Do different social networking sites offer unique benefits and drawbacks?

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 Controversial attitudes surrounding social media hold some level of validity, no matter the position taken. I believe some social media sites are far more beneficial than others. For example, I typically favor Pinterest, Snapchat, and Letterboxd the most.

For me, Pinterest serves as an inspiration board. It forces me to be intentional and reflective of who I am and who I want to be while interacting with art. Though there is often negativity surrounding the ambition for a “Pinterest-worthy” life, I believe the way in which you interact with an app is far more influential than the app itself. I use Pinterest for quotes to hang on my wall, ways to style pieces of clothing I’ve had forever, ideas for how I want my hairstylist to cut or dye my hair, pictures of cute homes I aspire to own one day, and so much more.

Snapchat, I barely use at all, but it serves as the main communication channel for my friends and me. I never post, but every group I’m a part of specifically uses Snap to communicate, so not having it feels impossible.

My current favorite social media platform and one I feel highlights the core benefit of social media is Letterboxd. It’s a platform that allows you to see movie rankings and reviews from others in a fun and engaging way. I watch a lot of movies, and I love hearing what my friends and clever strangers have to say about a film.

I think certain apps, specifically Facebook and Twitter, are far more anxiety-inducing and actively inhibit my self-esteem and communication with others. I read the news, but I don’t like being smacked in the face with it the moment I open my phone. Adler and Proctor state, “Technology is most alienating when it's used as a substitute for face-to-face communication,” and I believe that’s exactly what platforms like Facebook and Twitter encourage. People seem to use those sites to express every waking thought they would never dare say to another person in real life.

Instagram embodies both the core benefits and drawbacks of social media, so my verdict on it is still undecided. I love seeing what friends and family are up to—especially since I live far from many of them—but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t compare myself to every other girl my age and their curated feeds.

Overall, I do believe that different social media platforms have unique positive and negative aspects, though I feel user intention is the main factor that determines their impact.

Adler, R. B., & Proctor, R. F. II. (2023). Interplay: The process of interpersonal communication (16th ed.). Oxford University Press.





Adler, R. B., & Proctor, R. F. II. (2023). Interplay: The process of interpersonal communication (16th ed.). Oxford University Press.



Adler, R. B., & Proctor, R. F. II. (2023). Interplay: The process of interpersonal communication (16th ed.). Oxford University Press.

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