Question

Point out several ways in which mass media and social media improve or enhance life. Point out several ways in which they pose problems or challenges for life today.

Answer 1

• Social media and mass media have become an integral part of our lives which has not only enhanced our lives but become problematic as well.
• It has definitely brought the world closer and made information easily accessible.We can access information from any part of the world and broaden our knowledge base.With so much being blogged and written on social sites, then curated and shared proactively, the volume of content has grown exponentially.Now, there is no shortage of viewpoints and sources from which we can draw our own conclusions about what is really happening in the world.
• Connectivity between people has increased.We can communicate with people from different part of the world and share common interests and have discussions.Also we are easily able to connect and keep in touch with our family and friends as well.
• The voices have become globalized.We just have to login on a social media platform and express our point of view and people will immediately react to it.Making a difference by sharing one's opinions and opening one'e heart, in the world has become easier.It has become remarkably easier to connect with so many people,be it for a social issue or just showing love for a celebrity.
• Even for starting new businesses,social media has provided a good platform.Now, a small company can achieve global reach within days of launching their business,if everything goes right,just by a video in which opinions are shared which spreads like wildfire over the internet.
• With the good,comes bad as well.Social media currently is doing more harm than good,by making people overly dependent on it that people have lost the human,face to face contact with each other.Everyone is busy uploading pictures of themselves,worrying about views and likes,which is making young teenagers and adults,depressed.
• Political parties are misusing it to brain wash people,by posting fake articles,writing things expressing pseudo nationalism and creating communal hatred among people.The source of all this is difficult to identify,which is why people believe it so easily.
• People are hiding behind anonymity and fake profiles,trying to create religious hatred,stalking people,cyber bullying etc.And also no action is being taken for all this,the problems are just grwoing day by day,affecting our lives adversely.