How Social Media Has Changed the Way We Communicate

Generation Z is the first-ever generation to grow up using social media platforms. The idea itself is only as old as 1997, when the platform ‘Six Degrees’ was launched. It was a simple design that wanted to foster relationships and facilitate communications among people across different countries. 

Sadly, it failed to attract a large user base at the time, which is why it was shut down in 2001. However, it laid the groundwork for successful popular platforms like MySpace, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. 

As of early 2024, nearly 239 million Americans are across various social media platforms. This would total around 70.1% of the population. So, are all users communicating with each other in an evolved way? 

This article will explore how social media technology has changed the way we communicate - highlighting the benefits, the drawbacks, and the challenges. 

Connections and Reconnections 

The primary purpose of inventing social media was to enable friends and family to connect digitally. This was super convenient, especially for those living far away from their loved ones. 

Through a simple text, call, or even video call, social media made it possible to stay in touch. Besides connecting with loved ones, these platforms made it possible to make new friends. 

Though caution was necessary, people could get to know new faces in their local or regional areas. Some even connected thousands of miles across, becoming cherished pen pals or real-life friends later. This was revolutionary, to say the least. 

There have even been cases where friends who lost contact reconnected through social media years later. In some cases, it was a deliberate search that led them to each other. In others, a mere coincidence was enough (or, should we say, algorithmic power?). 

Massive Information and Quick Conversations 

While friend lists or following options can be kept public or private, it became possible to share large-scale information. It is expected that a shocking 147 ZB of data will be generated by internet users as 2024 ends. 

Such sheer volume comprises educational posts, funny videos, memes, comments, and so on. When users find something amusing, they tend to repost it to their social circle. There is no telling of how many times a single post is reposted within the same circle. 

Apart from huge volumes of data, social media facilitates easy and quick conversations. Users simply need to drop a text, which could take seconds to reach the other end despite the distance. 

Some don't even need to go as far. There are numerous emoticons, stickers, GIFs, and whatnot that convey a message in a lighthearted manner. The world had never before experienced small talk on such a large scale. 

Bridging the Gap Between Brands and Customers 

In addition to bringing individuals closer together, social media has bridged the gap between businesses and customers. Earlier, brands had to maintain some formal distance from their customers. 

With the advent of social platforms, it has become possible for brands to engage with their target audience on a personal level. Customers can directly interact with a business using social media hashtags, comments, reposts, and more. 

This has allowed brands to offer various new incentives to increase outreach. An example would be sharing reviews through tagged posts. Even influencers can share collaborative posts, which increases credibility and bridges the communication gap that existed earlier. 

The Flip Side of This Powerful Communication Medium 

We understand how social media platforms have become a powerful communication medium in the modern era. However, there is a flip side that also needs to be discussed. Here are the possible dangers associated with social media. 

Sedentary Behaviors

The modern lifestyle is often referred to as one that is sedentary or inactive. Though the number of hours one spends seated in a day may vary among individuals, it may reach as high as nine-and-a-half hours in some cases. This is dangerous as it has been found that prolonged inactivity can shorten one’s life. 

Now, most of us are compelled to practice this lifestyle to some extent due to a desk job. Social media platforms only complicate this issue further. Screen time encourages us to remain glued to our seats for longer periods. This hurts physiological processes like circulation, immunity, and muscle development. 

Statista found that, on average, Americans spend nearly 2 hours and 16 minutes across different social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. When adults find it so difficult to resist the urge to scroll, one can only imagine how sedentary screen time would make children and teenagers. 

Declining Mental Health 

A major drawback of social media, one that has become apparent over time, is declining mental health. The risk is highest among the youth. 

Studies have found that those who spend over three hours on social media platforms are especially vulnerable to mental health issues. These include anxiety, depression, social comparison, and body image issues. 

Among all platforms, one that has been most severely criticized is Instagram. The platform’s algorithms are said to be designed in such a manner that users stay hooked to their feeds. Parents of teens who have suffered harm have filed Instagram lawsuits against the app’s developer. 

According to TruLaw, these lawsuits particularly target the addictive features of the platform, alleging that they harm youngsters’ mental health. Several remedies are being sought, including injunctive relief and substantial civil penalties. A similar situation is unfolding with other platforms, such as Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat.

Cyberbullying

Another danger of social media is the possibility of cyberbullying. Though people of all ages are vulnerable to this, teenagers are the most at risk of becoming prey. Cyberbullying may involve mean or rude online comments, reposts, or sharing pictures and videos designed to embarrass someone. 

Given the proliferation of social media platforms, this practice has become increasingly common. Studies have found that around 18% of internet users have experienced cyberbullying in some form. The most vulnerable group is teenage girls, followed by teen boys. One thing that is usually common among those who experience being bullied online is social media addiction. 

This is undoubtedly a growing problem that is engulfing teens and adults alike. As per the Pew Research Center, Facebook and YouTube are among the most used platforms, closely followed by Instagram. Since 2021, even TikTok’s fan base has significantly increased. As folks use such platforms heavily, the chances of cyberbullying also rise. 

A Lack of Authentic Relationships 

Social media was originally developed to enhance social connections. Has it done that? In a sense, yes, because it has enabled people across geographical boundaries to interact with each other. Many have reconnected with their long-lost friendships or love. 

There is a dark side to this because online communication can deceive people into thinking they have an authentic connection. However, it is often superficial, with no emotional depth or non-verbal cues. 

Some people may become so accustomed to living through their online curated personas that they hesitate to have quality face-to-face communication. In the end, what’s happening is that people may have a huge friend list or following, but seldom are those connections authentic. 

Misleading Information 

Given the points we have discussed under the flip side of social media, it can be tempting to deduce that these platforms are ideal only for business purposes. Even then, there is the risk of misleading information being circulated. 

Research has revealed that fake news travels 10x faster across social media platforms than genuine reporting. This can make it extremely challenging for companies to manage their online reputation. Then, there is the problem of trolls pretending to be real clients. 

They do not connect with the business page to learn about or purchase a product. All they do online is post negative comments just to create outrage. Dealing with them, though mandatory, can be difficult at times. 

Has social media changed the way we communicate? Absolutely, as people prior to its advent could not experience the speed, accessibility, and transparency of interactions that we have today. Today, there is no need to have a personal talk to know what is going on in someone’s life. 

All that is needed is picking up the phone and checking one another’s social media feeds. The same goes for marketing, as customers can familiarize themselves with brands within a few clicks. Is the impact of such a technology good or bad?

That’s complicated because there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It all boils down to how social media is used. 

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