Social media on communication and relationships by Atilade Faith.

Social media on communication and relationships.

Social media is an effective tool for communication and as much as it is effective it has both positive and negative impacts on relationships and communication. It helps people stay connected from anywhere and anytime but it also allows less quality in-person time; that is you can’t have a gathering without half of the people there engaging their phones and social media apps. According to Margaret E. Morris, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of To Our Own Devices: Outsmarting Smart Technology to Reclaim Our Relationships, Health, and Focus, it is not the specific type of technology people use but how they use that can bring value to the relationship. 

Here are some ways in which social media has impacted communication and connectivity: 

Social media has made it easier for people to stay connected with friends, family, and acquaintances, regardless of location. It also helps people to communicate better and well depending on how it is used. One example according to Morris is a parent sharing a self-help app with a child to work through an argument. Using such social media tools, and texting through an argument, may also help some people communicate through writing. This allows a person time and space to develop the right words when face-to-face conversations prove difficult.

Enhanced social support: Social media provides a platform for people to seek and receive support from their networks during times of need.

Increased exposure to diverse perspectives: Social media can expose people to new ideas and viewpoints, leading to more open-mindedness and cultural awareness

Dissemination of information: Social media for the rapid spread of news and information, which can be both positive and negative, and true or not. It is left for us to properly discern which information to feed on.

Increased opportunities as people now widely share tips, pro tips, and information on how to go about certain things and get things done.

Social media also provides a platform for negative behaviours such as cyberbullying, and harassment. It also has an impact on self-esteem and perception. People now compare themselves and think they are not enough or doing enough.

Overall, social media has both positive, negative effects on communication and relationships. It is a tool that can improve our relationships and communication if used wisely by being careful of its potential opportunities and challenges.

References
https//:medicalnewstoday.com