The good and the bad of social networks
Internet and social networks have changed the way we relate both positively and negatively. One of the most important and basic human needs to have well-being is to be able to have contact with another person, to relate to others and in this way to feel that we belong to a group.
What we have to be very clear about is that the way we communicate has changed significantly. We could say that the two most outstanding characteristics in the current social interaction are immediacy and accessibility. Due to Internet and instant messaging applications we have gained a very valuable element for our day to day, time. Thanks to the Internet, communication has become easy, simple and direct.
Next, let's see the main positive and negative points generated by social networks in how we relate to others:
- Related article: "The psychology behind social networks: the unwritten code of behavior"
Advantages and disadvantages of social networks
The arrival of the Internet in our lives has meant a brutal change in many everyday facets. In how we buy, when studying, in our leisure, in how we inform ourselves, but also in the way we relate to others.
Even today the interrelations between people are still more valued in their face-to-face, online relationships are affecting the links we establish with other people let's see the good and the bad that this type of relationship offers.
On the positive
These are the main advantages of social networks.
1. Establish new relationships
Often shame and shyness, lack of time, or even the laziness that gives the initial effort involved in starting a new social relationship, are some of the reasons that can lead us to track and find other people related by social networks. You can get an excellent connection with another person, and the usual will be this virtual relationship to become a face-to-face relationship , go from 2.0 to 1.0.
- Maybe you're interested: "Relationships at a distance: 10 difficult problems"
2. Maintain contact with existing relationships
Today thanks to social networks we can be aware of what friends, family and acquaintances do. It is a simple and easy way to learn from others and share our moments with others through social networks.
3. Rediscover friendships
Through the search engines that facilitate social networks we can recover some old friendships that one day could be lost along the way of life .
We would be in a position to say then that today the tools that the Internet offers us (social networks, email, chats and all applications) have managed to encourage and consolidate the interrelations of people:
- Those that already existed.
- Those that have just started.
- The future ones
In the negative
Among the disadvantages of social networks We found the following.
1. It can get to isolate us
The paradox is that social networks allow us to communicate at any time of the day with anyone, even if it is a long way from us, but on the other hand they can also isolate us from the person next to us. It brings you closer to the one who is far away, and distances you from the one who is near .
That is why we do not recommend using social networks in situations where we should be interacting with the people next to us.
2. They deceive us
We have to keep in mind that you can find profiles of people who are fake and / or who lie.
3. It facilitates the cowardice of bad people
Punctually you can find that there are anonymous profiles where bad people hide to insult, criticize, belittle and humiliate. These toxic people express and spread their envy and frustrations. They do not empathize, ignoring the damage they can do . Social networks are true that can facilitate this type of behavior because they feel protected, something that would not do in the face to face.
4. It facilitates an insane self-esteem
As we know in psychology on the subject of self-esteem, the most vulnerable are adolescents, social networks can encourage the misconception that based on the number of followers and "I like" I must feel more or less valued.
5. Impulsivity
They promote having too much impulsivity and therefore little patience in the face of uncertainty.
6. Lack of prudence
You can get to say more easily what you would not do in person. Further, there is the disadvantage of the lack of nuances of non-verbal language .
7. They are addictive
Due to their attractiveness and speed, they can cause addiction.
8. They facilitate bullying and harassment
Toxic, aggressive, envious people, bad people in short thanks to anonymity can harass and hurt more easily .
conclusion
As we have seen throughout this article, not everything is bad. The positive part of the new technologies would be how can they help us solve problems and find people , for example.
I recommend therefore that you do not avoid social networks, because you could stop benefiting from the feedback and support you receive when sharing online publications. On the other hand, remember, if you're a father or mother, according to the American Psychological Association, when parents behave as if they fear the Internet and social networks, they can convey to children the message that the world is a place they should fear.
