BUS111 Foundations: A Problem Analysis of Social Media's Impact

This report provides a comprehensive problem analysis of the impacts of social media on individuals and society. It begins by outlining the present situation, highlighting both the positive aspects, such as enhanced connectivity and marketing opportunities, and the negative aspects, including cyberbu...Read More

Running head: Foundation of Academic Success
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INTRODUCTION:
Social media plays an integral role in developing bonds between individuals and brings
people closer to each other. A decade ago, it was difficult to find long lost friends or people that
one once knew even with the presence of the web. Most people lost touch with one another once
they moved away. However, with social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter it has
become easier for people to connect with one another and reconnect after being apart for a very
long time. It also provides a window to the lives of friends who are far away, as they share the
major events of their lives with friends on facebook. Individuals to develop, grow, interact and
get a sense of fulfillment, nurture true and genuine relationships and keep in touch with each
other use social media (Curran, Fenton & Freedman, 2016).
Present Situation: Social media has a positive effect on communication and fosters a
connection between people. Social networking sites aid in advertising and marketing of products.
Companies tend to communicate with their customers with the help of social media. Studies have
revealed that 19% of human resources managers make their decisions on hiring a prospective
candidate based on the information that is acquired from social media platforms (Gerbaudo
2018). Social media also helps to disseminate information and has an influence on politics.
Studies have revealed that majority of the people avail their news from social media. Social
media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn enables one to garner and access
information with the click of a button. Individuals use the platform of social media in order to
support and garner support for a cause they feel strongly about. People post on social media to
share integral information. They also take recourse to social media to build an image of them and
show others who they are as individuals and what they stand for. People also use social media in
order to participate and to feel a sense of being involved with events happening around the

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world(Curran, Fenton & Freedman, 2016). Cyber bullying is prevalent in current times with
teenagers often using the platform of social media to spread rumours about vulnerable
youngsters and sharing videos with the aim of blackmailing others and maligning their
reputation. The term “friend” on social media has become a generic term. Friendships on social
media more often than not lack the depth of intimacy that pervades conventional friendships
wherein people actually know each other and interact and meet each other in person (Gerbaudo
2018).
Problem: Social media contributes to cyber bullying and trolling. Lack of privacy on
social media is another concern. Identity theft, personal attacks, stalking and misuse of personal
information are some of the pitfalls of social media and are examples of threats that are faced by
some individuals in present times (Curran, Fenton & Freedman, 2016). Thus, individuals should
be careful of what they share on social networking sites. Social media also has a detrimental
effect on human relationships. People are so busy connecting on social networking sites that they
fail to connect in person and develop meaningful relationships. The detrimental effects of social
media include igniting a sense of jealousy, the perennial need of approval, and fear among a
plethora of other emotions (Curran, Fenton & Freedman, 2016). Social media is also extremely
addictive with people constantly browsing on social media seeking distraction. Most youngsters
who use social media sites very frequently tend to link their self-worth to their physical
appearance, which is detrimental in nature. Self-comparison is a habit that is self-destructive in
nature, which leads to depression. Social media can also make one feel lonely, as they feel
excluded from what is happening in their friend’s lives. Social media at times separates people.
Studies conducted in 2016 have revealed that teenagers who spend a little over two hours on

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social networking sites display psychological distress and feel that they are missing a plethora of
things while their friends are having a good time (Curran, Fenton & Freedman, 2016)
Possible Solutions: Curtailing the time spent on social media sites is a possible solution.
Educating youngsters on the detrimental effects of social media in terms of it being addictive and
a contributor to cyber bullying is imperative and is another solution (Gerbaudo 2018).
Proposal: It is important to ensure that social media does not take over the lives of
youngsters. Youngsters should spend less time on social media as it can be time consuming and
addictive. Individuals should refrain from being abusive and posting abusive comments on social
networking sites (Gerbaudo 2018). People should stop sending unethical videos on social media
sites and applications. Social media should not influence a person negatively.
CONCLUSION: Social media leads to enhanced connectivity. It is used as a voice to
reason and bring awareness on social issues. It helps in getting help from friends. It is used as a
marketing tool. Social media truly help us to connect and communicate more effectively.

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REFERENCES:
Curran, J., Fenton, N. and Freedman, D., 2016. Misunderstanding the internet. Routledge.
Gerbaudo, P., 2018. Tweets and the streets: Social media and contemporary activism. Pluto
Press.