Social Media: Builder or Destroyer?

Sometimes, I can't help but wonder what the world would be like without social media. We have several of them today, in varying forms, serving different uses and purposes. Social media exists in our world today as a part and parcel of the modern world. Certainly, one of the characteristics of the modern world; which is a digitally and technologically driven one is social media.

This technological development is one with two sides; where it's viewed as a negative effect with far reaching effect on the users. The other side is that which praises it as a much-needed blessing to the world and livelihood. For some reason, this is a good question for debate. What can be said then, that social media builds or rather destroys?

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As stated, there are two sides to this concern. Social media has been undeniably a great development in our technological and digital world. In fact, the reason many are here in Hive could be traced to a role or two that social media played. Perhaps, strolling their way in the streets of social media, they somehow bumped into Hive and today, they're a part of it, enjoying it.

Social media has played a great role in building me. Through it, I was able to locate and learn soft skills which are currently a blessing to me. I remember during a strike action some years back, while just strolling around; on social media of course. I came across a Digital Skill Acquisition Program. Without hesitation, I registered. Today, it benefits me. And you know what's more? I got to learn more and grow in these skills via social media again.

It has built me beyond this point mentioned. I've attended courses online which have helped to inform and build me in what they presented. All because social media provided a platform to relay the information. I can't fail to mention how information has been made readily available and accessible through social media spaces. Meta AI and Grok which are features of social media platforms provides me with readily available information. ChatGPT is even on WhatsApp.

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Being a digitally inclined person, I can continue to say how much social media has contributed to my growth, finance, learning, development and all. I've attended several meetings and life-changing sessions on the social media space. It's a continual blessing, which is what it was meant to be indeed. But you know, even the most beautiful things or intentions can still be misused and abused. That's the case with social media.

I look at the social media spaces and the level of toxicity found there, and I can't help but feel like it could be somewhat eradicated or so. At this point, I see the destructive nature of the spaces and it's something that irks me. Youth who should be figuring out what is to become of their lives are found there doing a lot of inappropriate things, chasing clout and whatever. It's really disheartening when I see these things.

Though social media was meant to be a blessing to us, the abuse and misuse have rendered it a destructive tool. It's what we can consider risky for a young mind going into these spaces. What they see can make or break them. I would have loved to say it's a 50/50 chance but the surge in destructive content and all makes me think twice. You have to be intentional to get the benefits social media offers. For me, it has helped to build me, but it wasn't totally without some destructive episodes.

Thank you for reading through!