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“Media Shape Society or Society Shapes Media”.

The evolution of media, from “old” to “new” media, has ultimately
transformed the way we perceive the world around us. While “new media” being
interactive and user-generated, “old media” is a more traditional way of networking
and sharing information through the use of mediums like televisions, radios,
newspapers, magazines, as well as books. “New media” on the other hand, gives us a
new perspective by allowing us to interact with one another through the Internet.
Media as a whole has become much more personal and diverse as user-generated
content becomes more prominent in our lives.

Media as a whole has changed us and has influenced the development of

society. People’s daily lives has become a reflection of a boundless limitation of
media from prehistoric age down to the digital age. For example: in times of a crisis,
media is very important for everyone to keep themselves updated on what is
happening around the world. In rural areas especially, as they use radios and
telephones to deliver and receive information as opposed to an area that is well-
developed where they use modern technology like computers/laptops and other
devices and platforms used in information exchange. Media also have become the
center of focus in businesses, more likely for advertising and exposure.

Many people use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
Most of what is in these platforms contains news and information that we would
otherwise not receive if we were to use traditional media. Social medias on the
contrary also have a lot of its downsides. Part of it being a social media platform, is
that anyone has access to everything you post. As such this can be exploited for the
use of Cyber bullying, discrimination, hate speech and more. You can even see many
of its users are influencing their popularity to achieve certain goals; negatively, or
positively. These can result in long term traumatic effects if directed at someone
which could lead to self-harm, depression, and anxiety.

there are many ways to avoid and prevent cyber bullying such as refraining
from posting any explicit photos of yourself online and also to never discuss anything
personal on social media. In other words, keep your personal information limited
within your chosen group of friends or family. Cyber bullying is a despicable
and horrific action that needs to end. We, as teenagers, need to put more effort into
stopping it and to take action when we see it happening.

Second is Internet addiction, more specifically, the overuse of social media.

Over the years that social media platforms have been a thing, the more issues have
emerged. We can see many articles involving people ranging from kids to teenagers
to adults, getting into some kind of trouble that centers around social media; one way
or another. This can be seen more prominently in the west as media is more
developed there. As I’ve experienced myself, many of us has been experiencing
Internet addiction amidst of a crisis, mostly likely because of the pandemic; staying
in homes in fear of the virus.
Media is very important. It has been a rather convenient medium and way to
access and receive information. It can be used in our daily lives from schooling,
work, business as well as many other things. Media isn’t all that bad, it just becomes
a problem when put in powerful hands.