Social Media's Advantages, Disadvantages, and Business Applications

This assignment explores the multifaceted impact of social media, delving into its advantages and disadvantages in the context of information access, business applications, and societal norms. The student examines the convenience and multitasking capabilities facilitated by easily obtainable information, while also addressing the risks associated with the dissemination of confidential or unreliable data. The assignment further analyzes how social media can enhance brand awareness and customer relationships, and also discusses the potential for limited audience reach and reputational damage. The student reflects on how understanding these dynamics can inform business strategies and the responsible use of social media platforms. Finally, the assignment evaluates the reliability and accountability of information shared on social media, emphasizing the importance of verifying sources and avoiding outdated or misleading content. The student provides a comprehensive analysis supported by relevant academic sources.

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Students Name
Institutional Affiliation

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Question One.
There are various advantages of easily obtainable information. To begin with, we
have convenience. People love accessing what they need easily without much struggle regardless
of place or time (Graham & Dutton, 2019). For instance, it may be wonderful and convenient for
people to listen to the latest music on the hit charts, keep up with discussions with friends at any
time on Facebook, as well as capture the most interesting pictures or clips on Instagram.
Secondly, we have multitasking. Easily obtainable information allows people to do other things
concurrently without having to miss on important tasks. For instance, one can access specific set
of news on Facebook as well as send pictures to friends on Snapchat at the same time.
On the disadvantages, easily obtainable information can raise an issue when
confidential, sensitive, or critical data is made available to unauthorized parties. For instance,
when medical records are posted on Facebook, unauthorized parties can use records for the
wrong purposes hence harming the patient. Secondly, such information defies the social norm of
distributing or circulating information through the assigned means or channels in the proper way
(Feather, 2013). For instance, information such as the loss of loved ones should not be made
available to every reader on Facebook, Instagram or snapchat but only family members.
Question Two.
Social media has various advantages. To begin with, social media increases the brand
awareness of a business. For instance, Facebook’s large social media network may be useful in
increasing aa business’s online presence hence gaining exposure to potential clients (Goyal,
2016). Secondly, social media strengthens the relationship between potential customers and

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businesses. For instance, Instagram has a more engaged audience than other platforms and this
may highly increase engagement with brands.
On the disadvantages, social media may fail to reach specific audiences. For instance,
Snapchat users are averaged to be under 34 years and about 45% of the total users are between
the age bracket of 18 to 24 years (Procek, 2019). This means only around 11% of digital
platform users are reached. Secondly, social media can be used by specific parties to tarnish the
reputation of a business or person majorly on untrue allegations. For instance, on Facebook,
negative claims and allegations may circulate very quickly hence harming the reputation of a
business or person.
Question Three.
To begin with, by knowing the advantages and disadvantages, I might be able to
understand how to increase the awareness of my business. Increasing business awareness
through Instagram or Facebook may help attract potential clients, which translates to increased
revenue. Secondly, I might able to understand how to use the best platform to engage my
audience hence getting the best feedback on my services or products. For instance, through
Instagram, I may be able to get feedback that would help me understand what direction to take in
regards to scaling up the business or changing the structure of the business. Lastly, I might be
able to understand the right information to post on the social media platforms such as Facebook
or Instagram hence avoiding various allegations that may affect the reputation of my career.
Question Four.
To begin with, information may be outdated. Publishing dates for current topics are
usually very important and therefore, outdated information may be misleading (Borah & Xiao,

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2018). For instance, if a particular outdated business-oriented information is posted on Facebook,
a business may end up making changes unknowingly hence leading to losses as well as the
diversion from goals. Secondly, the information may be unaccountable. Particularly on
Facebook, unaccountable information may bring negative consequences to a person if the posted
information is deemed as an allegation. Lastly, the information may be unreliable. For instance,
people love sharing unreliable information on Instagram so as to get the likes, however, the
information may create a negative perception about the person posting the information and
therefore, people may disregard what is posted on the social media platforms (Vergeer, 2018).

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References
Borah, P., & Xiao, X. (2018). The importance of ‘likes’: The interplay of message framing,
source, and social endorsement on credibility perceptions of health information on
Facebook. Journal of health communication, 23(4), 399-411.
Feather, J. (2013). The information society: A study of continuity and change. Facet publishing.
Goyal, S. (2016). Competitive advantages through Facebook. ACADEMICIA: An International
Multidisciplinary Research Journal, 6(4), 222-227.
Graham, M., & Dutton, W. H. (Eds.). (2019). Society and the internet: How networks of
information and communication are changing our lives. Oxford University Press.
Procek, K. (2019). The pros and cons of using Snapchat for business. Retrieved from
https://cooksoncommunications.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-using-snapchat-for-
business/
Vergeer, M. (2018). Incorrect, fake, and false. Journalists' perceived online source credibility and
verification behavior. Observatorio (OBS*), 12(1), 37-52.