Social Media-A Blessing and a Curse {2}

Every second 684,748 items are shared on Facebook, 100,000 tweets are tweeted on Twitter, and 48 hours worth of video footage is uploaded onto YouTube. We live in a technologically advanced society where we have the ability to reach out and connect with friends through the click of a single button. This instant accessibility can be a blessing and a curse depending on how we choose to use it. In Elder David A. Bednar’s 2014 Education Week address, “To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood” he offered the following suggestions as guidelines to use when accessing our social media: be authentic and consistent, edify and uplift others, respect intellectual property, and be wise and vigilant. I believe that if we follow these guidelines our experiences on social media can serve as blessing instead of a curse.

     From the moment a message is swept off into cyberspace, it has the ability to travel across the world in a matter of seconds. The authenticity of our messages directly reflects who we are as individuals. We must always make sure we are spreading truth that is consistent with our values. Although our computer screens may seem like a covert way of communicating, we will always be held accountable for the things we say—online and in person.

Before we post, share, or tweet any message; we should always ask ourselves, is this going to uplift and edify my friends and followers? Many have dismissed the seriousness of cyber-bullying despite the increasing number of victims. According to a study done by Yale University, bully victims are 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide. What we say not only matters but can also directly have an impact on the lives of those around us.

Respecting the intellectual property of others is imperative when using social media. Copyright laws warn us of the seriousness of copying or claiming the work of another individual. It has always been in our best interest to give credit where credit is due. In the words of Judy Garland, "Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else."

Lastly, we should wisely evaluate the time we allot for social media each day. In 2012 the average consumer spent 11 hours on digital electronics every day. Science Daily projects that the average time a consumer spends on electronics will increase to a total of 15 hours each day by 2015. It is vital to our health and success to diligently monitor the amount of time we spend online. If our devices constantly consume us, we will lose sight of the world beyond the digital screen.

      The messages, pictures, videos, and comments that we send can have an impact on a global scale regardless of what content they possess. It is our responsibility to ensure that we are honest, kind, respectful, and wise with the time we spend online. Social media has the ability to be a blessing or a curse; we are the ones who determine what role it plays in our lives. What will you choose?