STAGE 1 RESEARCH PRACTICES TASK 4

CLASS QUESTION:

“Is the control of information by social media platforms harmful for society?

INTRODUCTION
“Is the control of information by social media platforms harmful for society?” The harm caused to society by the control of
information from social media platforms has continued to increase with frequent online activity playing a bigger role in our daily
lives as they become the main building block for a person’s social status. The evolvement of these platforms over time has
harmed both the mental and physical wellbeing of its users, with the algorithms specifically designed to target our interests,
leading to a preference in online communication. The decreased face-to-face interactions cuts off a supportive and healthy
environment amongst schools, families, and workplaces, forcing the emergence of anxiety and depression within teenagers of
the current society. The harm caused to society by the control of information from social media platforms have been explored,
with the research data showing similar results in regard to both the mental and physical health/wellbeing.

KEY FINDINGS
The control of information by social media platforms is harmful to society with preferences rapidly turning over to internet
communication as companies continue to target human vulnerabilities. This becomes a grave concern for societal security as
freedom is empowered with the increasing improvement of the algorithms developed to govern social media platforms.
Dangers/concerns pushed open to society are gravely dismissed as society begins to rely more on these platforms to build up
their social status. Furthermore, the term ‘addiction’ is now commonly seen amongst the users, as the hours involved in online
activities such as liking another user’s post and regularly entering the search page has become excessive. This is supported
through the results of a research which has shown that around 5% of adolescent users show significant levels of addiction-like
symptoms, leading to the concern that users should make a choice on whether the benefits outweigh the costs. Users are also
regularly misinformed, leading to social disputes and political controversies to commonly arise within the online community.
These negative impacts derived from the neglect ‘social media giants’ have in their role has greatly assisted in the manipulation
of society’s thinking towards their bias.

To begin, an increase in online communication has led to a decrease in face-to-face interactions, cutting off a supportive and
healthy environment for users whether in school or out in the workplace to engage in. They will begin to garner the thinking of
an outcast as they are isolated from other human beings and are not able to observe both facial expressions and body language
when communicating. It also denies the opportunity for growth as a person in regard to the aspects of collaboration, teamwork,
leading, and forming a social circle. The loss of these important virtues decreases the overall productivity and inspiration and
may even be linked to social phobia in severe cases.

Moreover, the ‘addiction’ of users raises a concern that is often dismissed by majority of society with followers, likes and
comments representing a person’s social status. This addiction is caused by the exploitation of a vulnerability in human
psychology by the companies behind social media platforms. These vulnerabilities include humans fundamental need to belong
and a fundamental desire for social status. Companies are able to take advantage of this vulnerability to exploit society’s
attention towards itself, further resulting in the change of both a person’s physical and mental status. Research has found that
the increased time spent on screen-based activities has led to sleep deprivation due to blue light. These bad sleeping patterns
were further linked to increased symptoms of insomnia and depression.

On the other hand, the large number of users misled by false information on these platforms serve as a factor for social disputes
and political controversies. This occurs on both ends of the spectrum with some users blindly believing the information
presented while others have become accustomed to question the information due to falling victim to scams. The permission
granted for the spread of this information has provided scammers with a window of opportunity to wreak havoc as the user’s
sense of security continues to dwindle.

CONCLUSION
These factors combined have revealed the detrimental harm caused to society by the control of information from social media
platforms with society leaning towards online communication over face-to-face interaction, becoming fixated on people’s social
status, engaging in excessive hours online, and repeatedly misled by false information. All of which limits a person’s mental and
physical growth as they obsess themselves over the social hierarchy.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

AMBER YIP 2022

 STAGE 1 RESEARCH PRACTICES TASK 4
Sleep & Social Media: Staying Connected Can Keep You Up | Sleep Foundation
Sleep & Social Media: Staying Connected Can Keep You Up | Sleep Foundation (2010). Available at:
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-and-social-media#:~:text=This%20research%20found%20that
%20the,symptoms%20of%20insomnia%20and%20depression. (Accessed: 17 March 2022).

Social networking sites may be controlling your mind – here's how to take charge
Social networking sites may be controlling your mind – here's how to take charge (2017). Available at:
https://theconversation.com/social-networking-sites-may-be-controlling-your-mind-heres-how-to-take-charge-88516
(Accessed: 17 March 2022).

Polcumpally, A. and Polcumpally, A.

Polcumpally, A. and Polcumpally, A. (2020) Why Control of social media becomes necessary?, Modern Diplomacy. Available at:
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2020/09/13/why-control-of-social-media-becomes-necessary/ (Accessed: 17 March 2022).

AMBER YIP 2022