Side Effects of Social Media

Social Media. Caution! May cause obsessive behavior, a sudden need to "follow" people like a stalker, violent behavior if not "liked," and a fatal attraction to sharing everything you do. If you, or someone you know if suffering from these symptoms, you may have a case of…the social media bug!



In 1971 the first ever email was sent and successfully received…In 1994 one of the first social networking sites launched, Geocities. It’s funny to think we are still using the same principles and concepts to conduct social media networking and tracking online today! We’ve been connecting and communicating together online for decades, so why the sudden hype? Why the sudden surge of online social networking users? Why have we all become so darn obsessed?! No one seems to be immune to these side-effects. Teenagers and elderly alike are coming down with the social media bug. Whether you are out to reach more of your customers, find new customers, or just connect with family and friends, you can probably find them on a social networking site.

Social media connects us in ways we didn’t think were previously possible. If you have a certain interest, why not create a group on Facebook or Linked In, and find all the other people across the globe that share that same interest. The connections and links are unlimited and endless. Our small online social-sphere has grown to encompass the entire sphere in which we all live and breathe, Earth. Everywhere we go, everywhere we look, social media is present. At this point, we might all be a little lost without it. If Facebook, Twitter and your email disappeared tomorrow, what would you do? How would you find out what the heck is going on out there?! Don’t panic, we can always just watch TV or turn on the radio like we did before. Man those things seem so archaic…Fact is, social media is just like all those medications you see on TV; comes with a whole bunch of side-effects…but without it, you just might die.



Think you are coming down with the social media bug? Check out these tips to help combat those rough social media side-effects:

• Post meaningful things you know your audience would appreciate

• Show your interest by kindly RT, posting and sharing content!

• Use your good social media sense to help those who aren’t famous—give props when props is due!

• Share your knowledge with your audience!

• Meet with people in real life!—turn a lead into a customer!

• And of course, if you don’t’ want your Boss or Mother seeing it, don’t post it!

• Have fun out there! We’re all just being social!