter (Ahmed, Abed, Hassoon and Ahmed 186). Researchers have concluded that social media
helps people in socialization and allows them to overcome territorial barriers. People from
different cultures and demographic contingencies can reach out to each other (Kaul 117). The
social media network allows its users to connect to and communicate with people around the
world. There are also some significantly harmful impacts of social media on its users (Matusitz
23). This digital mode of communication has lessened the emotional intelligence of people. The
element of physical interaction has also been impacted quite drastically by digital
communication (Long 12). A handful of studies present solutions to overreliance of youth on
social media. The use of social media has both pros and cons. A balanced approach must be
taken which allows the users to stay connected to the world and reap maximum benefits of the
social media but not on the cost of real-life relations, peace and comfort.
The process of globalization has been made more explicit and vivid only by dint of social
media. The growing and widening interconnectedness of people have allowed cultural diffusion.
People can share their ideas across the continents and get benefited from each other’s innovation
and advancements. Access to knowledge and information has increased. These factors have

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brought about multiple social changes. The digital communication has rightly revolutionized the
social and cultural set-ups of societies. Some beneficial changes brought about by digital
communication are briefly explained in the following paragraphs.
Learning and business practices have been revolutionized by digital communication. To
study abroad has virtually become possible even by staying at home as the most reputed
universities are offering online courses and classes. Likewise, the business practices have
become easier and more feasible because tracking of shipments, negotiation regarding plans, the
signing of agreements and transferring the money all can be done online. Not only this but also
marketing and advertising of business on the social media forums have added to their
competitive advantages (Matusitz 39).
Digital communication via social media has come up with so many features which allow
face to face interaction. These features include video calling, voice calling, sending and receiving
of emails and a lot more. Distances can be covered with a single touch on phones and loved, and
dears ones can be reached instantly. This has added to the quality of life by successfully uplifting
living standards.
Though social media has numerous benefits and advantages in the field of
communication, it also has very gross disadvantages. To explain these harmful effects in a single
line, it will suffice to say that the more the people are connected on social media, the lesser they
are in real lives. Social media brings a person near to someone else from a different area or
region or even a continent, but it does not spare as much time for the user as he/she may meet or
greet one's family and friends. The way distances have been decreased by digital communication
of social media; likewise, distances can be potentially increased by this technology if a balanced
approach is not followed. Digital communication via social media has become an obsession of

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the time. This excessive use of social media for digital communication has brought forth
numerous harmful implications. Some drastic consequences of digital communication via social
media are explained in the following paragraphs.
The most damaging impact of digital communication via social media is upon teenagers.
This age group does not know the appropriate use of social media. Their inquisitive and curious
nature often lands them in troubles. Exploiting this age group via social media is quite easy, and
numerous gangs are operating online merely to seduce this age group and use them later for
furthering their interest (Ahmed, Abed, Hassoon and Ahmed 146).
The decline in emotional intelligence is another drastic implication of digital
communication via social media. Meeting person in real and interacting live adds on to the
emotional intelligence of the person. Perception and sensing get strength. In contrast to this,
when the interaction is virtual, sensing and perception do not develop to the optimal level (Zizek
219). Emotional decline not only impacts the academic and professional life of the person but
also the outlook towards life changes. A mechanic and robotic outlook of life prevail. This shuns
the aesthetic perspective of life. Such a life lived is certainly no life.
All the content shown on social media is not permissible for all age groups. Not only this
but also people with stressed and depressed mindsets may get a suicidal trigger from certain
types of content shown on social media (Kaul 113). This puts the very wellbeing of people at
risk. This risk is potentially higher when no check and balance is kept on social activities.
Moreover, modern day rivalries are also erupting from online forums. Several cases of
blackmailing and exploitation have been reported across the world. These factors serve as a stain
on the face of digital communication via social media (Piechota).

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Privacy of the content shared while communicating on social media has also emerged as
a significant concern (Wooley 39). Once the recipient receives the information in the form of
text, image, audio or any other file format, for example, the compressed files, that information
cannot be deleted by the sender. The power of denying access to one’s assets has been taken
away by digital communication via social media quite trickily. The subsequent implications of
unwilling sharing of information and its potential usage for exploitation or any other illegitimate
or illegal purpose are horrific as well (Long 3).
It is rightly quoted that safe and balanced usage of everything keeps risks and threats
within curable range and excess of everything is bad (Barker & David 79). Social media and
digital communication have become the dire need of the hour. Present era requires these tools
essentially, but absolute dependence on these tools is like putting all eggs in one basket. In order
to inculcate a mass awareness regarding balanced used of digital communication via social
media and that too ensuring safety and security of the entire process, governments must take
initiatives to educate and inform their citizens (Lapshin). When the code of conduct on these
forums is well-defined, and the transparency along with privacy is maintained, then the digital
communication is destined to bring the era of ease of comfort for the human race. In short, every
innovation, advancement, and invention has a few shortcomings. If these short-comings are
exploited more than the strengths, then the harmful implications outnumber its benefits and
advantages. Digital communication has revolutionized human lives, and more milestones are yet
to be covered. Only positive energies and balanced approach can help human beings reap most of
the benefits from it (Zizek 228).
In the end, it can be explicitly stated that digital communication via social media has
brought about several cultural changes across the world. The ease of reaching out to the loved

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and dear ones staying at great distances has become easier. At the same time, excessive and
insecure use of social media has torn apart real-life relations and has made human beings
vulnerable to a lot many threats and risks, for example, privacy concerns and potential
exploitation. A guided, balanced and secure approach can help address the vows and add to the
ease of reaping benefits from this technology.

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Bibliography
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