The Influence and Power of Social Media

By Gianna Nichols

Social media is so popular among college students and the younger generations. Many believe that social media trends have influenced them significantly. Social media has a big influence on the behavior and beliefs of younger generations. There are many trends online, where people would wait in hour-long lines for things such as getting a drink from the new 7 Brew in Buffalo, or being the first in line to get that little Starbucks bear cup. In actuality, you don’t really gain much from these trends.

The influence of social media trends is much like bandwagon advertisement propaganda. When you see so many people doing something or buying something online, it is almost a natural reaction for you to want it as well in order to fit in. Once you jump on the bandwagon you feel a part of the group, but many times you lose money or pride on something you didn’t really need. As the use of social media has increased over the years, younger individuals start to grow and believe everything they see online. Zoe Nichols, a young woman who grew up using social media stated “Social media teaches the younger generation to expect something other than being grateful for their current situation.” What no one talks about, is that most of the videos online show only the good. They are giving the younger generations a warped view on the reality of life. They can make young children believe having the best, expensive items is normal. An anonymous source, part of these younger generations and an avid user of social media, said “Social media has become a more toxic place over the years, and expectations are becoming stronger because of these trends.”

Despite it all, not all social media trends are bad. They can influence people to try new things, make new recipes, learn new tricks, and try a new style. These trends can offer good and help people find what they are passionate about. A close friend of mine who also uses social media quite often has said, “I think these trends can inspire younger generations like they have inspired me.” If used appropriately these influences can truly do a lot of good, but unfortunately they can be very dangerous as well. Next time you feel like joining the bandwagon ask yourself, what do I gain from doing this, and what do I lose? The power of a simple question, making yourself stop and think can be extremely beneficial and save you from doing something you may regret later on.

The use of social media being so popular has a significant effect on its users, both good and bad. It is interesting to see how the younger individuals that use social media so often feel about it. Some find it addicting, some find it dangerous, and others find it good or inspiring. Despite it all, they continue to use it for hours on end every day and allow it to influence their decisions and behavior. How do you view the influences of social media?