Social media has been around for a long time – long enough for us to understand how it has started to negatively impact our society and people. Social media networks were created as a mode of entertainment. However, in today’s world, they impact nearly everything we do. Whereas social media does have some positive effects such as connectivity, the spread of information and updates, creation of communities, complete access, support, and mutual accountability, increased availability, easy promotion all over the world, enhanced customer experience, and the like, there comes a time when the negative effects start to outweigh the positive effects. The problems posed are here to stay and it is time for us to make a decision. Everyone uses social media around us. In fact, most businesses rely on social media for the promotion of their products. That is why it is essential to understand the power social media networks own over us.
In this article, we will understand how social media networks are affecting us and what are the solutions and alternatives, if any. Read on:
The negative Impacts of Social Media:
1. Time Management:
It is easy to lose track of time on social media. It is to be noted that social media networks have been designed in such a way so that users spend a maximum of their time engaging online.
Also Read: Steps To Grow Your Email Marketing List
2. Mental Health:
Studies have shown that social media networks can negatively impact the mental health of its user. Continuous distraction leads to a shorter attention span and causes a lot of stress. Moreover, this kind of stress and the need for constant validation online can cause other physical and mental ailments that in turn impact the productivity of an individual.
3. Misinformation and False Information:
On social media, fake news tend to spread like wildfire. This fact has the potential to shatter brand images in a matter of seconds. The time a company takes to build an ideal brand image online can be tarnished without any warning. False, misleading, and confusing online content can cause serious harm to a brand’s reputation and can upset its customers. Cyberbullying: Internet bullying is common nowadays and has turned out to be a growing, persistent issue. A shocking statistic is that around 87% of young people have seen cyberbullying occurring online. It can include aggressive and unpleasant emails and leads to high levels of stress amongst employees.
4. Unrealistic Expectations:
A lot of times, brands end up measuring their success based on the number of likes and shares they have received on social media. This may or may not be an ideal way. Additionally, there is no way to know if an account is legitimate. Social media tends to be a farce.
5. Unhealthy Sleep Patterns:
Studies also show that using too much of social media leads to anxiety, depression, and can lead to poor sleep. Unproductivity becomes common at such times.
6. Addiction:
It is easy to become addicted to different kinds of social networks. It works on the basis of the ‘attention economy’. Excess of anything is bad and getting addicted to social media has long-lasting impacts which might be difficult to reverse.
Also Read: Best WordPress Affiliate Plugins
7. Mistake:
Whatever is on the web, stays there forever. This is why, if a brand ends up making a mistake online, it is difficult to move on from it. Additionally, it is also difficult to rectify the same.
8. Scam:
Like mentioned before, there is no way to test the authenticity of a profile online. More and more scams are available in today’s world than one can count. Often, people are the victim of such scams and there is no way to track the perpetrators down and do good to the victim. Moreover, it should not be forgotten that it is easy to fall prey to these scams.
What are the solutions?
Having your own social network or creating a private network is an ideal way to ensure that the above listed adverse impact is curbed. When it comes to companies and brands, private networks are specially designed to provide a high level of performance, security, and flexibility.
When social networks are created with like-minded people or a closed group of people, it ensures that the flow of information and the communication that takes place is high-quality and relevant. This means that there is no place for scam, cyberbullying, and other such realities. With this, the mental health of participants can be taken care of through constant monitoring. The chances of the spread of false information reduce greatly. Lastly, time can be managed effectively because only important information is shared and there is a reduced chance of sharing irrelevant data that may not be productive for members.
The benefits do not end here.
Having a private social network also leads to:
1. Improved Security:
Data is protected in a better way in these networks. Companies and brands can ensure that their sensitive information does not leak online and thereby a high level of security are provided to both – members and the information shared.
2. Better Communication:
These networks lead to better conversations amongst its members. Brands can talk about their products effectively and such information can be grasped by an attentive audience efficiently. Also, employees can now interact with members of staff in an official, private environment.
3. Community and Engagement:
Organizations can create digital communities to correspond with others online. Such interactions can be shared in a single space. Moreover, when your information is directed at a relevant audience, it leads to better engagement and sales.
4. Control:
It becomes difficult to access control in public networks. Private networks are usually clear on the concept of control and this leads to better management overall of strategies and networking amongst professionals. A high degree of control promotes secure, regulated conversations between its members.
We hope you now have a clear idea about the adverse effects of social media networks on your brand and why you should opt for private spaces online. Thank you for reading!
Interesting Reads:
Importance of Micro Community Websites
How To Build A Micro-Community Website In Just a Few Minutes
How to Establish Trust in your Marketplace Community?
Free Ways to Gain Instant Website Traffic
Factors to Consider Before Hiring a Web Development Firm for an Ecommerce Venture
