“The Real Impact of Social Media on Every Stage of Life”

Nowadays, social media has become a major issue in everyone’s life. Some people think it’s harmful, while others believe it brings many benefits.

But what do you think? Have you ever stopped to consider what the real issue is?

In reality, only a small number of people truly reflect on this. Most people share their own perspectives. Around 30% believe social media is beneficial. Let’s look at how:

Benefits of Social Media:

1. Showcasing Talent
   Social media gives people a platform to express their creativity — through reels, video editing, writing, art, and more. It especially helps those who may not feel confident enough to present their talents on larger platforms.

2. Business Opportunities
It provides an accessible way to start and promote small businesses through reels, stories, and posts. It’s a powerful tool for digital marketing.

1. Access to Role Models & Ideas
   Through platforms like YouTube or Instagram, we can connect with motivational speakers, influencers, comedians, spiritual guides, and more via podcasts and talks.
2. Staying Connected
   It helps us stay in touch with family, friends, and loved ones no matter where they are in the world.
3. Building a Personal Brand
   Social media is also useful for professional growth. It allows us to connect with potential employers, get feedback, and find job opportunities.
4. Creating Memories
   It serves as a digital diary, where we can look back at important memories and moments.
5. Inspiring Others
   By sharing our experiences, achievements, or struggles, we can uplift and motivate others.

These are the views of the 30% who use social media in a productive way.

The Dark Side: The Other 70%

However, 70% of people believe social media has a negative impact. Many consider it an addiction — just like alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. It affects people of all age groups: children, teenagers, adults, and even the elderly.

Effects on Children

Due to busy work schedules, many parents hand over phones to their children just to keep them quiet. Children then get addicted to games, cartoons, and social media scrolling.

This leads to:

• Less physical activity
• Poor academic performance
• Reduced social interaction
• Health issues like headaches, weak eyesight, fatigue, and even constipation

Shockingly, even unborn babies are affected when their mothers spend excessive time on phones during pregnancy. Infants may face mental health or vision problems due to this.

Effects on Teenagers

This is a critical age when teens shape their future. But many get lost in the virtual world — scrolling endlessly, making reels, and obsessing over likes and comments.

They:

• Struggle to differentiate between real life and “reel” life
• Measure self-worth through social media engagement
• Develop anxiety or depression due to lack of attention
• Get into online relationships without knowing the other person well
• Waste time, money, and mental energy, sometimes even making harmful decisions after breakups

This addiction can distract them from studies and ruin their career path.

Effects on Adults

Adults (ages 26–45) often juggle work stress, family responsibilities, and personal goals. With limited free time, they turn to social media for relaxation — but often at the cost of quality time with family or self-care.

This can lead to:

• Relationship issues or even divorce due to poor communication
• Feelings of inadequacy when comparing their lives to others
• Mental exhaustion from trying to live up to “perfect” lives seen online

Social media shows only the highlights — not the struggles behind the scenes. This creates unrealistic expectations and pressure.

Effects on the Elderly

“After retirement, many elderly people turn to social media for entertainment. While it’s a way to stay informed and connected, it often replaces essential activities like walking or exercising. As a result, many suffer from health problems such as vision issues and body pain. They use social media to overcome loneliness, but due to a lack of awareness, they tend to become victims of online fraud.”

Conclusion

Everything in life has two sides: positive and negative. But most people tend to focus on the negative. Only a small group — the ones we call “successful” — choose to see the good and use social media with purpose.

So, the problem isn’t with social media itself. The real issue lies in how we use it.

If your dreams are big and your focus is strong, you will naturally avoid wasting time and energy on the negative side of these platforms — just like those 30% who use it to grow and succeed.

At the end of the day, social media can either make life easier or more difficult. It all depends on what we choose to embrace and what we choose to ignore.

THANK YOU! 🙏

Note: This is my first article. I welcome your suggestions and feedback — both on my writing and my thoughts about social media. Also, please feel free to share your own experiences!

💬 A Few Questions for You:

• Do you think social media affects mental health? How?
• Does it create pressure to look “perfect” or live an ideal life?
• What do you think about fake lifestyles on social media? Does it impact self-esteem?