Social Media in Our Lives – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #808

Social Media in Our Lives – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #808

Dear Colleagues!  This is Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #808 for Pharma Veterans. Pharma Veterans welcome sharing of knowledge and wisdom by Veterans for the benefit of Community at large. Pharma Veterans Blog is published by Asrar Qureshi on  WordPress, the top blog site. Please email to asrar@asrarqureshi.com for publishing your contributions here.

Photo Credit: August de Richelieu

Photo Credit: Andrea Piacquadio

Photo Credit: Ketut Subiyanto

Photo Credit: Lisa Fotios

In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives, leaving a visible and invisible impact on individuals and society as a whole. It has transformed the way we connect, communicate, and consume information. While social media offers numerous advantages such as enhanced connectivity and access to information, it also poses challenges such as privacy concerns and negative impacts on mental health.

Social Media may be categorized in four broad categories.

1. Social Networks – such as Facebook and Twitter. People can communicate with families, friends, and strangers to share social activities, pictures, thoughts, feelings, etc.

2. Media Sharing Networks – such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. People share photographs, videos, and other media with public at large.

3. Discussion Forums – such as Reddit, where people may ask questions, seek advice, give advice, and express their views to start some discussion.

4. Consumer Reviews Platforms – such as TripAdvisor, where people typically post their experiences about places to stay, travel, eat etc.

Over time, the lines between these categories have been blurring because various sites have been adding features. One example is Reels by Facebook which is just an alternative to TikTok.

Let us look at some data to see the extent of social media in our lives.

Social Media Demographics Snapshot

60% population – 4.80 billion people using social media in some form. 150 million new users are joining every month, which translates into 4.7 new users every second. 

• Facebook – monthly active users, 2.963 billion; largest age group, 25-34 years (30%); females 44%, males 56% - average time spent per day, 30 minutes.

• YouTube – monthly active users 2.1 billion; largest age group 15-35 years (highest reach); females 51%, males 49%; average time spent per day, 46 minutes.

• Instagram – monthly active users, 1.35 billion; largest age group, 18-24 years (31%); females 48.2%, males 51.8% - average time spent per day, 30 minutes.

• TikTok – monthly active users, +1 billion; largest age group, 18-24 years (21%); females 54%, males 46% - average time spent per day, 46 minutes.

• LinkedIn – number of members, 930 million; largest age group, 30-39 years (31%); females 43%, males 57% - 63% members access LinkedIn weekly, 22% daily.

• Snapchat – monthly active users, 750 million; largest age group, 18-24 years (34%); females 51%, males 48% - average time spent per day, 31 minutes. Snapchat is the most enjoyed place for Gen Z to share real live moments.

• Twitter – daily active users, 238 million; largest age group, 18-29 years (42%); females 34%, males 62% - average time spent per day, 35 minutes.

Social media is here to stay no matter what anyone thinks about it. Objectively speaking, it has brought several benefits and it has created several issues. 

Key Benefits of Social Media

Communication – Social media platforms have revolutionized communication, allowing individuals to connect with friends, family, and acquaintances across the globe. It enables real-time interaction, fostering connections that were once limited by geographical boundaries. Social media has become a powerful tool for maintaining relationships and reconnecting with long-lost contacts. Social media has democratized information sharing, enabling individuals to share news, opinions, and perspectives on various topics. It serves as a platform for spreading awareness about social issues, raising funds for causes, and mobilizing communities for positive change. Social media played a significant role in movements such as #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo.

Business – Social media has opened doors for businesses to reach a wider audience, promote their products or services, and engage with customers. It provides a cost-effective and targeted marketing platform, allowing businesses to build brand awareness, drive website traffic, and generate leads. Social media influencers have emerged as key players in brand promotion, reaching millions of followers.

Knowledge – Social media platforms serve as virtual communities where individuals can share knowledge, expertise, and experiences. It has facilitated self-learning through tutorials, webinars, and online courses. Social media has empowered individuals to acquire new skills, explore hobbies, and stay updated on industry trends.

Issues Associated with Social Media

Privacy – Social media platforms collect and store vast amounts of personal data, raising concerns about privacy and data security. Users' personal information can be exploited or misused by third parties for targeted advertising, identity theft, or other malicious purposes. Maintaining privacy and understanding the implications of sharing personal information online has become a significant challenge.

Online Harassment – Social media platforms have unfortunately become breeding grounds for cyberbullying and online harassment. Anonymity and the ease of communication enables individuals to engage in harmful behavior, causing emotional distress and psychological harm to victims. The anonymity factor can also lead to the spread of hate speech, misinformation, and the amplification of harmful ideologies.

Addiction – Social media has the potential to become addictive, with individuals constantly seeking validation through likes, comments, and shares. This addiction can lead to excessive screen time, reduced productivity, and negatively impact mental well-being. The constant need for validation can create feelings of inadequacy and contribute to social comparison and self-esteem issues.

Algorithms - Social media algorithms personalize content based on users' preferences, creating filter bubbles and echo chambers. This leads to the reinforcement of existing beliefs and the limited exposure to diverse perspectives. This phenomenon can contribute to polarization, intolerance, and the spread of misinformation as individuals are less likely to encounter alternative viewpoints.

Sum Up

Social media has undeniably captured our lives, both visibly and invisibly. Its benefits in terms of connectivity, information sharing, business opportunities, and knowledge dissemination are significant. However, social media also brings forth challenges such as privacy concerns, cyberbullying, addiction, and the amplification of echo chambers.

 As users, it is essential to strike a balance, be aware of the potential problems, and use social media responsibly. Moreover, it is crucial for social media platforms and society at large to address these challenges by implementing stronger privacy measures, promoting digital well-being, and fostering a culture of respectful online communication.

Concluded.

Disclaimer: Most pictures in these blogs are taken from Google Images and Pexels. Credit is given where known; some do not show copyright ownership. However, if a claim is lodged at any stage, we shall either mention the ownership clearly, or remove the picture with suitable regrets.

Reference:

https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-social-media?stcr=73DD730599EF4B66A360CFAD0986A2B3&cid=other-eml-alt-mip-mck&hlkid=ea40d26b38f248e7906bd89d4ea24987&hctky=2208791&hdpid=86ea9294-680b-49f9-8280-d19412ed3cb4 

Global Social Media Statistics — DataReportal – Global Digital Insights

Social Media Demographics to Inform Your 2023 Strategy | Sprout Social