social media responsibility essay

The Media And Its Responsibilities

The role of the media is to inform the public and hold those in power accountable. But what happens when the media fails to do its job?

There have been many instances where the media has failed to live up to its responsibilities. One recent example is the 2016 presidential election. Many people believe that the media did not do enough to vet candidates and allowed fake news to proliferate. As a result, democracy was undermined and trust in the media eroded.

The media must take responsibility for its actions and ensure that it is fulfilling its role in society. only then can it hope to regain the trust of the people.

In today’s world, ‘The Social Responsibility of the Media in Today’s Context.’ The job and duty of the media is to preserve truth, honesty, and social responsibility. My aim with this essay is to present a definition of social responsibility as well as numerous case studies demonstrating how it may be misused in impractical journalism techniques. By gaining a deeper understanding of what social responsibility means in the context of media, one may better craft legislation that is effective while also having the potential to enhance the function of media in society.

The paper starts with a brief introduction to the concept of social responsibility. It then looks at how different media outlets have approached social responsibility in their reporting. The paper concludes with some thoughts on the future of social responsibility in the media.

The first question that must be answered is, what is social responsibility? Social responsibility has been defined as “the duty of an individual or organization to act in a way that promotes the welfare of society as a whole”. In other words, it is the ethical obligation of individuals and organizations to consider the impact of their actions on others, and to act in a way that is beneficial to society.

There are many different ways in which media outlets can be socially responsible in their reporting. One way is by ensuring that the information they report is accurate and trustworthy. This can be done by fact-checking their sources, and being transparent about any errors that are made.

Another way is by considering the potential impact of their reporting on vulnerable groups, and taking steps to avoid causing harm. For example, media outlets may choose to avoid publishing images or stories that could potentially trigger negative mental health reactions in people who are struggling with anxiety or depression.

Some media outlets have been criticized for not living up to their social responsibility obligations. One high-profile example is the British tabloid newspaper The Sun, which was accused of sensationalizing a story about a missing child in order to sell more copies. The Sun was also criticized for publishing an offensive article about the Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 people were killed.

Despite the criticisms, many media outlets are committed to social responsibility and continue to work hard to ensure that their reporting is fair, accurate, and respectful of people’s rights and dignity. As the world becomes increasingly connected, it is important that media outlets uphold these standards in order to maintain public trust.

Looking to the future, it is clear that social responsibility will continue to be an important consideration for media outlets around the world. With new technologies emerging all the time, there will always be new ways for media outlets to interact with their audiences. It is up to each individual outlet to decide how they want to use these technologies, and whether they want to use them in a way that is socially responsible.

As the world changes, so too will the concept of social responsibility. What is considered to be socially responsible behaviour today may not be seen as such in the future. It is important for media outlets to stay up-to-date with changing social norms and expectations, and to adjust their reporting accordingly.

The media plays a vital role in society and it is important that it continues to act responsibly. By doing so, it can help to ensure that trust in the media remains high, and that people continue to value its role in holding power to account and informing the public.

The present paper strives to suggest how the media should go beyond short-term objectives while covering violence, conflict, and bloodshed in order to connect communities, foster unity, and stimulate development and peace. Citizens, as well as media practitioners, must aim to make Indian media more real, impartial, truthful, dispassionate, and last but not least socially responsible. The news media is straying from its own ethical standards.

The need of the hour is to make media accountable and responsible. The media reportings have a great impact on individuals and communities. While reporting, the media should not fall prey to sensationalism. The stories should be told keeping in mind the sensitivity of the people who would be reading or watching it. The reports should also help in bringing about a change for the betterment of society.

The media has a great responsibility toward society. It should work towards creating awareness and educating people about various issues affecting them. It should also play a role in promoting harmony and understanding among different sections of society. The media should strive to build a strong and cohesive society where everyone feels secure and empowered.

It has evolved into a money-making industry that is unwilling to bear its social responsibilities these days. It’s time for society to take a stand, and we’re all here today to talk, debate, and reach an agreement. We may not be able to fix everything everyone agrees with, but it will be a good start in improving the media’s sensitivity to people’s demands and duties related to media.

The media has a great responsibility to uphold and protect the society it sources its information from. It is a two-way street the media needs the society for news and content, while the society relies on the media to be informed about what is happening in the world. This relationship is essential for a healthy democracy, as an informed citizenry is necessary for making decisions about the country and participating in elections.

The problem arises when the media becomes more concerned with making money than with fulfilling its social responsibilities. This can happen in a number of ways. For example, clickbait headlines and fake news are designed to get people to click on links and share articles, regardless of whether or not the information is accurate. This creates a problem for the society, as people are not getting accurate information from the media sources they trust.

Another way that the media can fail in its social responsibilities is by pandering to special interests instead of reporting on stories that are in the public interest. For example, if a news organization is owned by a corporation, that corporation may pressure the news organization to downplay or ignore stories that cast it in a negative light. This kind of censorship is harmful to democracy, as it means that people are not getting the full story about what is happening in their world.

The solution to this problem is for the media to be more transparent about its finances and ownership, and to make sure that it is reporting stories in an unbiased way. The media also needs to be more responsive to the needs of the society, and to make sure that it is fulfilling its social responsibilities. Only then can we hope to have a healthy democracy.

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Social Media Essay: A Full Guide

In an era where a single tweet can spark a global conversation and an Instagram post can redefine trends, it's fascinating to note that the average person spends approximately 2 hours and 31 minutes per day on social media platforms. That's more than 900 hours a year devoted to scrolling, liking, and sharing in the vast digital landscape. As we find ourselves deeply intertwined in the fabric of online communities, the significance of understanding and articulating the dynamics of social media through the written word, particularly in an essay on social media, becomes increasingly apparent. So, why embark on the journey of crafting an essay on this ubiquitous aspect of modern life? Join us as we unravel the layers of social media's impact, explore its nuances, and discover the art of conveying these insights through the written form.

Short Description

In this article, we'll explore how to write an essay on social media and the purpose behind these narratives while also delving into a myriad of engaging topics. From the heartbeat of online connections to the rhythm of effective storytelling, we'll guide you organically through the process, sharing insights on structure, approach, and the creative essence that makes each essay unique. And if you're seeking assistance, pondering - ' I wish I could find someone to write my essay ,' we'll also furnish example essays to empower you to tackle such tasks independently.

Why Write a Social Media Essay

In a world buzzing with hashtags, filters, and the constant hum of notifications, the idea of sitting down to craft an essay about social media might seem as out of place as a cassette tape in a streaming era. Yet, there's something oddly therapeutic, almost rebellious, about pausing in the midst of 280-character wisdom to delve deeper into the why behind our digital existence.

So, what is social media essay, and what's the purpose of writing it? Well, it's more than just an exercise in intellectual curiosity. It's a personal journey, a reflective pause in the ceaseless scroll. While writing the essay, we gain the power to articulate the intangible, to breathe life into the pixels that dance across our screens. It's an opportunity to make sense of the chaos, to find meaning in the memes, and perhaps, in the process, to uncover a bit more about ourselves in this digital wilderness.

Let's face it - our online lives are a fast-paced carousel of memes, viral challenges, and carefully curated selfies. So, why bother wrestling with words and paragraphs in a world where brevity is king? The answer lies in the art of unraveling the digital tapestry that envelops us.

There's a magic in articulating the dance between the profound and the mundane that occurs within the confines of our screens. An essay becomes a lens, focusing our attention on the subtleties of social media dynamics – the inside jokes that become global phenomena, the ripple effect of a well-timed retweet, and the silent conversations unfolding in the comment sections.

6 Key Tips for Crafting a Social Media Essay

Now that we've set sail into the realm of essays on the digital landscape, it's only fair to equip ourselves with a few trusty tools for the journey. Think of these tips as your compass, helping you navigate the sometimes choppy, often unpredictable waters of crafting an essay on social media.

• Embrace Your Authentic Voice: Just like your favorite Instagram filter can't hide the real you, your essay should reflect your genuine thoughts and feelings. Don't be afraid to let your unique voice shine through – whether it's witty, contemplative, or a delightful blend of both.
• Dive into the Details: Social media isn't just about the grand gestures; it's the small, often unnoticed details that weave the most compelling narratives. Explore the minutiae of your online experiences – the peculiar hashtags, the quirky bios, and the unexpected connections that leave a lasting imprint.
• Craft Your Hashtag Haiku: Much like poetry, brevity can be your ally in social media essays. Think of hashtags as haikus – succinct, impactful, and capable of conveying a universe of meaning in just a few characters. Choose them wisely.
• Engage with the Comments Section: The comments section is the lively pub where digital conversations unfold. Dive in, clink glasses, and engage with the diverse perspectives swirling around. It's in these interactions that the real magic happens – where ideas collide, evolve, and sometimes, transform.
• Navigate the Memescape: Memes are the folklore of the digital age, carrying tales of humor, irony, and cultural resonance. Don't shy away from exploring the memescape in your essay. Unravel the layers, decipher the symbolism, and appreciate the humor that often holds up a mirror to society.
• Be Mindful of the Clickbait Pitfalls: While clickbait might be the flashy neon sign on the digital highway, it's essential to tread carefully. Ensure your essay isn't just a sensational headline but a thoughtful exploration that goes beyond the surface.

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Social Media Essay Structure

In the age of viral tweets and digital conversations, tackling the essay format is more than just stringing words together—it's about creating a roadmap. As we navigate this landscape of likes and retweets, understanding the structural foundations becomes key. So, let's cut through the noise and explore the practical aspects of how to write a social media essay that mirrors the rhythm of our online experiences.

Form an Outline

Now that we've acknowledged the importance of structure in your essay, the next step is to build a solid roadmap. Think of it like planning a road trip; you wouldn't hit the highway without a map or GPS, right? Similarly, creating an outline for your essay gives you a clear direction and ensures your thoughts flow smoothly.

So, whether you decide to order an essay online or tackle it yourself, here's a simple way to go about it:

Introduction (Where You Start):

• Briefly introduce the topic.
• State your social media essay thesis or main idea.
• Example: 'Let's begin by introducing the impact of social media on modern communication, focusing on its role in shaping opinions and fostering connections.'

Body Paragraphs (The Journey):

• Each paragraph should cover a specific social media essay argument and point.
• Use examples or evidence to support your ideas.
• Example: 'The first aspect we'll explore is how social media amplifies voices. For instance, hashtags like #ClimateAction mobilize a global audience around environmental issues.'

Transitions (Smooth Turns):

• Guide your readers from one point to the next.
• Ensure a logical flow between paragraphs.
• Example: 'Having discussed the amplification of voices, let's now shift our focus to the influence of social media in spreading information.'

Counter Arguments (Addressing Detours):

• Acknowledge different perspectives.
• Counter Arguments with evidence or reasoning.
• Example: 'While social media can be a powerful tool for connectivity, critics argue that it also contributes to the spread of misinformation. Let's explore this counterargument and analyze its validity.'

Conclusion (The Destination):

• Summarize your main points.
• Restate your thesis and leave a lasting impression.
• Example: 'In conclusion, social media serves as both a bridge and a battleground of ideas. Understanding its nuances is crucial in navigating this digital landscape.'

Creating an outline for your essay not only streamlines the writing process but also ensures your readers embark on a clear and organized journey through your insights on social media. If you're exploring more options, you might even want to buy thesis for more convenience.

Make a Social Media Essay Introduction

Begin your introduction by presenting a concise overview of the key theme or topic you're addressing. Clearly state the main purpose or argument of your essay, giving readers a roadmap for what to expect. Integrate social media essay hooks like a relevant statistic, quote, or provocative question to capture attention.

For instance, if your essay is about the impact of social media on personal relationships, you might start by mentioning a statistic on the percentage of couples who met online.

Social Media Essay Body Paragraph

Structure each social media essay body paragraph around a specific aspect of your chosen topic. Start with a clear topic sentence that encapsulates the main idea of the paragraph. Provide concrete examples, data, or case studies to support your points and strengthen your argument. Maintain a logical flow between paragraphs by using effective transitions.

If your essay focuses on the positive effects of social media on business marketing, dedicate a paragraph to showcasing successful campaigns and how they leveraged different platforms.

Social Media Essay Conclusion

In your conclusion, succinctly recap the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. Reinforce your thesis statement and emphasize its broader implications. Rather than introducing new information, use the conclusion to leave a lasting impression on your readers. Consider prompting further thought or suggesting practical applications of your findings.

For instance, if your essay examined the impact of social media on political discourse, conclude by encouraging readers to critically evaluate the information they encounter online and actively engage in constructive conversations.

Proofread and Revise

In the process of writing social media essay, proofreading and revising are indispensable steps that can significantly enhance the overall quality of your work. Begin by meticulously checking for grammatical errors, ensuring that your sentences are clear and concise. Pay attention to the flow of your ideas, confirming that each paragraph seamlessly transitions into the next.

During the proofreading phase, keep an eye out for any inconsistencies in tone or style. This is an opportunity to refine your language and ensure that it aligns with the intended voice of your essay. Look for repetitive phrases or unnecessary words that might detract from the clarity of your message.

As you revise, consider the effectiveness of your hook. Does it still resonate as strongly as you intended? Can it be tweaked to better captivate your audience? A compelling hook sets the tone for your entire essay, so invest time in perfecting this crucial element.

Furthermore, don't hesitate to seek feedback from peers or mentors. Another perspective can provide valuable insights into areas that may need improvement. Fresh eyes often catch nuances that the writer might overlook. Alternatively, you might also explore the option to buy coursework for additional support.

Social Media Essay Topics

In the vast realm of social media, where every like and share contributes to the digital narrative, choosing the right essay topic becomes a crucial compass for exploration. Let's explore thought-provoking topics that not only capture attention but also invite insightful discussions on the intricacies of our interconnected world.

Impact on Society:

• The Role of Social Media in Redefining Friendship and Social Bonds
• How Has TikTok Influenced Global Pop Culture Trends?
• The Impact of Social Media on Political Polarization
• Social Media and Mental Health: Exploring the Connection
• The Evolution of Language on Social Media Platforms
• Examining the Influence of Social Media on Body Image
• Fake News and Its Proliferation on Social Media
• Social Media and the Rise of Influencer Marketing
• The Intersection of Social Media and Dating Apps
• Has Social Media Narrowed or Expanded Cultural Perspectives?
• The Role of Social Media in Fostering Global Communities
• The Influence of Social Media on Consumer Behavior
• Analyzing the Impact of Social Media on News Consumption
• The Rise of 'Cancel Culture' on Social Media Platforms
• Social Media and Its Role in Spreading Disinformation
• The Impact of Social Media on Language and Communication Skills
• Social Media and its Influence on Political Movements
• The Relationship Between Social Media Use and Sleep Patterns
• Social Media and the Accessibility of Educational Resources
• The Cultural Significance of Memes on Social Media

Individual and Identity:

• The Impact of Social Media Addiction on Personal Relationships and Intimacy
• Self-Expression and Authenticity on Social Networking Sites
• Social Media and Its Influence on Teenage Identity Formation
• The Role of Social Media in Shaping Beauty Standards
• Navigating Online Dating and Relationships in the Social Media Age
• The Impact of Social Media on Parenting Styles
• Social Media and Its Influence on Body Positivity Movements
• The Perception of Success: Social Media's Role in Achievement Culture
• Social Media and the Construction of Online Persona vs. Real Self
• Social Media and Its Influence on Lifestyle Choices
• The Role of Social Media in Shaping Career Aspirations
• The Intersection of Mental Health Narratives and Social Media
• The Impact of Social Media on Self-Esteem and Well-Being
• How Social Media Influences Gender Identity and Expression
• Exploring the Concept of Digital Detox in the Social Media Era
• The Role of Social Media in Shaping Cultural Identity
• The Connection Between Social Media and Impulse Buying
• Social Media and Its Influence on Dietary Choices
• Balancing Privacy and Self-Disclosure on Social Media
• The Impact of Social Media on Friendships Over Time

Digital Activism and Advocacy:

• The Effectiveness of Hashtag Movements in Promoting Social Change
• Social Media and Its Role in Amplifying Underrepresented Voices
• The Impact of Social Media on Global Environmental Activism
• Online Activism: The Evolution from Clicktivism to Concrete Action
• The Role of Social Media in Advancing LGBTQ+ Rights
• Social Media and Its Impact on Anti-Racism Movements
• Analyzing the Challenges of Digital Advocacy in Authoritarian Regimes
• Social Media and the Global Fight Against Cyberbullying
• The Intersection of Social Media and Mental Health Advocacy
• Examining the Role of Social Media in Humanitarian Campaigns
• Crowdsourcing for Change: How Social Media Fuels Fundraising
• The Challenges of Digital Activism in the Age of Information Overload
• Social Media and Its Impact on Disability Advocacy
• The Role of Social Media in Combating Gender-Based Violence
• Online Petitions and Their Influence on Policy Change
• Exploring the Intersection of Social Media and Animal Rights Activism
• The Impact of Social Media on Indigenous Rights Advocacy
• Digital Advocacy and Its Role in Healthcare Reform
• Social Media's Influence on Youth Activism
• Navigating Challenges in Allyship on Social Media Platforms

Privacy and Ethics:

• The Implications of Facial Recognition Technology on Social Media
• Social Media Platforms and the Ethics of User Data Collection
• The Role of Social Media in Combating Deepfakes
• Balancing Freedom of Speech and Moderation on Social Media
• Social Media and the Challenges of Regulating Disinformation
• Ethical Considerations in Targeted Advertising on Social Media
• The Impact of Social Media Algorithms on User Behavior
• Social Media and the Right to Privacy: Where to Draw the Line?
• The Influence of Social Media on Political Manipulation and Propaganda
• Data Security Concerns in the Era of Social Media
• The Ethics of Social Media Influencer Marketing
• Social Media and Its Role in Combating Cyberbullying
• The Impact of Social Media on Juror Bias in Legal Cases
• Exploring the Ethics of Incorporating Social Media Usage in Hiring Decisions by Employers
• Social Media and Its Role in Combating Hate Speech
• Balancing Personalization with Privacy in Social Media Websites
• The Influence of Social Media on Public Perceptions of Law Enforcement
• Social Media and the Challenges of Content Moderation
• Addressing Online Harassment: Ethical Considerations for Platforms
• The Responsibility of Social Media Platforms in Protecting User Privacy

Future Trends and Innovations:

• The Future of Social Media: Emerging Platforms and Trends
• The Role of Augmented Reality (AR) in Shaping the Future of Social Media
• Virtual Reality (VR) and Its Potential Impact on Social Media Engagement
• The Rise of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and Social Media
• Social Media and the Evolution of Live Streaming Culture
• The Impact of Voice Search and Voice Assistants on Social Media
• Social Commerce: The Future of E-Commerce Through Social Media
• Exploring the Influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Social Media
• The Role of Blockchain Technology in Enhancing Social Media Security
• Social Media and the Integration of Virtual Influencers
• The Future of Social Media Content: Short-Form vs. Long-Form
• The Influence of User-Generated Content on Future Social Media Trends
• Social Media and the Adoption of 5G Technology
• The Potential of Gamification in Shaping Social Media Engagement
• The Impact of Social Media on the Future of Work and Remote Collaboration
• Exploring the Relationship Between Social Media and Mental Health Apps
• The Influence of User Privacy Concerns on Future Social Media Developments
• Social Media and the Role of Ephemeral Content in Communication
• The Intersection of Social Media and Virtual Events
• Predicting the Next Wave of Social Media Influencer Trends

If these topics piqued your interest, you'll likely find persuasive essay topics equally fascinating! Dive into our article for a variety of options that might just spark your curiosity and inspire your next writing venture.

Social Media Essay Example

Crafting a standout essay isn't just about the words; it's about weaving a narrative that grabs your reader's attention. Before we say our goodbyes, why not take a peek at our sample essays? Our seasoned writers poured their expertise into creating persuasive pieces, offering you insights into both how to write an essay on social media and the kind of polished language that can elevate your own writing.

Wrapping Up

As our college essay service experts conclude this article, we've journeyed through the emotional complexities, societal reflections, and transformative potentials embedded in our digital narratives. An essay on social media is a portal into the intricate dance of our online lives, urging introspection, empathy, and an awareness of diverse stories. Let your essays authentically reflect, sparking conversations that enrich our collective experience in this ever-evolving digital realm.

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With Social Media Influence Comes Social Responsibility

Mha candidate richa rai examines the positive attributes of using social media in a pandemic and the sometimes deadly consequences that come with the digital spread of misinformation..

2020 has brought about an unprecedented and perhaps one of the most tumultuous times the world has faced. Although COVID-19 first appeared in Wuhan, China around October of 2019, it was officially declared a global pandemic by the WHO on March 11, 2020. Following this declaration, the red dots on the interactive world map depicted by the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus resource center seemed to proliferate with each passing day, tipping the grey to the red ratio. Throughout this global crisis, social media has emerged as both a harbinger of vital information and a playground for the rapid spread of dangerous misinformation. 

The Role of Social Responsibility 

Social media has been a powerhouse of disseminating snippets of timely and digestible information. Official social media accounts for WHO, CDC, and several academic institutions including Columbia Public Health have strived to keep the public informed. Globally, celebrities have reached out to their followers and raised funds for front line warriors such as doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients. Even students at Mailman have leveraged social media's reach to set up CovidWears , an e-commerce fundraising platform selling loungewear with 100% of the profits donated to Mount Sinai COVID-19 relief.

When real-life started to resemble "Contagion,” a 2011 Steven Soderberg film depicting the rapid spread of a contagious virus and the disruption of the global economic, social and public health systems, Dr. W. Ian Lipkin , an advisor on the film and the Director of the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) , reunited with the cast and launched " Control the Contagion ", a social media campaign designed to spread facts about COVID-19. Additionally, with the cancellation of live musical performances and Broadway shows, social media emerged as music's best concert hall. In mid- April, artists performed on Instagram and YouTube and used #TogetherAtHome to gather support for stay-at-home measures. Such virtual experiences provided people with positive distractions and a sense of unity.  

Combatting Social Stretch 

On the flip side, the sheer ease of sharing information online has been divisive in propagating misinformation. On March 17th, a peer-review journal published a preliminary study (or an exploratory study), on the anti-malaria drug Chloroquine as a potential treatment for COVID-19. Statements from President Trump and a tweet from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk touted the drug as the definitive cure. (Inverse, 2020). This exaggerated hype of Chloroquine spread with lightning speed despite the lack of concrete scientific data supporting it. Seven days after the spread of partial information on the drug, an elderly couple from Arizona, both in their 60s, self-medicated themselves with chloroquine phosphate. They were "afraid of getting sick," and the man ended up losing his life , demonstrating the poignant and devastating outcomes misinformation can have.

Another unsettling instance happened in Belgium when a general physician stated that 5G networks helped to spread and worsen the virus. It gained traction when a local newspaper reported it and while the paper quickly issued a correction, the misinformation had spiraled out of control, with numerous anti-5G groups mushrooming and garnering thousands of followers on social media. In response, dozens of arsonists set fire to cellular towers across Europe. Similar anti-mask groups have also taken shape on Facebook . 

These occurrences confirm that, akin to the virus, misinformation does not observe national boundaries.

What is being done?

Dr. Tedros Adhanom , the director-general of the World Health Organization, has called the massive amount of data concerning the virus as the "coronavirus infodemic" and the WHO "MythBusters" page has been actively debunking the myriad false information.

Tech companies such as Facebook and Twitter are also taking steps to prevent the spread of misinformation by partnering with government agencies like WHO and CDC, creating dedicated task forces, and tweaking their algorithm to promote credible information. (LiveMint, n.d.)

In India, the government has teamed up with WhatsApp to spread only factual information through its WhatsApp Bot software program called MyGov Corona. And the United Nations initiative "Pause " encourages people to stop and think before sharing COVID-19 related information using the hashtag #takecarebeforeyoushare. However, all these efforts are barely sufficient if we as a community don't actively push the good science.    

A recent study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene states that at least 800 people may have died due to misinformation, clearly making it a public health crisis. We must obtain credible data from reliable sources, engage in active fact-checking and rational debates before broadcasting our voices. With social media influence comes a social response and a responsibility to our fellow citizens' wellbeing. In our Public Health Concepts class, one of my classmates asked our professor, Dr. David Rosenthal , how we could positively contribute to the situation as future public health leaders. He suggested we keep ourselves informed enough to educate others with facts. Being armed with facts and educating those around us will have ripple effects that can squash lies and prevent them from spreading and harming the public.

As public health professionals, we must not only present facts to our peers but also call out the lies and untruths we see on social media. In a time that has everything to do with fear and insecurity, it is pertinent that we dig deeper and investigate the truth while also supporting each other and exhibiting the goodness of human nature. Times like these demand a shared understanding and purpose.  Together, we can put social media to good use by spreading credible, reliable, fact-based information about the public health issues that impact us all.

Richa Rai is a 2021 MHA candidate in the Department of Health Policy and Management . She received her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from DY Patil University in India. 

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The Social Responsibility of Social Media Platforms

Karis stephen.

Scholar weighs options for putting an end to harmful speech on social media platforms.

One in three people globally use social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. These platforms act as breeding grounds for viral cartoon memes and trendy dance choreography, as well as widespread social movements and vibrant displays of activism.

But social media also has a dark side. Disinformation, hate speech, revenge pornography, harassment, terrorism activity, and sex trafficking run rampant on social media sites. Critics claim that social media platforms do not take sufficient action to eliminate the damaging forms of speech that live on their spaces.

In a recent article , Nina Brown of the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University argues that popular social media platforms fail to place safety at the head of their operations, leading to the propagation of harmful speech.

As they currently stand, social networks are self-regulated. Because of private content moderation, most social media platforms employ a combination of algorithmic and human action to determine what kinds of content to eject from their sites.

The wide discretion that platforms possess over content moderation can be dangerous, Brown warns . Social media platforms often put greater weight on generating profits than on protecting users from destructive speech. This is why, Brown explains , greater regulatory oversight is needed to prompt change within the industry.

Brown examines the law’s interaction with social media in the United States, flagging the Supreme Court’s treatment of social media as identical to its treatment of print media. In both cases, the Court gives great deference to the speech protections of the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution . That deference means that the content of online communications remains largely unregulated.

Congress has followed the Supreme Court’s lead and enacted Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act . Section 230 offers internet service providers immunity from liability for content posted by third parties on their platforms. Brown notes that courts apply this liability shield broadly. Section 230 has protected providers from claims pertaining to intentional infliction of emotional distress, terrorism support, and defamation.

Brown explains that social media platform users implicitly rely on the wide protections of Section 230. Without these liability safeguards, the ways in which users interact with these online spaces would be limited, as platforms would constrain users’ ability to comment freely on content or post product reviews.

The Section 230 shield, however, stirs controversy on both ends of the political spectrum. Conservative critics push back against Section 230 for stifling viewpoint neutrality, calling out social platforms for censoring political perspectives. On the other hand, Democratic lawmakers criticize Section 230 for creating a lack of platform accountability when it comes topics such as the spread of falsehoods and child exploitation.

Despite calls for change to Section 230, Brown says that the reform of liability allocation could lead to problems with “de facto” government regulation of speech: The government would be able to “deputize” platforms into creating content-based censorship.

If Congress removed the immunity law, this would encourage online platforms to put content through a rigorous moderation process to minimize risk. According to Brown, that process would force platforms to draw distinctions on speech based on its substance—which could lead to over-blocking, over-censorship, and impermissible government interference on speech.

To determine the best way to reconcile Section 230 with the need for content moderation, Brown plays a game that she calls “regulatory goldilocks.”

Brown assesses the three primary options for regulatory action within the field of social media: self-regulation, government regulation, and sector-structured industry regulation. Given the proven problems with the current self-regulatory model and the First Amendment issues inherent with a government regulation model, Brown shoots down the first two options.

Brown identifies the third option, industry regulation, as the regulatory route that is the “just and right” one to address platforms’ harmful speech problem.

Brown explains that self-regulatory councils would be at the forefront of the industry regulation model. These self-regulatory councils, because of their position as independent bodies, could wield the authority to make industry standards and enforce their own regulations.

Turning to other industry self-regulatory councils as examples, Brown emphasizes the success of the Advertising Self-Regulatory Council (ASRC). The advertising industry developed the ASRC in the height of the public’s distrust of advertising in the early 1970s. The ASRC stepped in to combat negative attitudes with industry reform, restoring regulatory protection over consumers.

Brown says that the ASRC model could work in the social media industry. In response to social media platforms’ issues with damaging speech, Brown recommends building a Social Platform Regulatory Council (SPRC) to set regulations for social media platforms.

According to Brown, the SPRC would need four basic elements to function: voluntary participation across platforms, a diverse board composition, a guiding set of principles, and the authority to make real change.

Brown underscores that the SPRC model “must have teeth.” In particular, Brown argues that a connection between the SPRC and a government agency is crucial, as it could be an avenue for enforcing industry standards. In addition, Brown envisions that the SPRC would need the ability to impose penalties for noncompliance.

Brown believes that her proposed Social Platform Regulatory Council could answer the public call to rid of harmful speech on social media platforms—a call that rings louder every day.

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Using Social Media Responsibly

By Vicki Kirkman, LCSW, LCAC – Feb. 25, 2020

Everywhere you look you see people with their heads down staring at a bright screen, often consumed with the endless communication, information and entertainment that an electronic device provides.  Cell phones, tablets, smart watches and computers are everywhere! 

Kids and teenagers growing up in this digital age are learning how to use technology at a huge rate of speed.  When used appropriately, there are so many positive benefits that come with technology and using social media.  There are also many risks and potential harmful consequences to social media use.

The Oxford Reference defines social media as “websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.”  There are many social media platforms that teenagers use, but some of the most popular among that age group include Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Tik Tok and Twitter. Facebook, Skype, Pinterest, Vine and Linked In are other popular social media sites that people of various age groups use.

One of the best benefits of social media is it allows people to easily stay connected through messaging, video chats or photographs.  It can provide opportunities to meet people from all areas of the world without even leaving the comfort of your own home.  Social media also provides so many platforms to express feelings, thoughts and opinions. It’s a great way to explore and learn more about various interests and stay informed about current events. Social media and technology can help someone develop or discover a community or support network too.

Along with the benefits of social media, risks and negative consequences can arise.  Too much social media use can result in lower interaction with family, friends, or co-workers.  Exposure to inappropriate content like violence and pornography is highly possible without the use of monitoring and parental control applications.  Inappropriate behavior such as bullying, slander, or sending/posting risky pictures can happen because a social media user has a false sense of security behind the screen.  Often people don’t consider that their digital footprint can last forever. 

Lack of sleep or interrupted sleep is another negative side effect of too much social media use.  Some people report feeling anxious or depressed after using social media. Pictures and stories often depict someone’s “best of the best” or “highlight reel.”  The pressure to keep posts engaging, picture-perfect and time-worthy can add to feelings of anxiety.  It is easy to start comparing your life to someone else’s digital life and feel down or not good enough. 

Young people have the ability to be in contact with friends all the time, thus leaving them with a sense of no privacy and “too connected” with peers.  Despite the constant ability to stay in contact, they can also feel lonely at the same time. Due to apps that share your location or show if a message has been read, it can be apparent if someone is ignoring or not including you.

Listed below are some good reminders about using social media and technology responsibly to make the most of the positive benefits it can offer.

• Develop and tend to your real life relationships and experiences.
• Take an honest self-assessment of your use. How much are you using social media and why?
• Be yourself and be nice!
• Set limits and take breaks. For example, no posting during homework time, shut phone off or keep in another room during sleeping hours, make “technology free” rules with peers and family members.
• Don’t share your passwords with friends.
• Learn about privacy settings and review them often.
• Utilize social reporting policies and sites.
• Always think before you post.
• If you’re a parent, monitor and set limits for your children and teen’s social media use, have honest conversations about the benefits and risks, and model appropriate social media and technology use yourself.

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Essay on Social Media for School Students and Children

500+ words essay on social media.

Social media is a tool that is becoming quite popular these days because of its user-friendly features. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more are giving people a chance to connect with each other across distances. In other words, the whole world is at our fingertips all thanks to social media. The youth is especially one of the most dominant users of social media. All this makes you wonder that something so powerful and with such a massive reach cannot be all good. Like how there are always two sides to a coin, the same goes for social media. Subsequently, different people have different opinions on this debatable topic. So, in this essay on Social Media, we will see the advantages and disadvantages of social media.

Advantages of Social Media

When we look at the positive aspect of social media, we find numerous advantages. The most important being a great device for education . All the information one requires is just a click away. Students can educate themselves on various topics using social media.

Moreover, live lectures are now possible because of social media. You can attend a lecture happening in America while sitting in India.

Furthermore, as more and more people are distancing themselves from newspapers, they are depending on social media for news. You are always updated on the latest happenings of the world through it. A person becomes more socially aware of the issues of the world.

In addition, it strengthens bonds with your loved ones. Distance is not a barrier anymore because of social media. For instance, you can easily communicate with your friends and relatives overseas.

Most importantly, it also provides a great platform for young budding artists to showcase their talent for free. You can get great opportunities for employment through social media too.

Another advantage definitely benefits companies who wish to promote their brands. Social media has become a hub for advertising and offers you great opportunities for connecting with the customer.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Disadvantages of Social Media

Despite having such unique advantages, social media is considered to be one of the most harmful elements of society. If the use of social media is not monitored, it can lead to grave consequences.

Thus, the sharing on social media especially by children must be monitored at all times. Next up is the addition of social media which is quite common amongst the youth.

This addiction hampers with the academic performance of a student as they waste their time on social media instead of studying. Social media also creates communal rifts. Fake news is spread with the use of it, which poisons the mind of peace-loving citizens.

In short, surely social media has both advantages and disadvantages. But, it all depends on the user at the end. The youth must particularly create a balance between their academic performances, physical activities, and social media. Excess use of anything is harmful and the same thing applies to social media. Therefore, we must strive to live a satisfying life with the right balance.

FAQs on Social Media

Q.1 Is social media beneficial? If yes, then how?

A.1 Social media is quite beneficial. Social Media offers information, news, educational material, a platform for talented youth and brands.

Q.2 What is a disadvantage of Social Media?

A.2 Social media invades your privacy. It makes you addicted and causes health problems. It also results in cyberbullying and scams as well as communal hatred.

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Who takes ethical responsibility for social media influence?

November 30, 2017

There’s a storm brewing, and social media is at its eye. For a decade, businesses and politicians have increasingly used both Twitter and Facebook as convenient mouthpieces. Twitter’s values declare: “We believe in free expression and think every voice has the power to impact the world.” Facebook’s mission is to “bring the world closer together.” Unfortunately, their common quest to enable free speech in a connected world has recently come under scrutiny. Global influence is being brought to bear on domestic matters, and there is the strong possibility that voters in the 2016 presidential election were manipulated through these platforms.

Facebook was the first social media channel to be put under the spotlight. Its platform features an increasingly effective model for targeting specific groups, globally, with the right advertising message. There is uproar because foreign actors appear to have used this very system to influence opinion. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg asserted, in the days following the election, that there was no question of this happening — that ‘ voters make decisions based on their lived experience ’ — but eight months later, concrete evidence emerged of Russian activity on the platform. The criticism levelled at Facebook for allowing this to happen verges on the hypocritical. The ease of advertising has been its attraction to many. The rise of social media marketing has allowed brands to push the boundaries and experiment on their markets in real time. Until now, it seems that all this was okay in the public eye: innocent, positive, ‘good’ use of the medium. The realization that advertisers could have ulterior motives has been a rude awakening.

Facebook has been scrambling to keep pace with the reaction to its own revelation that thousands of ads were placed by profiles leading back to the Internet Research Agency based in St Petersburg, a source known to have promoted pro-Kremlin propaganda. Observers have found the explanations given by Facebook to be wanting: its credibility has been damaged, said Casey Newton in The Verge . The news that $100,000 had been invested by this advertiser seems trivial when set against the $90 million spent by the Trump campaign alone on digital advertising, but the nature of commercial social media promotions against traditional political advertising means the effect on the population may be skewed. The implications are serious. Our lived experience increasingly includes our social media interactions. Our decisions are influenced by what we read.

There is a significant difference between the treatment of commercial and political advertising, which raises questions of ethics and freedom of speech that neither Facebook nor the government can answer. Federal Election commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub has called for regulations to increase transparency. But what is to be regulated? There are already some clear rules that have served us well for decades.

Commercial advertising has long-standing ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements which have been gradually adapted to work in the online space. The American Advertising Federation’s Institute for Advertising Ethics lays down eight crystal-clear principles for commercial advertisers. These require high ethical standards and the common objective of truth; insist on the ethical creation and dissemination of commercial information; and make the point that if consumers don’t know they are reading an ad, then this is unethical. We’re used to seeing ‘Advertisement’ printed in the header of a magazine page, and ‘Sponsored’ displaying in the corner of an ad on our Facebook and other social news feeds, making users aware of paid content.   This is important, because knowing that something is an advertisement changes its credibility to the reader.

The Federal Trade Commission has already published guidelines about ‘native advertising’ which bears a similarity to the material that surrounds it online — in short, ads, which are a seamless part of our newsfeed on any social media channel. Seeing the ‘Sponsored’ statement should make us more skeptical about the content we are viewing and the motivation of the advertiser.

Unfortunately, critical thinking on social media is not our greatest skill. As we scroll through the echo chamber of our closed group of like-minded friends, the ads that are targeted to our type of people reinforce our beliefs and prejudices. Our unconscious bias is fed by the confirmation that we’re in line with the community’s opinions. It is this tendency that makes native advertising so dangerous and so attractive to anyone who wants to influence thinking, whether they are selling running shoes, or spreading disinformation.

Facebook has made changes in response to the recent criticism. The Russian ads were placed across 470 fraudulent profiles and pages, and there has been a visible crackdown on fake accounts. Advertisers must now have an established profile and a month of activity before they can promote a post. This is welcome, as fake advertising has not been restricted to political matters. I have lost count of the number of ‘win an RV/ win a holiday’ posts that I’ve reported when friends fall for false promises, and like and share fake pages. My news feed will become cleaner as a result. It’s a start, but the efforts so far have been described by the Guardian’s Julia Carrie Wong as putting lipstick on a pig . Is this a fair assessment? It certainly puts the scale of the problem into focus.

In the management of commercial advertising, Facebook has been adhering to the letter and spirit of the existing regulations. However, these do not apply to political communications. The Federal Election Commission sets out requirements for disclaimers in political communications which are like those in commercial regulations. Political communications are assumed to come from or refer to a candidate or party. The Federal Communication Commission requires cable operators, satellite television (DBS) providers, and broadcast radio and satellite radio licensees to post their public and political files to the FCC’s online public inspection file database. Social media is not mentioned, nor the role of influencing and reinforcing bias, which sways public opinion without specifically relating back to a candidate. Anyone would think that this was a new phenomenon.

In the context of elections, it is.

Since Facebook and Twitter were first created, there have been only three presidential elections in the United States. Who could have predicted in 2008 that two young tech start-ups could have a significant influence on 2016’s voters? Even in 2012, there was little understanding of the behavioral changes that were already underway: Facebook's global user base has doubled from one billion to two since 2012 .

Twitter’s active user base is smaller, currently estimated at 328 million , but its potential to harbor manipulative and fake accounts is greater because it allows a high degree of anonymity. Twitter is now facing scrutiny after evidence that its platform may have been used even more extensively than Facebook’s in the Russian influence campaign, according to the New York Times . Representatives of both   Twitter and Facebook, alongside Google, which has attracted criticism for returning links to fake news in search results,   testified before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing in November.

Free speech is a democratic necessity and a human right, and social media is its facilitator. Facebook, Twitter and their ilk are the home of absolute free speech, unfettered but for the policing of abuse, and censoring of posts which violate societal norms. Commentators are divided over whether the value of a free speech arena is compromised by the ease with which bots and trolls are able to manipulate the system . Despite criticism over fake news and the current advertising and influence scandals, the digital giants are wary of actions that may open them up to accusations of bias . In terms of regulating content, they are damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.

Traditional media outlets are already clear on their responsibilities. Reuters aims for “ independence, integrity and freedom from bias .” The New York Times delivers “ content of the highest quality and integrity ” to fulfil public trust. The editorial control that maintains these ethical standards is simply not part of the social media model.

Twitter has revealed very little about Russia’s use of its platform or the reach and impact of activity which is still ongoing. Facebook originally said it would not supply any details of the Russian ads under scrutiny. It’s probably more accurate to say that it was struggling to find the information. Facebook has since managed to collate details of more than 3,000 of the Russia-linked ads and will pass them to Congress. The platform is set up to maintain the confidentiality of commercial advertisers and to make the advertising process smooth and seamless without human intervention in approvals: Facebook does not keep reliable records of advertising activity, targeting, or reach. There is no provision to distinguish political advertising, still further the subtle, manipulative content intended to influence thinking and reinforce beliefs.

It seems that the influence of social media has been overlooked by regulators and providers alike.   We are dealing with an unprecedented shift in the behavior of a society, not simply that of individuals, as a direct result of the development of social media. Whether this was foreseen by the founders is immaterial: they have created the monster and must now find a way to manage it.

Kate Baucherel BA(Hons) FCMA is a digital strategist specialising in emerging tech, particularly blockchain and distributed ledger technology. She is COO of City Web Consultants, working on the application of blockchain, AR/VR and machine learning, for blue chip clients in the UK and overseas. Kate’s first job was with an IBM business partner in Denver, back when the AS/400 was a really cool piece of hardware, and the World Wide Web didn’t exist. She has held senior technical and financial roles in businesses across multiple sectors and is a published author of non-fiction and sci-fi. Find out more at  www.katebaucherel.com

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Social Media and Its Impacts on Society Essay

Introductory essay, criminal impacts of social media, social impacts of the social media, effects of social media on economies.

Social media is a communication medium, through which people in different geographical locations can interact freely via the Internet. In the contemporary world, communication technology has grown tremendously with the fast development of the high-speed Internet, high quality mobile phones, and computers that enable people to access the Internet from various parts of the world.

In 2010, the Google search engine registered over one trillion different URLs, which is an indication of the tremendous growth of the global Internet community. By December 2013, Facebook had over 1.11 billion users with active accounts and the number has increased ever since.

People carry out different forms of communications ranging from social interactions to business transactions over the social media. Social media has provided all necessary forms of communication including video conferencing for distance learning and corporate meetings. This development has emerged from the fast growth of communication technology, which transverses different economic levels across the world.

The rise of social media has been facilitated by the emergence of the Internet, which came into existence with the development of the first electronic computer in the 1950s. However, the first computers were designed to serve large corporations, governments, and the military.

Remarkable growth of the Internet was achieved in the early 1970s when email was invented coupled with a social network that linked the Duke University and the University of North Carolina in 1979. However, the growth of social media heightened in the early 21 st century with the invention of Facebook, YouTube, Google, and other social media platforms (Boyd & Ellison, 2007).

Social media is very important as it trespasses different economic levels across the world. For instance, through social media, a person based in the United States can interact freely with an individual in Somalia without any form of economic and social hindrance.

In the past, such people would have connected in educational environments, but the situation has changed with the entry of the Internet and social media. In addition, social media is the fastest way of communication as people can chat through messaging or use the video talks while many miles apart. Hence, social media and the Internet are the only ways that global community can be formed.

Social media has influenced the society criminally, socially, and economically. Criminally, social media has led to the growth of Internet criminals. Crimes committed over the social media are of different magnitudes and they mainly include impostors, hacking, and hate speeches.

These forms of crimes have an adverse impact on society as they interfere with the individual’s right for privacy coupled with causing social stigma (Schaar, Valdez, & Ziefle, 2013). Secondly, social media has contributed to the growth of cultural and value degradation across various parts of the world.

Apparently, a fast-growing social community is emerging across the contemporary world due to the development of new unified behaviours across different cultures, thus leading to the degradation of the traditional cultural norms.

Thirdly, social media has led to an unparalleled economic growth across the world. By allowing people to share ideas, the resultant effect is the fast economic growth as some people acquire economic ideas over the social media and implement them in different places.

In addition, the desire to be on social media has created good opportunities for communication technology companies to sell their products in different economies across the world.

Even though social media was developed for noble reasons, it has turned out to be the greatest threat to humanity as far as cybercrimes are concerned. Some people use social media with the intention of earning a living out of criminal activities whereby they determine easy targets through the platform. Criminal gangs such as terrorist groups also use the same media to issue threats or commit an attack.

However, every country has a right to control communication and conduct surveillance on the Internet users with the help of law enforcers. Cyber terrorism is one of the worst attacks that can happen to a nation since it can crash the economy within a very short time. Therefore, it is advisable to regulate the use of social media and conduct surveillance to ensure safety at all times.

It is necessary to investigate crimes through the social media as such move has many advantages over other ways. First, it is easier to get hold of personal information and communication data of a suspect without his or her awareness. The developed countries arrest a suspect only after a crime communication is done beyond reasonable doubts.

Technology has provided law enforcers with systems that track the geographical location of a suspect, thus making an arrest easy. Secondly, it offers a broad level of surveillance as the majority of people are on social media. This aspect allows law enforcers to carry out investigations from a single point, while investigating many suspects at the same time.

Thirdly, it takes lesser time to detect a suspect over the social media as compared to the traditional ways of investigation, which take a long time to accomplish the same task. Hence, social media offers a suitable and efficient way of conducting criminal investigations to the law enforcers.

However, using social media to conduct criminal investigations comes with several demerits (Melander, 2010). For instance, the majority of the people in social media are literate, and thus criminals are capable of heightening their criminal activities beyond the reach of law enforcers.

The most notorious criminal gangs are not feared because they have more sophisticated weapons than the government forces, as they have knowledgeable people who develop systems that create a firewall around them. In addition, social media is dynamic and hence law enforcers will be required to keep on updating themselves on the usage of the media, thus making it hard for them to reach the criminals.

Criminals are capable of using disguised accounts where they communicate through coded messages that are illegible to anyone outside the gang, which makes it hard for the government forces to identify them. Therefore, social media is a complex platform for conducting criminal investigations for the law enforcers.

In conclusion, social media can be used to combat criminal activities, but the individual’s security begins with oneself. It can be a quick way of identifying criminal suspects, but also a hard way of reaching them as it is dynamic and those criminals have their own ways of disguising themselves over the media.

However, the law enforcers cannot sit back and fail to conduct surveillance; on the contrary, they need to keep upgrading their surveillance skills as it helps to prevent cybercrime activities. Hence, social media surveillance has more advantages than disadvantages, and thus governments across the world should uphold it at any cost.

The growth of social media has had great impacts on the social wellbeing of humankind across the world over the last two decades. Given that man is a social being, social media has contributed greatly to the fulfilment of this purpose by bringing together a global community in one communication platform.

Interestingly, in the contemporary world, people are hardly alone provided they have the Internet, mobile phones, or computers within their reach. Social media has allowed people to travel less and communicate more, thus saving a great deal of time spent in the traditional way of doing things.

However, it has brought about both advantages and disadvantages to the social life whereby some people have gained and others lost values due to its influence in their lives. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the foresaid demerits, social media is a great communication tool, which is slowly becoming indispensable in the contemporary world (Knobel & Lankshear, 2008).

By looking at the cause and effects of social media on society in the contemporary world, it becomes clear that this platform is a complex subject to humanity’s social welfare. It is often difficult to realise when social media is good or bad to the users until the repercussions manifest. Hence, the responsibility lies with the users. The users’ ignorance about the downside of social media results in the breakdown of the social fabric.

Many people cannot differentiate what is good from evil, and thus they give in too much to social media. The media freedom that comes with social media hinders governments’ control over the social media, which allows the platform to impact the society tremendously, both negatively and positively.

The perception that social media is good has led to many people nullifying the view that it is harmful if not kept under check. Social media is a community platform and just like in any other community, there should be laws and regulations to keep people’s behaviours under close check.

The advantages of social media brings to society are numerous, but this paper majors on three aspects. First, social media has contributed greatly to the empowering of the societies in many parts across the world. In the contemporary world, news spreads faster across the social networks, as compared to traditional mediums like print media.

Some few decades back, it took a very long time for the world to get major news, which enabled few people to have power over the majority. However, the scenario has changed as the majority can keep the few in power under check over the social media. The majority of the governing individuals are on social media, which deters them from exercising authoritative powers excessively over their citizens.

Secondly, social media has influenced the world society towards the adoption of a near single culture that is congruent to the dynamism of the global technology. Therefore, youths unsurprisingly dress the same in nearly all countries due to the influence of social media, which has led to the development of a common global culture.

Thirdly, the influence of social media has also led to the growth and development of social behaviours as every culture competes with the world’s leading cultures. Colonialists and missionaries were the first shakers of the world traditional cultures followed by economic and technological advancements, but none of them had a major impact on different cultures like the case of social media.

Social media also has had its disadvantages for the society. Some people are suffering due to the effects of social media. First, cultural value degradation is a major crisis that the world is suffering from and it has emerged from the influences of social media. Cultural heritage is the greatest pride that different social groups have enjoyed for many years.

However, the idea of adopting a common global cultural phenomenon has posed risk of loss of cultural heritages to many cultures across the world. Some of the cultural heritages that are passed to every new generation include rituals, dancing, and dressing codes among others, but the current and future generations will hardly adopt that heritage as they have already adopted a new global culture.

Secondly, social media has contributed to social isolations of some groups. The illiterate and economically challenged individuals have been excluded from the new culture to a point of marginalisation. This aspect has led to social dualism, in which those with access to social media ridicule the less fortunate who cannot enjoy the perquisites that come with this form of communication.

This case of marginalisation and ridicule is extreme in the developing nations where the majority of people are not in the social media, thus causing a cultural crisis in the society. Thirdly, social media has contributed to the spreading of immoral behaviours across the world (Ferri, Grifoni, & Guzzo, 2012).

What seems good to a certain society is not always good to another, but the youths are vulnerable to what brings utmost pleasure, which in most cases is immoral.

In conclusion, social media is a good way of communication across different cultures and at the same time bad if not controlled. Notably, it is hard to control the influences of social media to a culture, as the youths are the most vulnerable and active on the platform.

Hence, the entire responsibility lies in the hands of individual users to determine the benefits that come with social media. Unfortunately, those missing from social media feel alienated and marginalised.

However, the advantages of social media outweigh the disadvantages and thus social media has become indispensable in the contemporary world. People should thus embrace social media as it simplifies communication and global interaction.

Global village is a common terminology in the modern day world and it is often used to refer to the fast growing world economy. Social media has greatly contributed to the fast growth of world economies since it has brought together both sellers and buyers in a common platform. Amongst the richest traders in the world, the majority get their customers through the Internet and social media.

Social media allows for trade transactions between parties that are very far from each other and hence contributing to the growth of a global economy. Traditionally, it was harder to do business across and within nations as it took long to reach customers and it demanded huge capital for advertisements.

However, the case is very different today as start-ups are capable of posing major threats to the old businesses due to the influence of the social media. In addition, economic activities are kept in check through social media and economic decision makers are aware of the power of social media, and thus they execute their strategies with extreme carefulness.

The first element in the cause and effects of social media on economies is the availability of many customers on the platform. People are key drivers of the economy as every trader relies on customers for trade. Hence, the availability of many people on social media has created an excellent opportunity for traders to reach out to many people through advertising via the media.

Secondly, social media brings people of different economic, professional, and cultural backgrounds together, which serve as a key determinant of economic growth. Hence, people have the power to question economic decisions, and thus contribute to the making of decisions that favour their economic wellbeing.

For instance, the Obamacare has received great social media attention and people have voiced their concerns via this platform. Thirdly, the world’s most thriving businesses are those in the information technology sector where social media has created huge demands for different products.

There is a great desire for people to get into the social media and others want to communicate effectively using the best available communication devices in the market, and thus mobile telecommunication firms have a huge demand to meet. The huge demand and supply for communication products have played a major role in economic growth across the world.

Advantages of social media effects on economy are numerous. First, social media enables producers to reach out to many customers. Social media has allowed producers to get wide market coverage for their products with less effort, which assures good sales and profits. In so doing, start-up businesses reach their full growth within a short time, thus increasing governments’ revenues.

Traditionally, it was hard for start-ups to reach their full growth due to lack of huge capital investments required for advertisement and product promotions. However, the scenario has changed in the contemporary world as a trader can do advertisement and product promotion over social media without incurring huge costs and logistical challenges.

Secondly, social media has enabled the creation of job opportunities in different economies across the world. It is easier for an individual with an economically viable idea to attract investors on social media and within a short time, the idea comes to reality, thus creating job opportunities.

In addition, the fast growing trend of businesses advertising their products over the social media creates job opportunities, as they demand more labour investments. Thirdly, social media helps traders to identify new markets for their products.

The world economy is nowadays a uniform economy whereby high quality products have potential to sell to other economies with ease. The social media enables a buyer to purchase products available in the world markets. In such a case, ordering products from social media sends a signal to the producers that a new market exists in a certain area.

However, social media has negative effects on economies as explained in this paragraph. First, local products still face competition from imported products. Buying foreign products exposes local products, which in most cases are expensive or inferior, to the risk of extinction.

In the worst case scenario, the government loses revenue, and thus loss of employment and increase dependency on the government by the population. Some governments control this scenario by imposing high taxes on imported goods, but the long-term solution is to improve the quality of local products and charge customers less (Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe, 2007).

Secondly, social media has led to globalisation of world cultures, which has enabled some people to emigrate to fast thriving economies. For instance, developing nations have lost talents and productive people to the developed nations as the latter present more promising job offers as compared to the former.

This mass emigration from developing countries has led to loss of capable workforce, thus curtailing the probability of achieving economic goals in third world countries. However, the world economies can take advantage of social media and the world’s new cultural phenomenon to add value to their local mechanisms in a bid to avoid brain drain.

Thirdly, social media has also contributed to reduced productivity of employees as many employers are addicted to it, and thus spend a lot of time communicating with their friends. These behaviours are hard to contain and, in worst-case scenarios, they lead to loss making and unemployment.

In conclusion, social media is good for economic growth, but it has both advantages and disadvantages. However, the sole responsibility of its outcome lies in the hands of the users. It is recommendable to use social media towards achieving economic advantage by nearly all stakeholders in an economy.

Producers can take advantage of social media to identify products that best satisfy the targeted customers in the global phenomenon and capitalise on their strengths to gain a competitive advantage.

Boyd, M., & Ellison, B. (2007). Social network sites: definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13 (1), 4-45.

Ellison, B., Steinfield, C., & Lampe, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook friends: social capital and college student’s use of online social network sites. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12 (1), 1143–1168.

Ferri, F., Grifoni, P., & Guzzo, T. (2012). New forms of social and professional digital relationships: the case of Facebook. Social Network Analysis and Mining Journal, 2 (6), 121-137.

Knobel, M., & Lankshear, C. (2008). Digital Literacy and Participation in Online Social Networking Spaces . New York, NY: Peter Lang

Melander, L. (2010). College students’ perceptions of intimate partner cyber harassment. Cyber Psychology, Behaviour, and Social Networking, 13 (3), 263– 268.

Schaar, K., Valdez, C., & Ziefle, M. (2013). The impact of user diversity on the willingness to disclose personal information in social network services. in human factors in computing and informatics . Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlang.

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Feb 15, 2023

6 Example Essays on Social Media | Advantages, Effects, and Outlines

Got an essay assignment about the effects of social media we got you covered check out our examples and outlines below.

Social media has become one of our society's most prominent ways of communication and information sharing in a very short time. It has changed how we communicate and has given us a platform to express our views and opinions and connect with others. It keeps us informed about the world around us. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn have brought individuals from all over the world together, breaking down geographical borders and fostering a genuinely global community.

However, social media comes with its difficulties. With the rise of misinformation, cyberbullying, and privacy problems, it's critical to utilize these platforms properly and be aware of the risks. Students in the academic world are frequently assigned essays about the impact of social media on numerous elements of our lives, such as relationships, politics, and culture. These essays necessitate a thorough comprehension of the subject matter, critical thinking, and the ability to synthesize and convey information clearly and succinctly.

But where do you begin? It can be challenging to know where to start with so much information available. Jenni.ai comes in handy here. Jenni.ai is an AI application built exclusively for students to help them write essays more quickly and easily. Jenni.ai provides students with inspiration and assistance on how to approach their essays with its enormous database of sample essays on a variety of themes, including social media. Jenni.ai is the solution you've been looking for if you're experiencing writer's block or need assistance getting started.

So, whether you're a student looking to better your essay writing skills or want to remain up to date on the latest social media advancements, Jenni.ai is here to help. Jenni.ai is the ideal tool for helping you write your finest essay ever, thanks to its simple design, an extensive database of example essays, and cutting-edge AI technology. So, why delay? Sign up for a free trial of Jenni.ai today and begin exploring the worlds of social networking and essay writing!

Want to learn how to write an argumentative essay? Check out these inspiring examples!

We will provide various examples of social media essays so you may get a feel for the genre.

6 Examples of Social Media Essays

Here are 6 examples of Social Media Essays:

The Impact of Social Media on Relationships and Communication

Introduction:.

The way we share information and build relationships has evolved as a direct result of the prevalence of social media in our daily lives. The influence of social media on interpersonal connections and conversation is a hot topic. Although social media has many positive effects, such as bringing people together regardless of physical proximity and making communication quicker and more accessible, it also has a dark side that can affect interpersonal connections and dialogue.

Positive Effects:

Connecting People Across Distances

One of social media's most significant benefits is its ability to connect individuals across long distances. People can use social media platforms to interact and stay in touch with friends and family far away. People can now maintain intimate relationships with those they care about, even when physically separated.

Improved Communication Speed and Efficiency

Additionally, the proliferation of social media sites has accelerated and simplified communication. Thanks to instant messaging, users can have short, timely conversations rather than lengthy ones via email. Furthermore, social media facilitates group communication, such as with classmates or employees, by providing a unified forum for such activities.

Negative Effects:

Decreased Face-to-Face Communication

The decline in in-person interaction is one of social media's most pernicious consequences on interpersonal connections and dialogue. People's reliance on digital communication over in-person contact has increased along with the popularity of social media. Face-to-face interaction has suffered as a result, which has adverse effects on interpersonal relationships and the development of social skills.

Decreased Emotional Intimacy

Another adverse effect of social media on relationships and communication is decreased emotional intimacy. Digital communication lacks the nonverbal cues and facial expressions critical in building emotional connections with others. This can make it more difficult for people to develop close and meaningful relationships, leading to increased loneliness and isolation.

Increased Conflict and Miscommunication

Finally, social media can also lead to increased conflict and miscommunication. The anonymity and distance provided by digital communication can lead to misunderstandings and hurtful comments that might not have been made face-to-face. Additionally, social media can provide a platform for cyberbullying , which can have severe consequences for the victim's mental health and well-being.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the impact of social media on relationships and communication is a complex issue with both positive and negative effects. While social media platforms offer many benefits, such as connecting people across distances and enabling faster and more accessible communication, they also have a dark side that can negatively affect relationships and communication. It is up to individuals to use social media responsibly and to prioritize in-person communication in their relationships and interactions with others.

The Role of Social Media in the Spread of Misinformation and Fake News

Social media has revolutionized the way information is shared and disseminated. However, the ease and speed at which data can be spread on social media also make it a powerful tool for spreading misinformation and fake news. Misinformation and fake news can seriously affect public opinion, influence political decisions, and even cause harm to individuals and communities.

The Pervasiveness of Misinformation and Fake News on Social Media

Misinformation and fake news are prevalent on social media platforms, where they can spread quickly and reach a large audience. This is partly due to the way social media algorithms work, which prioritizes content likely to generate engagement, such as sensational or controversial stories. As a result, false information can spread rapidly and be widely shared before it is fact-checked or debunked.

The Influence of Social Media on Public Opinion

Social media can significantly impact public opinion, as people are likelier to believe the information they see shared by their friends and followers. This can lead to a self-reinforcing cycle, where misinformation and fake news are spread and reinforced, even in the face of evidence to the contrary.

The Challenge of Correcting Misinformation and Fake News

Correcting misinformation and fake news on social media can be a challenging task. This is partly due to the speed at which false information can spread and the difficulty of reaching the same audience exposed to the wrong information in the first place. Additionally, some individuals may be resistant to accepting correction, primarily if the incorrect information supports their beliefs or biases.

In conclusion, the function of social media in disseminating misinformation and fake news is complex and urgent. While social media has revolutionized the sharing of information, it has also made it simpler for false information to propagate and be widely believed. Individuals must be accountable for the information they share and consume, and social media firms must take measures to prevent the spread of disinformation and fake news on their platforms.

The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health and Well-Being

Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of people around the world using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay connected with others and access information. However, while social media has many benefits, it can also negatively affect mental health and well-being.

Comparison and Low Self-Esteem

One of the key ways that social media can affect mental health is by promoting feelings of comparison and low self-esteem. People often present a curated version of their lives on social media, highlighting their successes and hiding their struggles. This can lead others to compare themselves unfavorably, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

Another way that social media can negatively impact mental health is through cyberbullying and online harassment. Social media provides a platform for anonymous individuals to harass and abuse others, leading to feelings of anxiety, fear, and depression.

Social Isolation

Despite its name, social media can also contribute to feelings of isolation. At the same time, people may have many online friends but need more meaningful in-person connections and support. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression.

Addiction and Overuse

Finally, social media can be addictive, leading to overuse and negatively impacting mental health and well-being. People may spend hours each day scrolling through their feeds, neglecting other important areas of their lives, such as work, family, and self-care.

In sum, social media has positive and negative consequences on one's psychological and emotional well-being. Realizing this, and taking measures like reducing one's social media use, reaching out to loved ones for help, and prioritizing one's well-being, are crucial. In addition, it's vital that social media giants take ownership of their platforms and actively encourage excellent mental health and well-being.

The Use of Social Media in Political Activism and Social Movements

Social media has recently become increasingly crucial in political action and social movements. Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have given people new ways to express themselves, organize protests, and raise awareness about social and political issues.

Raising Awareness and Mobilizing Action

One of the most important uses of social media in political activity and social movements has been to raise awareness about important issues and mobilize action. Hashtags such as #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter, for example, have brought attention to sexual harassment and racial injustice, respectively. Similarly, social media has been used to organize protests and other political actions, allowing people to band together and express themselves on a bigger scale.

Connecting with like-minded individuals

A second method in that social media has been utilized in political activity and social movements is to unite like-minded individuals. Through social media, individuals can join online groups, share knowledge and resources, and work with others to accomplish shared objectives. This has been especially significant for geographically scattered individuals or those without access to traditional means of political organizing.

Challenges and Limitations

As a vehicle for political action and social movements, social media has faced many obstacles and restrictions despite its many advantages. For instance, the propagation of misinformation and fake news on social media can impede attempts to disseminate accurate and reliable information. In addition, social media corporations have been condemned for censorship and insufficient protection of user rights.

In conclusion, social media has emerged as a potent instrument for political activism and social movements, giving voice to previously unheard communities and galvanizing support for change. Social media presents many opportunities for communication and collaboration. Still, users and institutions must be conscious of the risks and limitations of these tools to promote their responsible and productive usage.

The Potential Privacy Concerns Raised by Social Media Use and Data Collection Practices

With billions of users each day on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, social media has ingrained itself into every aspect of our lives. While these platforms offer a straightforward method to communicate with others and exchange information, they also raise significant concerns over data collecting and privacy. This article will examine the possible privacy issues posed by social media use and data-gathering techniques.

Data Collection and Sharing

The gathering and sharing of personal data are significant privacy issues brought up by social media use. Social networking sites gather user data, including details about their relationships, hobbies, and routines. This information is made available to third-party businesses for various uses, such as marketing and advertising. This can lead to serious concerns about who has access to and uses our personal information.

Lack of Control Over Personal Information

The absence of user control over personal information is a significant privacy issue brought up by social media usage. Social media makes it challenging to limit who has access to and how data is utilized once it has been posted. Sensitive information may end up being extensively disseminated and may be used maliciously as a result.

Personalized Marketing

Social media companies utilize the information they gather about users to target them with adverts relevant to their interests and usage patterns. Although this could be useful, it might also cause consumers to worry about their privacy since they might feel that their personal information is being used without their permission. Furthermore, there are issues with the integrity of the data being used to target users and the possibility of prejudice based on individual traits.

Government Surveillance

Using social media might spark worries about government surveillance. There are significant concerns regarding privacy and free expression when governments in some nations utilize social media platforms to follow and monitor residents.

In conclusion, social media use raises significant concerns regarding data collecting and privacy. While these platforms make it easy to interact with people and exchange information, they also gather a lot of personal information, which raises questions about who may access it and how it will be used. Users should be aware of these privacy issues and take precautions to safeguard their personal information, such as exercising caution when choosing what details to disclose on social media and keeping their information sharing with other firms to a minimum.

The Ethical and Privacy Concerns Surrounding Social Media Use And Data Collection

Our use of social media to communicate with loved ones, acquire information, and even conduct business has become a crucial part of our everyday lives. The extensive use of social media does, however, raise some ethical and privacy issues that must be resolved. The influence of social media use and data collecting on user rights, the accountability of social media businesses, and the need for improved regulation are all topics that will be covered in this article.

Effect on Individual Privacy:

Social networking sites gather tons of personal data from their users, including delicate information like search history, location data, and even health data. Each user's detailed profile may be created with this data and sold to advertising or used for other reasons. Concerns regarding the privacy of personal information might arise because social media businesses can use this data to target users with customized adverts.

Additionally, individuals might need to know how much their personal information is being gathered and exploited. Data breaches or the unauthorized sharing of personal information with other parties may result in instances where sensitive information is exposed. Users should be aware of the privacy rules of social media firms and take precautions to secure their data.

Responsibility of Social Media Companies:

Social media firms should ensure that they responsibly and ethically gather and use user information. This entails establishing strong security measures to safeguard sensitive information and ensuring users are informed of what information is being collected and how it is used.

Many social media businesses, nevertheless, have come under fire for not upholding these obligations. For instance, the Cambridge Analytica incident highlighted how Facebook users' personal information was exploited for political objectives without their knowledge. This demonstrates the necessity of social media corporations being held responsible for their deeds and ensuring that they are safeguarding the security and privacy of their users.

Better Regulation Is Needed

There is a need for tighter regulation in this field, given the effect, social media has on individual privacy as well as the obligations of social media firms. The creation of laws and regulations that ensure social media companies are gathering and using user information ethically and responsibly, as well as making sure users are aware of their rights and have the ability to control the information that is being collected about them, are all part of this.

Additionally, legislation should ensure that social media businesses are held responsible for their behavior, for example, by levying fines for data breaches or the unauthorized use of personal data. This will provide social media businesses with a significant incentive to prioritize their users' privacy and security and ensure they are upholding their obligations.

In conclusion, social media has fundamentally changed how we engage and communicate with one another, but this increased convenience also raises several ethical and privacy issues. Essential concerns that need to be addressed include the effect of social media on individual privacy, the accountability of social media businesses, and the requirement for greater regulation to safeguard user rights. We can make everyone's online experience safer and more secure by looking more closely at these issues.

In conclusion, social media is a complex and multifaceted topic that has recently captured the world's attention. With its ever-growing influence on our lives, it's no surprise that it has become a popular subject for students to explore in their writing. Whether you are writing an argumentative essay on the impact of social media on privacy, a persuasive essay on the role of social media in politics, or a descriptive essay on the changes social media has brought to the way we communicate, there are countless angles to approach this subject.

However, writing a comprehensive and well-researched essay on social media can be daunting. It requires a thorough understanding of the topic and the ability to articulate your ideas clearly and concisely. This is where Jenni.ai comes in. Our AI-powered tool is designed to help students like you save time and energy and focus on what truly matters - your education. With Jenni.ai , you'll have access to a wealth of examples and receive personalized writing suggestions and feedback.

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Social Responsibility in the Media

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The digital transformation of museums

SUSTAINABLE DIGITAL LIFE

Social Responsibility of Social Media Influencers

The blog post is adapted from the essay created for the course Digital Literacy.

The emerging of social media has enhanced the enthusiasm about participation in the information creation process due to fast, inexpensive, low barrier, and user-friendly content sharing tools. It has made sharing information accessible to more users than ever. Social media creates an opportunity to receive more diverse publications, instead of public speech to well-educated professionals. There is a significant connection between citizen journalism and social media. (Roberts, 2019.)

Young people follow influencers more than others, mostly for passing the time and entertainment. They see influencers as an important source of information, which makes the influencers voices loud. (Croes & Bartels, 2021) Social media platforms are increasingly interdepended on influencers (Cunningham & Craig, 2019b) and influencer marketing has become an effective and popular way of marketing.

The phenomenon is growing rapidly, the market value of global influencer marketing has more than doubled in two years, in 2021 it has valued at around 11.8 billion euros. (Statista Research Department, 2021)

Users of social media are constantly exposed to branded messages. The marketers want to influence consumers in one way or another and influencers work in between these parties. (Cornwell & Katz, 2020) Social media influencers can reach a wider audience than commercial media. The most followed person on Instagram, footballer Cristian Ronaldo, had over 315 million followers in July 2021 (weCreate, 2021), which is nearly as many as the population of the whole United States (331 mil.) (IMF, 2020).

This blog will explore the question: what is the social responsibility of social media influencers in front of their audience? Cambrige Dictionary (2021) defines Social Responsibility as “ the practice of producing goods and services in a way that is not harmful to society or the environment ”. In social media, the goods and services are content, information. This essay focuses on the content creators influence other users and therefore excludes the environmental impacts of social responsibility.

Social Media Influencers

Not all social media users aim to be influencers, but they are still imitating the style of self-presentation of the influencers by posting over-produced content. Posting over-produced content to social media makes it more like a magazine than a photo album (Pullinen, 2019, pp. 148-158). Content creators sometimes decline the term influencer marketing, as it overwrites their cultural and social part of work (Cunningham & Craig, 2019a).

More attention has been paid to the responsibility of corporations to create and profit from social media than to the responsibilities of users when they take part in social media sites. (Roberts, 2019.) Influencers are not journalists, even though they disseminate information to their audience. In addition to their personally produced content, some influencers want to share and discuss controversial and globally important topics (Wellman et al, 2019). 

One of the most discussed topics in influencer ethics is influencer marketing. Platforms do not usually pay for the posts. Therefore, a common way to create income from their work is to collaborate with commercial companies. The responsibility of an influencer is to add a disclosure to content with sponsored compensation but it is left for the creator to decide how one makes this disclosure. However, if the influencer has not received compensation and they just simply like the product, one does not need to make the disclosure. (Cornwell & Katz, 2020)

The influencers do not necessarily know if their audience understands which content is sponsored. The influencers are often balancing with the need for income and with accusations of “selling out.” Promoting products and services simply for compensation is not considered to be ethical. (Wellman et al., 2020)

According to a study conducted by Wellman et al. (2020), travel influencers keep authenticity as an ethical framework when creating sponsored content. Being true to one-self (authenticity) is used to build trust in the audience (credibility). To follow these guidelines, influencers may create content that they believe is useful for their audience, posting less relevant content in low traffic times and omitting to leave out unnecessary negative experiences. In addition, travel influencers find the practices that do not capture the reality (i.e., waking up early for the photoshoot in a destination that typically is crowded). The content can be overly romanticised and create false expectations for the audience. This would be against the journalistic code of ethics, which the essay will discuss later. Influencers decide when and what they publish and what they leave out. Therefore, they often avoid talking about negative experiences. One of the interviewed influencers said: “if the negative experience will never affect a reader, leave it out.” (Wellman et al., 2020)

Regulations

Social media sites determine their own rules and present them usually during registration. (Cunningham & Craig, 2019b) Participation in sharing information is made easy and responsibility-free, which attracts more users and more advertising income and user data. Sites focus on framing the rights in a negative light, highlighting what the users should not do. The sites do not communicate that the users have an obligation to other users. Instead, they are allowed to act in any way they want unless it explicitly violates other users, usually being illegal too. Additionally, many of the documents are hard-to-read, and therefore, users often dismiss them. (Roberts, 2019)

Influencers lack a preeminent professional organization. Therefore, it is hard to discern the ethics of influencer marketing. (Wellman et al. 2020) These online creatives lack the protection afforded by copyright directives and platform management systems and they are not seen as stakeholders in debates of governance issues in social media. (Cunningham & Craig, 2019b).

Journalist Code of Ethics

The Commission on Freedom and Press (1947) published the journalist code of ethics. They defined the responsibility of journalists: they must provide needed information for citizens. According to Roberts (2019), emphasizing the responsibility of journalists can leave citizens as passive participants. Therefore, they would be less responsible for their information. The modern ideology of journalism focuses on five values:

1) public service 2) objectivity 3) autonomy 4) immediacy 5) ethics

Professional journalists are conscious of the manipulability of information in the age of propaganda. (Roberts, 2019)

Finnish Council of Mass Media (CMM) is set up by journalists and publishers. Its main function is to interpret the good practice of journalism. CMM’s guidelines aim to the responsible use of freedom of speech in the mass media, and to promote ethical discussion of professionals. Most mass media companies in Finland are members of CMM and therefore obligated to follow their guidelines. (CMM, 2021) However, social media platforms are not guided by any council or organization.

Roberts (2019) suggests, that it could be instructive to look back on the journalistic ethics to apply the social responsibility theory of the press to all content creators. The discussion about the ethics of social media emphasizes mostly the rights and privacy of the users. Less emphasis is given to the knowledge of what responsibilities when connecting with other social media users. (Roberts, 2019) Looking back to the journalistic code of ethics, which is based on five principles, and apply to the social media context, the content is often far from objective. Sponsored content is making the publishing even more biased.

Creative industries do not have much protection for the creators (Cunningham & Craig 2019a). According to my research of the topic, it seems there is no labour party for online creatives that would guide their rights (e.g. salaries, contracts, legal aid).

Social media creates an opportunity for a diverse group of people to make their voices heard. The power of publishing has shifted, and traditional gatekeepers have been removed. Now anyone can publish anything and anytime. This creates various opportunities but also new responsibilities for both users and platforms.

Social media influencers could have their code of ethics. In the light of ethics, influencers should not provide false information or distort the truth, especially when creating commercial content. The platforms could improve their regulations. Currently, they present the rules during the registration in a hard-to-read context without addressing ethics. Instead, the sites could include the code of ethics into the core of their existence, small messages along the journey, that would the users a better understanding of the influence of their behaviour on others. Framing the rules in a positive light could increase the willingness to follow the rules and code of ethics. Highlighting how can users create a positive impact with their content.

There could be an organisation that would guide the ethics of social media influencers. In addition, online creatives could have a labour party that would guide their work, rights, and responsibilities.

In addition, influencers can act themselves to improve social responsibility in social media. The influencers could be offered education. For example, Tampere University of Applied Sciences launches its first Bachelor’s degree for social media influencers in spring 2022. Influencers Academy program gives tools and knowledge to young people interested in influencer marketing. The students start a business in Finland and during the degree, students use social media marketing to enhance their own business. (Kasdaglis-Zabyshnyi, 2021)

Cambridge Dictionary (2021). Definition of Social Responsibility. Cambridge Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/social-responsibility

CMM. (2021). Council for Mass Media . [online,] https://www.jsn.fi/en/ 

Cornwell, T. B., & Katz, H. (2020). Influencer . Routledge.

Croes, E., & Bartels, J. (2021). Young adults’ motivations for following social influencers and their relationship to identification and buying behavior. Computers in Human Behavior, 124, 106910–. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106910

Cunningham, S., & Craig, D. (2019a). Social Media Entertainment: The New Intersection of Hollywood and Silicon Valley. International Journal of Communication , 13(0).

Cunningham, S., & Craig, D. (2019b). Creator Governance in Social Media Entertainment. Social Media + Society , 5(4), 205630511988342. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305119883428

IMF. (October 12, 2020 ). Total population in the United States from 2015 to 2025 (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 09, 2021, from https://www-statista-com.libproxy.tuni.fi/statistics/263762/total-population-of-the-united-states/

Kasdaglis-Zabyshnyi, M., (2021 ). Influencers Academy brings international Influencers to TAMK’s Proakatemia. https://www.tuni.fi/en/news/influencers-academy-brings-international-influencers-tamks-proakatemia

Pullinen, J. (2019). Mitä meille tapahtui? Helsinki. HS-kirjat, p.148-158, 200.

Roberts, J. (1C.E.). The erosion of ethics: from citizen journalism to social media. Journal of Information, Communication & Ethics in Society (Online), 17(4), 409–421. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-01-2019-0014

The Commission on Freedom of the Press (1947), A Free and Responsible Press, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL.

weCreate (2021). Instagram accounts with the most followers worldwide as of July 2021 (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. https://www-statista-com.libproxy.tuni.fi/statistics/421169/most-followers-instagram/

Statista Research Department (2021). Sep 27, 2021. Influencer marketing worldwide – statistics & facts. Advertisement and Marketing. Retrieved October 19th, 2021 from https://www.statista.com/topics/2496/influence-marketing/#dossierKeyfigures

Wellman, M. L., Stoldt, R., Tully, M., & Ekdale, B. (2020). Ethics of Authenticity: Social Media Influencers and the Production of Sponsored Content. Journal of Media Ethics, 35(2), 68–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/23736992.2020.1736078

2 thoughts on “ Social Responsibility of Social Media Influencers ”

Hello Peppi, I have been thinking about social responsibility of content creators since past few days and I want to build my master thesis on this. I’m a master of public policy student in Berlin, and I have been trying to find content and research papers on this issue but there is hardly anything out there. I’m planning to carry out a research (conducting interviews with creators, questionnaires) to be able to ascribe some numbers to the issue, and since you mentioned that you are student in Tampere doing the digital course, it would help me to know if your course touches this issue and we can also discuss about other possibilities of collaboration. Let me know if you are interested.

Thank you for your message Riya!

This essay is created for the course “Digital Literacy”. The course itself does not cover the topic, our assignment was to explore digital literacy from some aspect of sustainability.

The main topics I explored were: Social media influencers, journalist code of ethics, platform guidelines and regulations, and responsibility of influencers. Maybe you could check Cunningham & Craig’s books about social media entertainment. A new article worth checking by Kim, & Kim, M. (2022): Rise of Social Media Influencers as a New Marketing Channel: Focusing on the Roles of Psychological Well-Being and Perceived Social Responsibility among Consumers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4), 2362–. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042362 .

I am pleased that you are interested to create a Master’s thesis on the topic – after creating this academic essay, it became evident that the topic can be explored more thoroughly. Feel free to contact me via [email protected]

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Loyola University > Center for Digital Ethics & Policy > Research & Initiatives > Essays > Archive > 2017 > Who takes ethical responsibility for social media influence?

Who takes ethical responsibility for social media influence, november 30, 2017.

There’s a storm brewing, and social media is at its eye. For a decade, businesses and politicians have increasingly used both Twitter and Facebook as convenient mouthpieces.  Twitter’s values  declare: “We believe in free expression and think every voice has the power to impact the world.”  Facebook’s mission  is to “bring the world closer together.” Unfortunately, their common quest to enable free speech in a connected world has recently come under scrutiny. Global influence is being brought to bear on domestic matters, and there is the strong possibility that voters in the 2016 presidential election were manipulated through these platforms.

Facebook was the first social media channel to be put under the spotlight. Its platform features an increasingly effective model for targeting specific groups, globally, with the right advertising message. There is uproar because foreign actors appear to have used this very system to influence opinion. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg asserted, in the days following the election, that there was no question of this happening — that ‘ voters make decisions based on their lived experience ’ — but eight months later, concrete evidence emerged of Russian activity on the platform. The criticism levelled at Facebook for allowing this to happen verges on the hypocritical. The ease of advertising has been its attraction to many. The rise of social media marketing has allowed brands to push the boundaries and experiment on their markets in real time. Until now, it seems that all this was okay in the public eye: innocent, positive, ‘good’ use of the medium. The realization that advertisers could have ulterior motives has been a rude awakening.

Facebook has been scrambling to keep pace with the reaction to its own revelation that thousands of ads were placed by profiles leading back to the Internet Research Agency based in St Petersburg, a source known to have promoted pro-Kremlin propaganda. Observers have found the explanations given by Facebook to be wanting:  its credibility has been damaged, said Casey Newton in The Verge . The news that $100,000 had been invested by this advertiser seems trivial when set against the $90 million spent by the Trump campaign alone on digital advertising, but the nature of commercial social media promotions against traditional political advertising means the effect on the population may be skewed. The implications are serious. Our lived experience increasingly includes our social media interactions. Our decisions are influenced by what we read.

There is a significant difference between the treatment of commercial and political advertising, which raises questions of ethics and freedom of speech that neither Facebook nor the government can answer. Federal Election commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub has  called for regulations  to increase transparency. But what is to be regulated? There are already some clear rules that have served us well for decades.

Commercial advertising has long-standing ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements which have been gradually adapted to work in the online space. The American Advertising Federation’s Institute for Advertising Ethics lays down  eight crystal-clear principles  for commercial advertisers. These require high ethical standards and the common objective of truth; insist on the ethical creation and dissemination of commercial information; and make the point that if consumers don’t know they are reading an ad, then this is unethical. We’re used to seeing ‘Advertisement’ printed in the header of a magazine page, and ‘Sponsored’ displaying in the corner of an ad on our Facebook and other social news feeds, making users aware of paid content.  This is important, because knowing that something is an advertisement changes its credibility to the reader.

The  Federal Trade Commission  has already published guidelines about ‘native advertising’ which bears a similarity to the material that surrounds it online — in short, ads, which are a seamless part of our newsfeed on any social media channel. Seeing the ‘Sponsored’ statement should make us more skeptical about the content we are viewing and the motivation of the advertiser.

Unfortunately, critical thinking on social media is not our greatest skill. As we scroll through the echo chamber of our closed group of like-minded friends, the ads that are targeted to our type of people reinforce our beliefs and prejudices. Our unconscious bias is fed by the confirmation that we’re in line with the community’s opinions. It is this tendency that makes native advertising so dangerous and so attractive to anyone who wants to influence thinking, whether they are selling running shoes, or spreading disinformation.

Facebook has made changes in response to the recent criticism. The Russian ads were placed across 470 fraudulent profiles and pages, and there has been a visible crackdown on fake accounts. Advertisers must now have an established profile and a month of activity before they can promote a post. This is welcome, as fake advertising has not been restricted to political matters. I have lost count of the number of ‘win an RV/ win a holiday’ posts that I’ve reported when friends fall for false promises, and like and share fake pages. My news feed will become cleaner as a result. It’s a start, but the efforts so far have been described by the Guardian’s Julia Carrie Wong as  putting lipstick on a pig . Is this a fair assessment? It certainly puts the scale of the problem into focus.

In the management of commercial advertising, Facebook has been adhering to the letter and spirit of the existing regulations. However, these do not apply to political communications. The  Federal Election Commission  sets out requirements for disclaimers in political communications which are like those in commercial regulations. Political communications are assumed to come from or refer to a candidate or party. The  Federal Communication Commission  requires cable operators, satellite television (DBS) providers, and broadcast radio and satellite radio licensees to post their public and political files to the FCC’s online public inspection file database. Social media is not mentioned, nor the role of influencing and reinforcing bias, which sways public opinion without specifically relating back to a candidate. Anyone would think that this was a new phenomenon.

In the context of elections, it is.

Since Facebook and Twitter were first created, there have been only three presidential elections in the United States. Who could have predicted in 2008 that two young tech start-ups could have a significant influence on 2016’s voters? Even in 2012, there was little understanding of the behavioral changes that were already underway:  Facebook's global user base has doubled from one billion to two since 2012 .

Twitter’s active user base is smaller,  currently estimated at 328 million , but its potential to harbor manipulative and fake accounts is greater because it allows a high degree of anonymity. Twitter is now facing scrutiny after evidence that its platform may have been used even more extensively than Facebook’s in the Russian influence campaign, according to the  New York Times . Representatives of both  Twitter and Facebook, alongside Google, which has attracted criticism for returning links to fake news in search results,   testified  before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing in November.

Free speech is a democratic necessity and a human right, and social media is its facilitator. Facebook, Twitter and their ilk are the home of absolute free speech, unfettered but for the policing of abuse, and censoring of posts which violate societal norms. Commentators are divided over whether the value of a free speech arena is compromised by the  ease with which bots and trolls are able to manipulate the system . Despite criticism over fake news and the current advertising and influence scandals, the  digital giants are wary of actions that may open them up to accusations of bias . In terms of regulating content, they are damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.

Traditional media outlets are already clear on their responsibilities. Reuters aims for “ independence, integrity and freedom from bias .” The New York Times delivers “ content of the highest quality and integrity ” to fulfill public trust. The editorial control that maintains these ethical standards is simply not part of the social media model.

Twitter has revealed very little about Russia’s use of its platform or the reach and impact of activity which is still ongoing. Facebook originally said  it would not supply any details of the Russian ads  under scrutiny. It’s probably more accurate to say that it was struggling to find the information. Facebook has since managed to collate details of more than 3,000 of the Russia-linked ads and will pass them to Congress. The platform is set up to maintain the confidentiality of commercial advertisers and to make the advertising process smooth and seamless without human intervention in approvals: Facebook does not keep reliable records of advertising activity, targeting, or reach. There is no provision to distinguish political advertising, still further the subtle, manipulative content intended to influence thinking and reinforce beliefs.

It seems that the influence of social media has been overlooked by regulators and providers alike.  We are dealing with an unprecedented shift in the behavior of a society, not simply that of individuals, as a direct result of the development of social media. Whether this was foreseen by the founders is immaterial: they have created the monster and must now find a way to manage it.

Kate Baucherel BA(Hons) FCMA is a digital strategist specialising in emerging tech, particularly blockchain and distributed ledger technology. She is COO of City Web Consultants , working on the application of blockchain, AR/VR and machine learning, for blue chip clients in the UK and overseas. Kate’s first job was with an IBM business partner in Denver, back when the AS/400 was a really cool piece of hardware, and the World Wide Web didn’t exist. She has held senior technical and financial roles in businesses across multiple sectors and is a published author of non-fiction and sci-fi. Find out more at  katebaucherel.com

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Sociology of Media and Communication — Social Media

Argumentative Essays About Social Media

This is a comprehensive resource to help you find the perfect social media essay topic. Whether you're navigating the complexities of digital communication, exploring the impact of social media on society, or examining its effects on personal identity, the right topic can transform your essay into a captivating and insightful exploration. Remember, selecting a topic that resonates with your personal interests and academic goals not only makes the writing process more enjoyable but also enriches your learning experience. Let's dive into a world of creativity and critical thinking!

Essay Types and Topics

Below, you'll find a curated list of essay topics organized by type. Each section includes diverse topics that touch on technology, society, personal growth, and academic interests, along with introduction and conclusion paragraph examples to get you started.

Argumentative Essays

Introduction Example: "In the digital age, social media platforms have become central to our daily interactions and self-perception, particularly among teenagers. This essay explores the impact of social media on teen self-esteem, arguing that while it offers a space for expression and connection, it also presents significant challenges to self-image. "

Conclusion Example: "Having delved into the complex relationship between social media and teen self-esteem, it is clear that the digital landscape holds profound effects on individual self-perception. This essay reaffirms the thesis that social media can both uplift and undermine teen self-esteem, calling for a balanced approach to digital engagement."

Introduction Example: "As political landscapes evolve, social media has emerged as a powerful tool for political mobilization and engagement. This essay investigates the role of social media in shaping political movements, positing that it significantly enhances communication and organizational capabilities, yet raises questions about information authenticity. "

Conclusion Example: "Through examining the dual facets of social media in political mobilization, the essay concludes that while social media is a pivotal tool for engagement, it necessitates critical scrutiny of information to ensure a well-informed public discourse."

Compare and Contrast Essays

Introduction Example: "In the competitive realm of digital marketing, Instagram and Twitter stand out as leading platforms for brand promotion. This essay compares and contrasts their effectiveness, revealing that each platform caters to unique marketing strengths due to its specific user engagement and content dissemination strategies. "

Conclusion Example: "The comparative analysis of Instagram and Twitter highlights distinct advantages for brands, with Instagram excelling in visual storytelling and Twitter in real-time engagement, underscoring the importance of strategic platform selection in digital marketing."

Descriptive Essays

Introduction Example: "Today's social media landscape is a vibrant tapestry of platforms, each contributing to the digital era's social fabric. This essay describes the characteristics and cultural significance of current social media trends, illustrating that they reflect and shape our societal values and interactions. "

Conclusion Example: "In portraying the dynamic and diverse nature of today's social media landscape, this essay underscores its role in molding contemporary cultural and social paradigms, inviting readers to reflect on their digital footprints."

Persuasive Essays

Introduction Example: "In an era where digital presence is ubiquitous, fostering positive social media habits is essential for mental and emotional well-being. This essay advocates for mindful social media use, arguing that intentional engagement can enhance our life experiences rather than detract from them. "

Conclusion Example: "This essay has championed the cause for positive social media habits, reinforcing the thesis that through mindful engagement, individuals can navigate the digital world in a way that promotes personal growth and well-being."

Narrative Essays

Introduction Example: "Embarking on a personal journey with social media has been both enlightening and challenging. This narrative essay delves into my experiences, highlighting how social media has influenced my perception of self and community. "

Conclusion Example: "Reflecting on my social media journey, this essay concludes that while it has significantly shaped my interactions and self-view, it has also offered invaluable lessons on connectivity and self-awareness, affirming the nuanced role of digital platforms in our lives."

Engagement and Creativity

As you explore these topics, remember to approach your essay with an open mind and creative spirit. The purpose of academic writing is not just to inform but to engage and provoke thought. Use this opportunity to delve deep into your topic, analyze different perspectives, and articulate your own insights.

Educational Value

Each essay type offers unique learning outcomes. Argumentative essays enhance your analytical thinking and ability to construct well-founded arguments. Compare and contrast essays develop your skills in identifying similarities and differences. Descriptive essays improve your ability to paint vivid pictures through words, while persuasive essays refine your ability to influence and convince. Finally, narrative essays offer a platform for personal expression and storytelling. Embrace these opportunities to grow academically and personally.

Some Easy Argumentative Essay Topics on Social Media

• The Impact of Social Media: Advantages and Disadvantages
• Is Social Media Enhancing or Eroding Our Real-Life Social Skills?
• Should There Be Stricter Regulations on Social Media Content to Protect Youth?
• Social Media's Role in Relationships: Communication Enhancer or Barrier
• Does Social Media Contribute to Political Polarization?
• The Role of Social Media in Shaping Perceptions of Divorce
• The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: Benefit or Harm?
• Can Social Media Be Considered a Reliable Source of News and Information?
• Is Social Media Responsible for the Rise in Cyberbullying?
• Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
• Does Social Media Promote Narcissism and Self-Centered Behaviors?
• The Role of Social Media in Business Marketing: Is It Indispensable?

The Impact of Social Media: Causes and Effects

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Pros and Cons of Social Media: Social Networking

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Social Media Cons and Prons: Evaluating Its Advantages and Disadvantage

The importance of staying safe on social media, impact of social media on our lives, social media: negative effects and addiction, discussion on whether is social media beneficial or harmful for society, negative effects of social media: relationships and communication, social media pros and cons, social media - good and bad sides, a study of the role of social media concerning confidentiality of personal data, how social media causes stereotyping, social media addiction: consequences and strategies for recovery, the role of social media in making us more narcissistic, the effect social media is having on today's society and political atmosphere, digital/social media, censorship in social media, why teenagers are addicted to social media and how it affects them, advantages and disadvantages of social media for society, enormous impact of mass media on children, the role of social media in the current business world, social media is the reason for many of the world’s problems and solutions.

Social media refers to dynamic online platforms that enable individuals to actively engage in the generation and dissemination of various forms of content, including information, ideas, and personal interests. These interactive digital channels foster virtual communities and networks, allowing users to connect, communicate, and express themselves. By harnessing the power of technology, social media platforms provide a space for individuals to share and exchange content, fostering connections and facilitating the flow of information in an increasingly digital world.

In a peculiar manner, the inception of social media can be traced back to May 24, 1844, when a sequence of electronic dots and dashes was manually tapped on a telegraph machine. Although the origins of digital communication have deep historical roots, most contemporary narratives regarding the modern beginnings of the internet and social media often point to the emergence of the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) in 1969. The year 1987 witnessed the establishment of the direct precursor to today's internet, as the National Science Foundation introduced the more robust and expansive NSFNET, a nationwide digital network. A significant milestone occurred in 1997 when Six Degrees, the first genuine social media platform, was launched.

Mark Zuckerberg is a notable figure in the realm of social media as the co-founder and CEO of Facebook. Zuckerberg played a pivotal role in transforming Facebook from a small networking platform for college students into a global social media giant with billions of users. His innovative ideas and strategic decisions have reshaped the way people connect and share information online, making him one of the most influential individuals in the digital age. Jack Dorsey is recognized as one of the key pioneers of social media, notably for co-founding Twitter. Dorsey's creation revolutionized online communication by introducing the concept of microblogging, allowing users to share short messages in real-time. Twitter quickly gained popularity, becoming a powerful platform for news dissemination, public conversations, and social movements. Dorsey's entrepreneurial spirit and vision have contributed significantly to the evolution of social media and its impact on society. Sheryl Sandberg is a prominent figure in the social media landscape, known for her influential role as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Facebook.Sandberg played a crucial part in scaling and monetizing Facebook's operations, transforming it into a global advertising powerhouse. She is also recognized for her advocacy of women's empowerment and leadership in the tech industry, inspiring countless individuals and promoting diversity and inclusion within the social media sphere. Sandberg's contributions have left an indelible mark on the growth and development of social media platforms worldwide.

Social Networking Sites: Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace. Microblogging Platforms: Twitter. Media Sharing Networks: Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat. Discussion Forums and Community-Based Platforms: Reddit and Quora. Blogging Platforms: WordPress and Blogger. Social Bookmarking and Content Curation Platforms: Pinterest and Flipboard. Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat.

Facebook (2004), Reddit (2005), Twitter (2006), Instagram (2010), Pinterest (2010), Snapchat (2011), TikTok (2016)

1. Increased Connectivity 2. Information Sharing and Awareness 3. Networking and Professional Opportunities 4. Creativity and Self-Expression 5. Supportive Communities and Causes

1. Privacy Concerns 2. Cyberbullying and Online Harassment 3. Information Overload and Misinformation 4. Time and Productivity Drain 5. Comparison and Self-Esteem Issues

The topic of social media holds significant importance for students as it plays a prominent role in their lives, both academically and socially. Social media platforms provide students with opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share knowledge with peers, expanding their learning networks beyond the confines of the classroom. It facilitates communication and access to educational resources, allowing students to stay updated on academic trends and research. Additionally, social media enhances digital literacy and prepares students for the realities of the digital age. However, it is crucial for students to develop critical thinking skills to navigate the potential pitfalls of social media, such as misinformation and online safety, ensuring a responsible and balanced use of these platforms.

The topic of social media is worthy of being explored in an essay due to its profound impact on various aspects of society. Writing an essay on social media allows for an in-depth examination of its influence on communication, relationships, information sharing, and societal dynamics. It offers an opportunity to analyze the advantages and disadvantages, exploring topics such as privacy, online identities, social activism, and the role of social media in shaping cultural norms. Additionally, studying social media enables a critical evaluation of its effects on mental health, politics, and business. By delving into this subject, one can gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex and ever-evolving digital landscape we inhabit.

1. Social media users spend an average of 2 hours and 25 minutes per day on social networking platforms. This amounts to over 7 years of an individual's lifetime spent on social media, highlighting its significant presence in our daily lives. 2. Instagram has over 1 billion monthly active users, with more than 500 million of them using the platform on a daily basis. 3. YouTube has over 2 billion logged-in monthly active users. On average, users spend over 1 billion hours watching YouTube videos every day, emphasizing the platform's extensive reach and the power of video content. 4. Social media has become a major news source, with 48% of people getting their news from social media platforms. This shift in news consumption highlights the role of social media in shaping public opinion and disseminating information in real-time. 5. Influencer marketing has grown exponentially, with 63% of marketers planning to increase their influencer marketing budget in the coming year. This showcases the effectiveness of influencers in reaching and engaging with target audiences, and the value brands place on leveraging social media personalities to promote their products or services.

1. Schober, M. F., Pasek, J., Guggenheim, L., Lampe, C., & Conrad, F. G. (2016). Social media analyses for social measurement. Public opinion quarterly, 80(1), 180-211. (https://academic.oup.com/poq/article-abstract/80/1/180/2593846) 2. Appel, G., Grewal, L., Hadi, R., & Stephen, A. T. (2020). The future of social media in marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing science, 48(1), 79-95. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11747-019-00695-1?error=cookies_not_support) 3. Aichner, T., Grünfelder, M., Maurer, O., & Jegeni, D. (2021). Twenty-five years of social media: a review of social media applications and definitions from 1994 to 2019. Cyberpsychology, behavior, and social networking, 24(4), 215-222. (https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/cyber.2020.0134) 4. Ruths, D., & Pfeffer, J. (2014). Social media for large studies of behavior. Science, 346(6213), 1063-1064. (https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.346.6213.1063) 5. Hou, Y., Xiong, D., Jiang, T., Song, L., & Wang, Q. (2019). Social media addiction: Its impact, mediation, and intervention. Cyberpsychology: Journal of psychosocial research on cyberspace, 13(1). (https://cyberpsychology.eu/article/view/11562) 6. Auxier, B., & Anderson, M. (2021). Social media use in 2021. Pew Research Center, 1, 1-4. (https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/04/PI_2021.04.07_Social-Media-Use_FINAL.pdf) 7. Al-Samarraie, H., Bello, K. A., Alzahrani, A. I., Smith, A. P., & Emele, C. (2021). Young users' social media addiction: causes, consequences and preventions. Information Technology & People, 35(7), 2314-2343. (https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ITP-11-2020-0753/full/html) 8. Bhargava, V. R., & Velasquez, M. (2021). Ethics of the attention economy: The problem of social media addiction. Business Ethics Quarterly, 31(3), 321-359. (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/business-ethics-quarterly/article/ethics-of-the-attention-economy-the-problem-of-social-mediaaddiction/1CC67609A12E9A912BB8A291FDFFE799)

Relevant topics

• Media Analysis
• Effects of Social Media
• Sex, Gender and Sexuality
• Discourse Community
• Social Justice
• American Identity
• Sociological Imagination
• Cultural Appropriation

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Essay on Role of Social Media

Students are often asked to write an essay on Role of Social Media in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Role of Social Media

Introduction.

Social media is a powerful tool in our modern world. It connects people globally, allowing us to share ideas, news, and personal updates.

Connecting People

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter connect us with friends and family. They help us stay informed about their lives.

Information and Awareness

Social media is a great source of news and updates. It helps raise awareness about social issues and events happening around the world.

Education and Learning

Social media can be educational. Many educators and experts share knowledge and resources, aiding in learning.

While social media has its drawbacks, its role in connecting people, spreading information, and aiding education is undeniable.

250 Words Essay on Role of Social Media

The advent of social media.

Social media, a revolutionary tool of the 21st century, has transformed the way we communicate, share information, and perceive the world. It has woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives, becoming an indispensable part of our society.

Communication and Information Dissemination

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have made global communication seamless. They allow for instantaneous sharing of ideas, news, and personal experiences. This has democratized information, making it accessible to all, but also poses challenges regarding the spread of misinformation.

Social Activism and Awareness

Social media has become a powerful tool for social activism. Movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo have utilized these platforms to raise awareness, mobilize people, and effect change. However, the risk of ‘slacktivism’ – passive activism without real-world action – is a concern.

Marketing and Business Strategies

Businesses have leveraged social media for marketing, customer engagement, and brand visibility. They can interact directly with consumers, gather feedback, and tailor their strategies accordingly. The rise of influencer marketing is a testament to this new era of digital commerce.

The Double-Edged Sword

While social media has numerous benefits, it also has its drawbacks. Issues such as privacy breaches, cyberbullying, and the detrimental effects on mental health cannot be overlooked.

In conclusion, the role of social media in our lives is multifaceted. It has the potential to be a force for good, fostering global connections, social change, and business innovation. Yet, we must also be mindful of its pitfalls and strive to use it responsibly.

500 Words Essay on Role of Social Media

In the contemporary world, social media has become an integral part of our lives. It has transformed the way we communicate, interact, and perceive the world around us. This essay explores the role of social media, focusing on its impact on personal relationships, public discourse, and business.

Personal Relationships

Social media has drastically altered how we maintain and form relationships. It has enabled us to stay connected with loved ones, irrespective of geographical boundaries. We can share our experiences, milestones, and everyday moments, fostering a sense of closeness. However, this digital connection also has its pitfalls. It can lead to an over-reliance on virtual interactions, potentially undermining the value of face-to-face communication. Moreover, the constant comparison with others’ curated lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.

Public Discourse

Social media has democratized information dissemination, changing the dynamics of public discourse. It has given a platform to voices that were previously marginalized, leading to greater inclusivity. Social movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo have been amplified through social media, leading to significant societal change. However, this freedom also comes with the risk of misinformation and fake news, which can polarize societies and disrupt democratic processes.

Business and Marketing

In the business world, social media has revolutionized marketing strategies. Businesses can now directly engage with their customers, understand their needs, and tailor their services accordingly. It also provides a cost-effective platform for advertising and brand promotion. However, the use of personal data for targeted advertising raises ethical concerns about privacy and consent.

Social media has also played a pivotal role in education, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has facilitated remote learning, enabling students and teachers to stay connected. It also provides a platform for collaborative learning and knowledge sharing. However, the digital divide and the risk of cyberbullying are significant challenges that need to be addressed.

In conclusion, social media, with its profound impact on personal relationships, public discourse, business, and education, has undeniably reshaped our world. Its role is multifaceted and complex, offering both opportunities and challenges. As digital citizens, it is incumbent upon us to navigate this landscape responsibly, leveraging its potential while being mindful of its pitfalls. The future of social media is dynamic and evolving, reflecting our collective aspirations and challenges as a society. As we move forward, it is crucial to foster a balanced and informed approach to social media use, ensuring it serves as a tool for positive change.

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If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Is Social Media Good or Bad
• Essay on Social Media and Youth
• Essay on Influence of Social Media

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Argumentative Social Media

This essay about creating an effective hook for an argumentative essay explores various strategies to engage readers from the outset. It emphasizes the importance of the hook in making a strong first impression and sustaining the reader’s interest throughout the essay. The essay describes several techniques for crafting a compelling hook, including the use of personal anecdotes, startling statistics, rhetorical questions, and poignant quotes from well-known figures. Each method is designed to draw readers into the conversation, making them eager to explore the argument further. The essay underscores the significance of understanding both the topic and the audience to tailor the hook accordingly, ensuring it is both relevant and thought-provoking.

How it works

Starting off an argumentative essay with the right hook is a bit like landing the first punch in a friendly boxing match: it needs to be strong, surprising, and strategic, making sure to grab your reader’s attention and keep them engaged. Think of your hook as the first taste of a meal—it should be delicious enough to intrigue the diner and make them crave more. Let’s break down how to concoct a hook that does just that.

Let’s say you’re writing about the impact of climate change on local communities.

You might kick off with something personal and vivid: “Last year, the rising sea levels turned the streets of my childhood beach town into a wistful underwater museum.” This isn’t just another climate statistic—it’s a snapshot of life altered by environmental change, inviting the reader to view a global issue through a deeply personal lens.

If personal anecdotes aren’t quite right for your topic, striking statistics can do wonders. They throw hard facts into the mix right from the get-go, setting a foundation that’s hard to ignore. For instance, if you’re discussing digital privacy, you might start with, “Imagine waking up to find out that 70% of the apps on your phone could be peeking into your personal life without your clear consent.” It’s a statistic, but it’s also a call to arms, nudging the reader to think about their personal stakes in a broader debate.

Rhetorical questions can also be a dynamite choice. They pull readers into a state of reflection, urging them to ponder the essay’s subject matter before you’ve even presented your argument. An essay on the ethics of animal testing might begin with, “What if the price of your favorite lipstick was not just a few dollars, but a few animal lives as well?” It’s provocative, pushing readers to consider the moral dimensions of everyday choices.

And let’s not underestimate the power of a good quote. A well-chosen line from a notable figure can lend credibility and set the stage for your argument. Opening your discussion on civil liberties with a quote like Benjamin Franklin’s, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety,” frames your argument within a historical context, challenging readers to consider their own values in light of past wisdom.

Ultimately, the secret sauce to crafting an irresistible hook is knowing your topic and your audience well. It’s about sparking curiosity and framing your argument in a way that’s impossible to ignore. Whether you use an anecdote, a startling fact, a rhetorical question, or a poignant quote, your opening should make the reader not just want but need to read on. After all, the best conversations start with a great opening line, and your essay deserves nothing less.

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Essays on Social Responsibility

The importance of sociological theories.

Social responsibility is a modern philosophy that states that all individuals and organizations are obligated to help the community at large. This is typically an active effort involving acting against a social issue or prevention of committing harmful acts to the environment. Many companies and individuals engage in social responsibility because of its benefits on their immediate community as well as their business and profitability. It is an ongoing topic in society with many questions available for discussion.

Argumentative Essay

Social responsibility is an ideal topic for debate; there have been mixed results for companies and individuals who have pursued social responsibility. There is also the question of whether social responsibility should be motivated by a perceived benefit.This type of essay is based on philosophical theories on the necessity of social responsibility backed up with facts about previous social responsibility efforts. For example, an essay could be about how giving support to disaster victims can significantly boost an entity's professional image.

Analytical Essay

Social responsibility is a broad field of study; there are numerous factors to analyze in determining which mix of factors will have the highest chance of a successful social responsibility effort. For example, an author can look into the different types of philanthropy that address a social injustice, including: giving monetary gifts, hosting social awareness events and starting a sub-organization which addresses the issue at hand. Each type of social effort may have varying levels of effectiveness depending on the people’s acceptance and the complexity of the issue itself.

There are an abundant number of social responsibility campaigns enacted by different companies and individuals. Authors choose a particular entity and write a case study about that entity’s social responsibility efforts. This includes researching the motivation behind the effort, analyzing the program execution and judging the overall social impact of the campaign. Moreover, the essay can also highlight how the social responsibility effort directly affected the entity itself. Some common methods include doing a profitability comparison before and after the social responsibility campaign and conducting a qualitative study of how the campaign improves the entity’s image and reputation.

Future Application

Social responsibility is a highly evolving topic. Given the reported indirect benefits of social responsibility, there is a growing argument of how it should become a new form of business. Based on the original philosophy of social responsibility, this type of essay discusses the outlook on the integration of social responsibility in the work force. Some topics include the feasibility of a pure social responsibility company, ways for a single company to efficiently help macro audiences such as third world countries, or the possibility of legally enforcing social responsibility efforts from all companies.

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• "Essays on Efficiency Measurement and Corporate Social Responsibility"; Constantin Belu; 2009
• "Professional Ethics and Social Responsibility"; Daniel E. Wueste; 1994
• "Corporate Social Responsibility"; Philip Kotler; 2005

Raleigh Kung has been a social-media specialist and copywriter since 2010. He has worked with various companies on their online marketing campaigns and keeps a blog about social-media platforms. Now, he mainly writes about online media and education for various websites. Kung holds a master's degree in management and entrepreneurship from the University of San Francisco.

Essay on Social Responsibility

Social responsibility is a term that has been used in different contexts, including the economy, education, politics , and religion. Social responsibility is challenging because it encompasses so many aspects, and there is no single definition of social responsibility. In simple words, social responsibility is the responsibility of an individual to act in a way that promotes social well-being. This means that a person has a sense of obligation to society and sacrifices for the good of others. BYJU’S essay on social responsibility explains the importance of being a socially responsible citizen.

A society’s responsibility to the individuals in that society can be seen through the various social programmes and laws. Governments try to create a better world for their citizens, so they implement various social programmes like welfare, tax assistance, and unemployment benefits. Laws are also crucial to a society because they enforce practical actions by its citizens and punish harmful actions. Now, let us understand the significance of social responsibility by reading a short essay on social responsibility.

Importance of Social Responsibility

BYJU’S essay on social responsibility highlights the importance of doing good deeds for society. The short essay lists different ways people can contribute to social responsibility, such as donating time and money to charities and giving back by visiting places like hospitals or schools. This essay discusses how companies can support specific causes and how people can be actively involved in volunteering and organisations to help humanitarian efforts.

Social responsibility is essential in many aspects of life. It helps to bring people together and also promotes respect for others. Social responsibility can be seen in how you treat other people, behave outside of work, and contribute to the world around you. In addition, there are many ways to be responsible for the protection of the environment, and recycling is one way. It is crucial to recycle materials to conserve resources, create less pollution, and protect the natural environment.

Society is constantly changing, and the way people live their lives may also vary. It is crucial to keep up with new technology so that it doesn’t negatively impact everyone else. Social responsibility is key to making sure that society is prosperous. For example, social media has created a platform for people to share their experiences and insights with other people. If a company were going to develop a new product or service, it would be beneficial for them to survey people about what they think about the idea before implementing it because prior knowledge can positively impact future decisions.

Social responsibility is essential because it creates a sense of responsibility to the environment . It can lead to greater trust among members of society. Another reason is that companies could find themselves at a competitive disadvantage if they do not ensure their practices are socially responsible. Moreover, companies help people in need through money, time, and clothing, which is a great way to showcase social responsibility.

Being socially responsible is a great responsibility of every human being, and we have briefly explained this in the short essay on social responsibility. Moreover, being socially responsible helps people upgrade the environment and society. For more essays, click on BYJU’S kids learning activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does being socially responsible help in protecting the environment.

Yes. Being socially responsible helps in protecting the environment.

Why should we be socially responsible?

We should be socially responsible because it is the right thing to upgrade society and the environment. Another reason is to help those in need because when more people have jobs, the economy can thrive, and people will have more opportunities.

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