The use of the internet today is growing. Internet that was originally created for the scope of work and education only, has now reached the public sphere. The role of the Internet as a medium of communication for example, has made the boundaries of the region to be meaningless. With social media applications like Facebook and Whatsapp, we can communicate across countries instantly and cheaply. Whether it's oral, written, or video call.
Later the role of social media in everyday human life becomes very important. Not infrequently we see someone who is engrossed themselves with smartphonenya, without caring about. Until the term appears, 'social media closer and closer distances close.' Is it true?
Then maybe you are asking questions, social media, with all the advantages and disadvantages certainly have an impact / effect on the inter-personal communication process. What are those? In this article Communication Experts will discuss about the effects of social media on communication.
Social media
If you hear the word social media, what comes to your head may be words like Facebook, Line, Whatsapp, or the like. The use of such social media is currently booming, but the scope of social media is not just social networking. For more details, the following will explain the definition of social media itself.
Understanding
Judging from the origin he said, 'media' refers to the instrument to communicate, in this case is the internet. While 'social' refers to human interaction with other humans, for example communicating - in this case share or receive information. So, social media is an instrument of communication based on internet application that enable the happening of interaction among human beings, in the form of communication - information exchange (read also: introduction of communication science)
With social media, all social actors can participate in creating, sharing and receiving information in the form of blogs, websites, social networks, forums, and so on. The information conveyed through social media is not only applicable to one person, a shiver that becomes a trending topic on twitter for example, in a short time can be spread across the country and get thousands and even millions of responses from other social media users.
Social Media in Indonesia
In Indonesia alone, the presence of social media is quite influential on Indonesia's communication system. The strange thing to say considering the number of internet users in Indonesia in 2011 was as many as 55 million inhabitants. Which makes Indonesia as the third largest internet user country in the world. Of that number, almost 80% of which is about 44.6 million people are users of social networking Facebook.
The role of social media in Mass Communications in Indonesia is very noticeable lately. Social media is often used as a medium of Political Communication in influencing public opinion, for example to win candidates of government officials such as President, Governor of DKI Jakarta, et al. Role
Social media is also quite subtle in Business Communication either in the form of Persuasive Communication or Visual Communication; such as the use of Facebook Ads. Social media effects also have an effect on Organization Communication such as the formation of certain groups in Telegram, Whatsapp, etc.
Positive and Negative Social Media Effects
Social Media is designed to reach many people, from various age groups as well as social roles. Various information is widespread and can be easily obtained from social media. So social media users often get more information in a faster time than people who do not use social media (read also: intercultural communication).
The existence of social media is felt a lot of benefits. However, the inappropriate use of social media, such as creating or distributing social media content containing fraud, hoaxes and so on will cause public opinion to the detriment of many parties. For more details, the following will be presented social media effects on communication.
Positive Effect
Source of information, more easily and quickly obtained and more transparent. Information that can be found in social media is very diverse, ranging from work materials, education, cuisine, to light materials such as games or comics.
Communication media, with wide reach, ease of use, and relatively low cost. For example with whatsapp I can make video calls to my friends who are in Japan with a very low cost.
Expanding association, connecting with old friends or making new friends easily (read also: cross-cultural communication)
Exchange information or data, such as photos / videos easily and quickly.
Promotional event with wider reach, easy, cheap but focused. Like introducing products to the public through instagram, using facebook advertising, etc.
Entertainment, for example by visiting websites containing humor, e-novel, e-comic or just reading the portal light reading.
Build opinions or express opinions widely. An opinion shared through social media can become viral and reach across the country and even across the world.
Learn something, for example by watching a video how to make a cake, make a dress, or make up.
The chance to be a different person. For example, people who tend to be shy will be more active in expressing their opinions through social media.
Build a person's confidence in socializing.
Negative effect
An information gap exists. Either between users of social media who can get information easily and transparently with people who do not use social media, or between social media users themselves, for example between those who join a group with non-members (read: organizational communication patterns).
Social media addiction, meaning someone becomes deeply bound by social media. Spent most of his daily time interacting in social media, often ignoring the people around him and even the tasks he was supposed to do.
Reduced intensity in direct interaction with others.
It causes social jealousy. For example by posting a variety of branded goods or something in social media (read also: communication ethics).
Creating a new identity that is totally incompatible with identity.
Identity theft, for example by creating an artist facebook account and making it appear as if it belongs to the artist (read also: principles of communication)
Theft / misuse of data such as photos, documents, et al
For example creating content containing hoaxes.
Consumptive, for example, become interested in various ads and make purchases using credit cards without thinking.
Simplify the spread of the virus. For example by creating content containing links to a particular page that viruses inserted.
Prevent Social Media Negative Effects
To prevent negative social media effects, we must understand and implement the ethics of communication on the internet. Make sure when we create a content, the content does not harm others. Similarly, the content that we share, read well the content and confirm the contents of the truth before sharing them. Do not let us share hoaxes or content that contain fraud and other misuse.
In addition, limiting the information we receive from social media also needs to be done. Too often read about negative content; eg content contains anger will affect our soul / heart. Make us addicted to the anger that every time we connect with social media, we will continue to search and read the content of anger.
Communication Management through social media should also be done. Do not let all our daily time just filled with social media interaction. Set a time, say a maximum of 2 or 3 hours a day to access social media (read also: sociology of communication).
Thus the article on the effects of social media on this communication. Hopefully this article can give you the information you need. If you have any questions, additions or constructive comments, please leave a message, and do not forget to share it if you think this article is useful. That is all and thank you.