Anushka Reddy Week 9: Power and Influence of Social Media in Recent Times


Modern times have seen a rise in the popularity of technology. Social media has a huge impact on and dependency on our generation. There are many different ways that social media has power over us and shapes our thoughts and beliefs. 

First is the role of social media in political movements. Social media can help bring and raise more awareness of the movement or organization. Additionally, it facilitates protest planning and broadens its audience. Furthermore, it also fosters an interconnected global community. However, the potential for misinformation also raises concerns about the impact of social media on the quality of public discourse.


Social media also elevates the influence of celebrities. It allows for more influencer marketing and direct fan engagement. It has transformed traditional notions of fame and allowed individuals to build personal brands independently. However, this heightened visibility also exposes celebrities to scrutiny and public opinion, which fuels debates on the blurred line between private and public life in the age of social media.


Lastly, cyberbullying has gained much more power during this time due to the persuasive nature of social media. Although there is a clear power dynamic between the bully and victim in traditional in-school bullying, cyberbullying online also depicts a power dynamic through anonymity and distance.  Individuals think it's easier to escape, thus it's becoming more and more popular. Cyberbullying has a large impact on mental health, mainly because most believe they cannot speak up about it.


The rise of technology, particularly social media, has significantly impacted our generation, influencing political movements, celebrity influence, and cyberbullying and many more. While it has made things easier, there are negative effects and misinformation that comes with social media.


How Social Media Is Shaping Political Campaigns


The Rise of the Social Media Influencer


The concept of “power” in cyberbullying

Comments

  1. Keshavi KanagalingamJanuary 21, 2024 at 9:56 AM

    Hi Anushka!
    I enjoyed reading your blog about the rise in the use of social media and the power it has to impact several different things, including politics, the influence of celebrities, and cyberbullying. I appreciate the structure and organization of your blog, which was done by separating the different topics mentioned in your blog into distinct paragraphs and using transitioning phrases. It made your blog both easy to follow and easy to understand!

    I completely agree with your idea that technology, specifically social media, is something that has been increasing in popularity due to the dependence our generation and the generation of those younger than us have on it. In my case, I have found myself using social media daily for many different purposes, such as simply for entertainment or for updates on current issues worldwide.

    Because social media is easily accessible to people, the impact it has on various aspects of our lives is large. In addition to what you mentioned in your blog, I believe that social media has the power to cut the childhoods of those in the younger generation short. This is because when a child is on social media, they tend to see things that are meant for or promoted toward audiences that are significantly older than them. Children can also be influenced to follow trends that are not necessarily age-appropriate through spending time on social media.

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  2. JaydenJanuary 24, 2024 at 4:14 PM

    I thought reading your blog was very insightful and impactful, especially in an era when social media can be so influencing. One of the more prominent uses of social media, as you mentioned, was for popularizing social and political movements. One example would be the BLM movement, which spread like wildfire due to it being all over the news + social media. With just the click of a button, you could spread something that could be seen by millions of people, whereas back then people read about stuff in the newspapers, which was painstakingly slow. This could also be a negative thing, as fake news and misinformation could be spread around as well. The last thing that you mentioned was that social media has also been a source of many cases of cyberbullying. There have been many studies showing that people tend to do things online that they would not do in real life just because they are anonymous behind a screen. There have been cases of cyberbullying so extreme, that in some cases the victims have committed suicide. This has led to the increasing importance of teaching children to use the internet in a safe way, which is why our schools have presentations on using the internet safely so much now. Overall, your blog post was very well structured, easy to read, and full of information.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Siri VenkatagiriJanuary 24, 2024 at 8:47 PM

    Hi Anushka,
    I found your blog topic interesting as it is not often that anyone talks about social media subconsciously influencing our lives in many different ways. The power of different social media forms over so many teenage users' lives is often accepted, but never publicly acknowledged. Although social media is a fantastic way to bring awareness to political and social issues, as you mentioned, these platforms are often so unregulated that it is impossible for misinformation to not be rapidly spread. The prominence of celebrities or influences on social media on teen lives also comes with its own list of negatives. Although many people, including myself, find it stress-relieving to watch content posted by our comfort creators on social media, it is ultimately just a way for brands to make a name for themselves with our generation. Although social media has many benefits, such as entertainment, political awareness, and virtual communication, it is always beneficial to keep in mind that social media is not a first-hand source of information, and not everything posted on these platforms is true.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Syrine Ben AyedMarch 8, 2024 at 8:08 PM

    Hi Anushka!! Your blog's logical structure, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the impact of social media, made it really easy to follow and understand your perspective. I enjoyed your authentic portrayal of social media as a double-edged sword with both its positive and negative impacts. Further, I agree that while social media has the potential for connection and empowerment, it also poses significant challenges that must be addressed. Despite its cons, I believe social media itself is not inherently harmful. It’s ultimate power and impact lie in our own hands, and the principles we choose to uphold in our online interactions. Whether we use social media for the pointless aim of spreading negativity and putting others down, or rather leverage it as a force for positive change, at the end of the day, the responsibility falls on us as individuals to make conscientious choices. Overall, as we navigate this multifaceted digital landscape, I believe it's essential to remain as critical consumers of information, to cultivate empathy and respect in our online interactions, and to advocate for policies and practices that prioritize the well-being of all users.

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