GP Notes on Social Media

Overview on Social Media

The use of social media has increasingly become part and parcel of our lives. While some compliment on the benefits that social media has created, others question the use of social media due to the negative repercussions it has on the society and in other related aspects.

Read GP Articles and Videos on Social Media

These two videos and articles will provide useful and meaningful insight on the notion of social media and more information in helping students to develop their articulation for Application-based questions an GP essay writing.

How Social Media is Affecting Teens

In this video, titled ‘How social media is affecting teens’, provided by The National, it examines the impact of social media on affecting the development of teens. For example, the changing priorities of teens in the past and present. It is alarming to know that social media has contributed to a drastic change in values towards instant gratification, personal gains and successes. In turn, social media influences have led to these increasing focus on individualism that have negative repercussions, such as cyber-bullying.

From this video, students will be able to identify the psychological and social impacts of social media on teens.

Does Social Media have the Power to Change the World?

In this video, titled ‘Does social media have the power to change the world?’, provided by School of International Development, University of East Anglia, it examines the extensive reach social media has on countries and its wide-ranging of impacts on the world. For example, social media has improved the accessibility of information and education. Also, social media has promoted social change, such as the raise of awareness about humanitarian crises. Furthermore, the hindrances to the access of social media were mentioned due to the political complexities.

From this video, students can identify the factors affecting the rise of social media and the positive and negative impacts on the world.

Social Media: Destroyer or Creator?

In this article, titled “Social Media: Destroyer or Creator?”, by American journalist and author, Thomas L. Friedman, it looks into the role of social media on Internet liberalization. Using the Arab Spring as a classic example of how social media has galvanized the masses to topple political regimes, the author explained that social media is a double-edged sword. While social media promotes individual empowerment to unite people towards common goals, it can also become a divisive force that tears nations apart.

From this article, students can learn about the negative impacts of social media.

GP Tutor Discussion on Social Media

Social media has become a prominent feature in our daily lives. Ever since the advent of Facebook, people from all walks of life, young and old, have begun tuning into the social media networks to connect to their family and friends. While it can be acknowledged that social media is effective in connecting people whom we have lost touch with, it is important to question whether we still remain genuinely connected.

One negative consequence of social media is the deterioration of mental health. The extensive usage of social media contributed to the obsession with recognition, as exemplified by garnering ‘likes’ on your personal posts. Also, the display of posts by our friends and acquaintances on the ‘News Feed’ are misleading as only the desirable parts of their lives are displayed, whereas the unpleasant experiences are hidden from view. Consequently, a sense of envy develops, which will lead to growing dissatisfaction, loss of self-esteem or even depression. Therefore, it is essential that individuals are educated on these harmful impacts that social media can bring about, so as to avoid being victims.

Another negative impact of social media is decline in social interactions and relationships. Given that social media platforms empowers individuals to voice their opinions through personal posts and comments, users have grown used to speaking more often than listening. As mentioned by a Google Employee in the featured article, he said that “It’s as if we agreed that we are here to talk at each other instead of talking with each other”. In addition, the prevalence of smartphones has enabled us to stay connected in the social media world anytime. Consequently, smartphone usage has intruded upon our lives, such as during meal times and face-to-face conversations, which have led to the decline in quality of social interactions. Hence, it can be observed that social media has widespread impacts on our lives.

Our GP Tuition Programme on Social Media

GP Essays for Class Practice and Discussion

1. Social media should be regulated. Do you agree?
2. ‘Social media is to be blamed for the social ills.’ Do you agree?

GP Comprehension Discussion and Practice

Refer to this article, ‘What Are the Effects of Social Media on Youth?’ by TurboFuture.

For the better or worse, social media has become one of the key aspects of lives for many youths. Are the impacts of social media more detrimental or beneficial on the youths in Singapore?

GP Notes for Class Discussion

Positive & Negative Effects of Social Media

The comprehension of the positive and negative impacts of social media will be helpful in answering questions that explain why some countries are resistant to allowing free public access to social media. We can observe this analysis through the understanding of the issues based on the different impacts, such as political, economic and values.

Regulating Social Media

(To be given out as notes during lesson)

One of the recurring controversial debates is the regulation of social media by governments. On one hand, some reject the free access of social media due to the negative repercussions on the society and in other aspects. In contrast, others support the use of social media due to the widespread benefits that can be attained, which may outweigh the detriments. The considerations can be analyzed based on the relevance of social media in developing and developed countries. Also, it will be interesting to examine the use of social media in affecting the cultural impacts of societies.