The internet is full of wonderful, interactive ways for people all around the world to connect and share ideas with one another. Through social media, family members can keep in touch, groups can arrange meetings, and friends can remember birthdays. Funny videos and memorable pictures are posted by everyone seeking acceptance by their “friends” and followers. In recent years, Facebook and Twitter have also served as outlets for news and opinions. These ideas are presented in platforms of news clips, shared pictures, and 140 characters. Unfortunately, for many people, social media is the only source they look to for news. I hate to break it to you, but Facebook and Twitter are unreliable sources.
Facebook is like that one opinionated kid in your class who won’t shut up. His facts cannot be proven, and his opinions are loud and obnoxious. I shouldn’t have to slow down my heart rate after scrolling through my Facebook feed because the posts I see are frustrating and ignorant. I don’t care what your opinion is, but why does it have to be broadcast across the entire social network? At least expressing your opinion in person can lead to a thoughtful discussion with other people. Sharing mindless opinions from untrustworthy sources only leads to harsh comments of disapproval. A sarcastic comment on photoshopped backgrounds shows frustration with a certain issue but doesn’t accomplish anything helpful.
Technology has made it easy for anyone to edit photos and videos before an audience can view them. Filters and cuts can strengthen a certain side’s argument based solely on what one person in an interview or news show says. They get popular because people with the same opinion continue to share, even though the facts may be outdated or the video is cut short. Then people base their own opinions on one idea that was continuously shared in their feed.
Many college kids cannot find time to watch the news, so the ideas presented through social media are the only ones we see. All of a sudden we see hashtags and picture that make us question what is going on in the world. Then we click on a link and learn about the attack in Paris, that Syrian refugees want to come to America, or that Donald Trump made another stupid comment, but we only know it because someone shared it. News about Paris, Syrian refugees, and presidential candidates are morphed into opinions rather than facts, which only shapes an uneducated audience. College students base their own opinions on the content popping up on their timelines, but it’s biased!
So if you see a post that your relative shared and you thought it made some good points, do some research before making an opinion. Get the facts and go to different news sources, conservative and liberal. See where they disagree and find the reason the issue is popular right now. Educate yourself before you form an opinion and do not rely on Facebook or other social media sites for all your news.
