Can you control the use of social media, or has social media controlled you? In this digital era, social media has become a very powerful tool for building networks and increasing social awareness. With more than 3.8 billion people using social media worldwide, this technology has become a global phenomenon that cannot be ignored. According to Tuten & Solomon (2017), social media is an online communication channel that allows users to share information, build networks, and interact with other users. The use of social media has three impacts, both in the form of benefits and losses, namely increasing social connections, increasing access to information, and the occurrence of cyberbullying or social harassment.
      The first impact of using social media is increasing social connections. Social connections are relationship or ties between individuals or groups that allow them to interact, share information, and support each other (Kaplan, 2020). Social media makes it possible to connect with people who are geographically distant, thereby expanding social networks and building relationships with people who share interests and building stronger connections. A study conducted by the Pew Research Center (2016) showed that 67% of social media users were helped to stay connected with friends and family who were far away. The number of social media users continues to increase every year, which shows that social media has become an important part of many people`s social lives.
      The second impact of using social media is increasing access to information. Boyd & Allison (2017) state that information is data that has been processed and presented in a form that can be understood and used to make decisions, solve problems, or understand a phenomenon. Social media allows users to access useful resources, such as articles, videos, and online courses, thereby increasing users` ability and knowledge. A study conducted by Dwiyanti and her team (2024) found that social media provides wider and faster access to news and information, especially politics. Citizens can follow official accounts of politicians, political parties, and political organizations through social media platform to gain diverse viewpoints and more accurate information in real-time.
      The third impact of using social media is cyberbullying or social harassment. Even though social media has benefits such as increasing social connections and access to information, the use of social media also has disadvantages in the form of cyberbullying or social harassment. Cyberbullying or social harassment as stated by Haenlein (2020) is an action carried out by a person or group of people to threaten or intimidate other people through online media. Social media allows users to make or receive negative and insulting comments about others which can cause stress and anxiety. According to a report from the Cyberbullying Research Center (2023), 36% of teenagers in the United States have experienced cyberbullying which has had a negative impact on the victim`s mental health. With the increasing use of social media, the risk of cyberbullying also increases.
      In conclusion, the use pf social media can have a positive impact on social connections and access to information. However, social media can also have a negative impact resulting in cyberbullying or social harassment. By understanding the impact of using social media, we can feel the benefits while minimizing the harm. Because wise use of social media is the key to being socially responsible.
RESOURCESÂ
Aditya (2025). Pengaruh Media Sosial Instagram terhadap Minat Fotografi pada Komunitas Fotografi Pekanbaru. Jurnal FISIP.Â
Boyd & Allison. (2017). "The Social Marketing Book." (New York: Mc Graw Hill).
Dwiyanti. (2024). "Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, dan R & B." (Bandung: Alfabeta).
Haenlein. (2020). "A Topical Approach to Life-Span Development." The Journal of Neuroscience.Â
Herdiansyah. (2020). "Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif." (Jakarta: Salemba Humanika).
