Effects of Social Media on Society

Social refers to community-based communications platforms that enhance interaction, collaboration, and content-sharing. To illustrate, the social media may involve applications and websites such as microblogging, forums, social bookmarking, social networking, wikis, and social curation among other forms of communication platforms (Mehraj et al. 60). On the other hand, the above technology is useful in mass media communication activities that are done through the press, print media, advertising, photography, broadcasting, cinema, and publishing (Abdulahi et al. 6). Generally, the media ensure that community members are always updated about different lifestyles, news, advertisements, entertainments, and social activities irrespective of their geographical differences (Zeitel-Bank & Tat 3). Indeed, Mehraj et al. and Amedie have offered varied views regarding the impacts of media towards the community members. 

Summary of the Article: Mehraj, Hakim Khalid, Akhtar Neyaz Bhat, and Hakeem Rameez Mehraj. “Impacts of Media on Society: A Sociological Perspective.” International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, vol. 3, n.6, 2014, pp. 56-64.

According to Mehraj et al., the media have affected society in positive ways. First, this innovation seems to make the world closer and smaller. In particular, the presence of media has out many people together in the entire universe. The above authors give an example of a scenario where a group of people watches matches, games, and sport on television, hence, feeling as being the part of the congregation in the stadium (Abdulahi et al. 4). Correspondingly, it occurs that media makes it easy to experience emotions of the occasions happening anywhere in the world, thereby, leading to an aspect where people feels that the entire universe is one big family (Mehraj et al. 57). On the same note, these writers hold that media is essential is it creates a platform where people familiarize themselves with different products such as television, refrigerators and washing machines among many more goods and services that are seen in advertisements. 

Moreover, Mehraj et al. indicate that the media have a positive influence on children’s lives. To illustrate, these researchers hold that watching television need the same amount of time like that utilized at school or staying with family members and friends (Zeitel-Bank & Tat 2). In this case, media platforms such as television and radios seem to offer helpful debates that impact the listeners’ behaviors in a positive manner (Mehraj et al. 58). In consideration with the above information, it occurs that media is a useful tool for educating kids about how they can relate to each other in an effective and peaceful manner. 

Mehraj et al. also denote that mass media is a useful tool for promoting the distribution of products and services. Conversely, these authors argue that mass media is commonly utilized by the consumer industry to inform the clients about goods and services available in the market through promotion and advertisements. These researchers hold that were it not for advertisement, it would be hard for the community members to familiarize themselves with different products and services that are present in the market. Indeed, Mehraj et al. add that the media aid the consumer to compare prices offered by various producers and sellers. In consideration of the above information, it occurs that media helps to connect the consumers and manufacturers as well as industries (Zeitel-Bank & Tat 2). Similarly, the media acts as a source of information and entertainment. Based on Mehraj et al., the mass media such as radio, television, and internet are confirmed as the best means of entertainment and they also play a role of informing the community members about different activities happening all over the universe (Abdulahi et al. 8). In relation to the above statement, it is clear that the media keeps people updated about things that occur around the world. 

In addition, the article by Mehraj and the fellows have also provided various roles played by the media. For instance, these authors show that the above technology is essential for offering information and news needed by the community members as well as educating people about different things. Furthermore, the media is a useful tool for promoting democracy within the community since the members of the society are capable of familiarizing themselves with government rules and policies through the above platforms (Zeitel-Bank & Tat 4). In a like manner, the media helps the national administration to gather community views regarding a given law, hence, managing to make the necessary changes. Nevertheless, the media can operate as an agent of change development as well enhancing industry and trade via promotion (Mehraj et al. 57). In summary, Mehraj et al. show that media can contribute to positive changes within the community. 

Summary of the Article: Amedie, Jacob. “The Impact of Social Media on Society,” 2015, pp. 1-20.

Amedie have discussed both positive and negative effects of media. In the first place, this author denotes that social media is an innovation that empowers power by providing them with lots of information. To illustrate, Amedie says that in the contemporary world social media seem to have a greater impact on the national economy and culture as well as the overall universe. For instance, this innovation seems to enable people to connect with each other, share ideas, offer guidance, seek advice and mobilize resources (Abdulahi et al. 17). Still, Amedie holds that social media depletes communication barriers and establish decentralized interaction channel and create opportunities for individuals to take part in various activities meant for promoting democracy (Zeitel-Bank & Tat 3). Nevertheless, Amedie states that social media is an outlet that confines a broad range formal, spontaneous, unscholarly, informal, and scholarly writings. Based on the above information, media enable groups with common interests to work together during educational projects (Amedie 11). In connection with the above information, the media enhances collaboration and creativity since it involves many commentators to interact while discussing different issues concerning the economy, education, relationships, health, race, and politics among others. 

On the other hand, Amedie indicates that media can affect the community members in a negative manner. For example, the media seem to erode people’s culture since it brings about discrimination. At this point, this scientific innovation robs people comfort and trust placed in each other and instead replace human emotional and physical support as well as human fellowship with a virtual connection (Zeitel-Bank & Tat 5). Similarly, social media also seem to have the capability of making human be unable to control themselves and fail to think independently (Amedie 13). At this point, the online users are confirmed to have a tendency of subscribing to any group that publishes perverse information that only amuses their sense but they fail to consider the negative implications of such messages or posts. 

Furthermore, the media makes the community members be antisocial generations since it eliminates physical bonds between different individuals. Amedie dictates that most people in contemporary life prefer to text conversations and online chat rather than attending meetings (Zeitel-Bank & Tat 6). The above behavior has replaced physical interaction since people believe that they can conveniently boost discussions on various platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook (Amedie 17). With regard to the above information, Amedie states that social media contribute to a scenario where people opt to convey information instead of humanity. 

More importantly, Amedie harnesses confidential information from other scholars, hence, being able to communicate the views of other researchers concerning the negative implications of social media. In this case, Amedie affirms that the above innovation is fostering a fabricated sense of online interaction as well as superficial friendships that contribute to psychological and emotional problems (Zeitel-Bank & Tat 3). Moreover, the social media can be addicting, thereby, taking away personal and family life as well as depleting interpersonal capabilities, a thing that can, in turn, contribute antisocial behaviors (Abdulahi et al. 7). Additionally, Amedie shows that media is used as a tool for terrorists, predators, and criminals since it provides them with the capability of carrying illegal activities without fearing (Amedie 16). Besides, Amedie argues that social media offers users with the opportunity to establish superficial connections and create false identities, support criminal acts and contribute to health complications such as depression. 

Weighing In the Article by Amedie and Mehraj et al. 

Through analyzing the articles by Amedie and Mehraj, it occurs that both the article provides different perception about the implication of media. To illustrate, Mehraj et al. have focused on the positive side of the media, hence, opting to discuss the advantages of the above scientific innovation (Amedie 18).  In particular, Mehraj et al. state that media is helpful since it connects individuals from different parts of the world and it acts a source of information, thereby, keeping the community members updated about things happening all over the universe. Moreover, Mehraj et al. (60) adds that media have other benefits such as enhancing democracy; acting as a source of education; entertaining people; operating  as an agent of development; promoting industry and trade through advertisements; bringing about positive social transformations; and enhancing effectual interactions between the society and the government during the process of changing national programmes and policies. 

On the other hand, Amedie have carried out a vital role in helping the audience to understand both positive and negative effects of social media. In the illustration, these authors highlight the various benefits of the media including fostering the exchange of ideas; enabling people to connect with each other; establishing decentralized communications; and promoting democracy in the community (Zeitel-Bank & Tat 2). Still, Amedie indicates that media accommodate all sorts of individuals irrespective of their differences, a thing that in turn boost collaboration and creativity (Amedie 7). In relation to the above information, Amedie says that media have various negative effects such as promoting criminal activities; depleting self-control; leading to the creation of anti-social generations; and contributing to fake identities as well as leading to psychological and emotional problems. 

To conclude, although the above articles have not provided a comprehensive understanding of the effects of the media towards the society, I hold that Amedie have tried the level best to compile unbiased information about the topic at hand. Indeed, this author has given both the negative and positive effects of the media, hence, offering the readers with the opportunity to decide whether to continue relying on media or not. In relation to the above information, Mehraj et al.’s context could have matched with that of Amedie if the authors of this editorial could have enlightened the audience about the disadvantages of media. Otherwise, both articles are supposed to show the effects of media of nutrition, culture, marriages among other factors in order to make the community have a comprehensive understanding of the way media can affect them. 

Works Cited

Abdulahi, Aida, Behrang Samadi, and Behrooz Gharleghi. “A Study on the Negative Effects of Social Networking Sites Such as Facebook among Asia Pacific University Scholars in Malaysia.” International Journal of Business and Social Science, 2014, vol. 5, no.10, pp. 1-13. 

Amedie, Jacob. “The Impact of Social Media on Society,” 2015, pp. 1-20.

Mehraj, Hakim Khalid, Akhtar Neyaz Bhat, and Hakeem Rameez Mehraj. “Impacts of Media on Society: A Sociological Perspective.” International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, vol. 3, n.6, 2014, pp. 56-64. 

Zeitel-Bank, Natascha, and Ute Tat. “Social Media and its Effects on Individuals and Social Systems.” Journal Management, Knowledge, and Learning, 2014, pp. 1-8