Social Media - A Boon or a Bane?

Social media has become a part and parcel of everyday life. Day and night, our phones, tablets, and other gadgets ping, buzz, ring, and beep their way in to get our attention. On an average, a person spends over 2.5 hours on social media each day. Now, the real question is, is social media a boon or a bane? 

Social Media as a Boon

The impact of social media on the world has led to a close-knit culture, with no geographical barriers whatsoever. People residing thousands of kilometers apart can be contacted with the click of a button. Distant friends, extended family, loved ones, are only a message or call away. The positives of social media have particularly become evident during the past year when despite the pandemic-induced lockdown forcing people to remain within four walls, consistent communication with near and dear ones has helped one sustain their sanity.  

Social Media as a Bane

Coming to the flip side, teenagers and adults are so engrossed in their screens that they barely have time for conversing in person. With the constant need to stay on the grid, we humans live in a virtual world, looking for 24 X 7 validation. The round-the-clock selfies, status updates, chatting, and messaging, has distanced people far from reality. The façade of happiness on social media is leading to an increased amount of depression and anxiety, where one is perpetually envious of the lives portrayed by people on online platforms. 

Balancing Act

The line between association and addiction to social media is blurry. The powerful temptation of online platforms urges a person to stick in the virtual world, making them withdrawn from actuality. What one needs to understand is, all good things are propitious, but only when taken in the appropriate dosage. Likewise, the usage of social media should be regulated in order to make it a blessing, not a curse, a means to connect and not a distraction from reality. Hence, before trouble comes knocking at your doors, check your screen time, and make sure to keep social media close, but your loved ones closer.