There is an irrefutable fact that the usage of social media is changing face-to-face interplay amongst many humans in society. Although this trend has some benefits, I would argue that there are more drawbacks.
On the one hand, there are a number of benefits from using social networks to communicate. Firstly, the use of social media helps people maintain connections with their cherished ones regardless of geographical distance. For instance, the application Facebook or Twitter has enabled students studying abroad to contact their family members easily on a daily basis. Secondly, it enriches humans’ relationships and communication. As a result, people can have more friends across the globe, and they can find someone who shares common interests.
However, I believe that the drawbacks are greater. First, it can impede the development of crucial non-verbal skills of a person, especially the youth. When communicating on social networking platforms, people only text and send emoticons so it leads to a lack of nuanced non-verbal communication and emotional resonance. Furthermore, the use of social media poses the threat of losing personal information. Apparently, individuals are required to register by providing personal data to become users of these platforms, which can be used for malicious purposes such as blackmail or kidnapping.
In conclusion, despite some benefits, the drawbacks are of greater significance for both individual and society.