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Introduction
The perspectives on the creation and development of social media vary depending on the lens utilized to analyze the event. While humanities and history lenses are perhaps some of the most widely-known and widespread points of perspective, others offer valuable and unique insights. Social and applied sciences view technological developments through the prism of astronomy, geology, chemistry, physics, and biology, and some cross-disciplines like oceanography, environmental science, and computer sciences. Additional areas of inquiry include political and anthropological studies. This essay will evaluate social media from the perspective of these two lenses.
Lens Analysis
Social Lens
The social lens connects the development of social media in its present form with the development of democracy and a need for information as a means of change. The 21st century saw many social movements rise to improve the situation of the underprivileged, minorities, women, and others (Sudarmanto & Meliala, 2020). The first decade was colored in multiple revolutions against totalitarian regimes in the Middle East. Hong Kong protests made use of social media for propaganda and coordination. On the other side, social media was used to propagate false beliefs and information, as a tool in political warfare and as a means of gathering intelligence on individuals (Sudarmanto & Meliala, 2020). Thus, the influence of social media was ambivalent but not outside of the historical paradigm. Other forms of media were used in similar ways throughout the history of humankind. Social media is a powerful information tool but can be used both for good and evil.
Applied Science Lens
From the position of applied sciences, a curious aspect involving social media relates to the users physical and psychological health. Modern-day individuals spend more time browsing the media than anyone else before them, with an average of 3-4 hours, and going as far as up to 16 (Guinta & John, 2018). At the same time, the recommended time to be spent using the computer or any other type of technology with social media access is around 45 minutes 1 hour a day (Guinta & John, 2018). The overuse of technology has a significant impact on ones cognitive abilities. Users tend to suffer from worsening eyesight, poor sleeping patterns, oversaturation with blue light, and various health problems associated with the practice perpetrated by the addictive nature of social media.
Overuse of social media gives rise to a myriad of psychological problems as well. It could develop into an addictive habit, which impairs normal day-to-day functioning. The lack of face-to-face relationships results in the loss of social skills, poor communication with peers, and unnecessary drama between individuals (Guinta & John, 2018). It also opens a new avenue for cyberbullying and the pursuit of victims by perpetrators outside of normal spaces of social interaction, such as schools. With social media sites being notoriously absent in oversight and censorship, it becomes easy to harass targets unmolested (Guinta & John, 2018). In short, social media, for all of its benefits, also contributes to a significant number of physical and psychological-related deficiencies for modern generations.
Conclusion
Social media is a powerful political tool for both progressive and reactionary forces. It was demonstrated in the past 20 years that it could be used to spark revolutions and drive social change, as well as a tool to suppress and deceive large groups of people, like it was done during the US election campaigns of 2016, 2020, as well as Brexit. From the applied science lens, social media and technology affiliated with it introduced a myriad of new health hazards that are largely lacking in recognition in the medical field, meaning a significant lack of interventions against them. The benefits of social media, thus, are offset by the potential hazards it introduces.
References
Guinta, M. R., & John, R. M. (2018). Social media and adolescent health. Pediatric Nursing, 44(4), 196-201.
Sudarmanto, B., & Meliala, A. (2020). Harmful discourse on social media: The triggering factors of persecution acts in post-truth era. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 14(1), 236-253.
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