What Are the Positives & Negatives of Social Media?

Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story.
Traditional journalism values are shifting due in part to social media.

Social media was the next great evolution of the Internet after the emergence of Google. The creation of sites such as Digg, YouTube, Flickr and others gave birth to the new age of the Internet, and the rise of Facebook and Twitter cemented the importance of the social web. These sites are included as part of the "Web 2.0" category, referring to the evolution of the Internet that is primarily user driven.


Positive - Honesty

One of the positive things about social media is that it promotes an environment of honesty. Companies that are used to manipulating customers through traditional media simply can't do so through social media. When the customers are free to create content, comment on existing content and respond, refute and offer rebuttals, it creates an atmosphere of accountability throughout the network. It also allows people who post content to receive open and instant feedback from viewers or readers.


Positive - Democratic Media

Social media essentially creates a media of democracy. Stories that are popular, that people are interested in and support are spread and made more popular. Those that people don't believe in quickly fall to the bottom of the pile. This doesn't always provide perfectly accurate information, but it does bring the basic principles of democracy to the spreading of information online. Jessica Clark from American University feels this model encourages people to seek out transparency and openness, a clear advantage to the medium.


Negative - Misinformation

One of the potential hazards of social media is the quick spread of misinformation during a crisis or legal investigation. After a late 2010 hostage situation at Marinette high school, local District Attorney Allen Brey talked about how a great deal of misinformation was quickly spreading among social media sites immediately after the incident. He spoke about how even though that information travels quickly, it is no replacement for a proper investigation and report and is prone to speculation and error.


Negative - Use Within a Company

Most companies are attempting some sort of social media policy in order to promote their business to this massive online audience. However, by doing so, a company takes certain risks. If employees are not properly briefed on procedures and policies within the company, it is possible that they will post confidential information or information that could provide an advantage to competitors. Employees must also be trained so that no information that belongs to customers is ever posted to social media portals.


references & resources