The disadvantages of Social Media outweigh any benefits

Social Media started as a platform where people can connect with each other and
share their feelings and connect with each other when there is a constraint of
space and time. Many social media sites like Facebook, You Tube, Twitter and
Instagram are some of the popular sites which people use to share their ideas,
pictures and their career interests. Of late, people have started to discover the
negative influences of these sites which were intended to provide an outlet of
one’s expressions and feelings.
The biggest drawback that these sites face is the lack of security of personal data.
In a recent incident, a researcher in Cambridge Analytica (CA), was able to access
details of millions of Facebook users. It was used to influence the voters in US
elections. This incident has opened a debate about the security level that these
websites are employing and the fear that people have that their personal details
are being compromised putting their lives at risk. ‘Privacy has become such a big
issue when using social media. 36% of teenagers aged 12-17 have friends on
Facebook that they don’t know or have never met.’(Madden,M; Lenhart,A;
Cortesi,S; Gasser,U; Duggan,M; Smith,A &Beaton,M 2013). Cyber bullying is one of
the most dangerous effects of Social Media. Young children are being sent
threatening and intimidating messages on Social sites which have devastating
effect on their tender minds. ‘Using Social media regularly has been proven to
cause many serious negative health affects; many teenagers start to form
“Facebook Depression” this is caused by cyber bullying and being harassed online’.
(O’Keefee &Pearson,2011). Many of the young children have reported that they
have been subjected to cyber bullying on sites like Facebook and Instagram. It is
also the result of lack of interaction among people which has resulted in isolation
and loneliness.
Another disadvantage is its effect on the health of a person. People spend long
hours on Social Sites making them lazy and prone to diseases. The incidence of
Lifestyle diseases is increasing because of excessive usage of these platforms and
lack of physical activity. It is posing such a great problem that even young children
are falling a prey to it. It is always said that virtual world cannot replace the real
world.
These sites are also being used to spread hatred. People are posting things on
these sites which pollute the minds of youth and radicalize their behavior. It was
used by ISIS for recruiting innocent youth showing bloodshed and brainwashing
them. Fake videos showing people being tortured were shown to draw people to
their view of things.
Although the Social sites have revolutionized the communication and have a great
potential for educating people, but the effects that are visible confirm the view
that the disadvantages are more harmful as compared to the advantages.

References:
1. O’Keefee, G & Pearson, K 2011, ‘The Impact of Social Media on Children,
Adolescents, and Families’ Journal of PEDIATRICS, vol. 127, no. 4, pp. 800-
804
2. Madden, M, Lenhart, A, Cortesi, S, Gasser, U, Duggan, M, Smith, A, &
Beaton, M 2013, Teens, social media and privacy