Social Media Connects People

We depend primarily on technology in our daily lives in this era of globalisation. We rely on
technology for almost everything, especially social media, because it provides us with a large
platform in which we express ourselves. Social media are online groups and networks that allow
users to develop and exchange information, ideas, hobbies, and other forms of expression. The big
question is, does social media leads people to isolation? In our opinion, we oppose to the statement
that social media leads people to isolation. We think that social media is a medium where people
connect with one another.

Social media surely has its pros and cons; however, we think that social media has more pros
compared to cons. First and foremost, it allows communication between people. Social media
provides a platform for users to be more flexible in terms of time and places to interact with one
another. Especially during this pandemic, people are more dependent on social media compared to
before, particularly youngsters like us use social media to interact with their friends and family. For
example, during the lockdown phases in order for us to keep in touch we use apps like WhatsApp
and Facebook to send messages and even video call each other because they can't communicate
directly or face to face.

Secondly, social media helps to expand business platform. Individuals use social media to
broaden their range of contacts in order for their business expansion. Social media acts as a platform
where businessmen promote their product or their company services to the users of the internet to
increase their sales. For instance, as you scroll on applications such as Instagram or TikTok, there will
be advertisements that will come across your feeds, and people will get in contact with the seller or
the company to get more information about the product and to buy the product directly. Everything
can easily be done through social media, and people would not have to worry about the distance in
order to interact with one another. Even though you’re located in Malaysia, you can still buy
products from South Korea with the help of social media.

Social media has a lot of benefits, the only drawback to it is that someone could most
probably be cyberbullied. Nowadays, people can express whatever they want on social media as it is
their rights, people also have the right to express their comments on other people post on social
media. We can see that many cases of cyberbullying are going around the internet. As a result, one's
mental health may be jeopardised, leading to depression and, in the worst-case scenario, suicide.
Those who are cyberbullied will have a negative impact on their social lives, and they will neglect
those around them, particularly their friends and family. For example, simply posting pictures and
videos online to share happy moments can quickly turn into a nightmare, as one may receive
comments such as being fat-shamed or being called names.

In conclusion, social media does not lead people to isolation but instead it helps to connect
people. Social media could everyone closer and it will strengthen the bond between one another.
Therefore, social media should be utilized by all groups regardless of age.