Social Media Impact: Is It Destroying Society? What Are the Pros & Cons?

Details

Greetings,

I have about 300 friends on my social media friend list, but only a handful of them do I keep in touch with and have regular interactions with via texting and video calls. Also, these days, when I go to restaurants as a solo diner, there are many diners like myself, and almost every one of them eats while looking at their mobile phone screens, either watching videos or simply scrolling. Is this normal? Or is it a manifestation of some epidemic of loneliness?

But still, maybe I am one of the lucky ones who have some fond memories of going into a phone booth and making a phone call to friends. That feeling of anxiously biting my nails while hoping to hear a familiar voice over the cold metal cable and heavy receiver. And make a schedule over the phone like, "See you at 11 am next Saturday!"

Social media emerged during the early 2000s, and then it really became popularized during the 2010s. This virtual space is believed to have its unique traits, namely volatility, disruptiveness, democracratizing information, multiple identities, accessibility, and connectability. And its shadow is exactly as strong as its shining light: fake news, non-commitment, addiction, mental health issues, extremism, and cyberbullying.

Here is what we can do to counter it though,

Why don't you join me to fend off this growing epidemic of digitalisation in all human experience and interaction over a cuppa or two?

[Questions]

- How do you feel about social media?

- Does Social Media benefit you in some way?

- Can it help the self to build a strong identity?

- Can it help to build a strong community?

- What are the disadvantages of engaging with Social Media?

- What are the advantages?

- Is social media addictive?

- Is there a power dynamics within Digital Space? If so who are the feudal lords and slaves? Or power is evenly distributed?

- Recent studies show Online Dating such as Tinder is not so fashionable among zen G. Why is that?