Is Social Media Good For Society? (Hiro vs Raquel)
August 16, 2024
Is Social Media Good For Society?
Hiro Kaneda (ESFJ) vs Raquel Dozier (ESFP)
Raquel: Oh, this is going to be easy
for me, baby! Social media is great for society. It has given us a way to stay
connected with people all over the world, allowing for a global exchange of
ideas and perspectives.
Hiro: Oh really? And what about all
those studies that show social media is causing an increase in mental health
concerns, especially among young people? Or how social media is being used to
spread misinformation and division?
Raquel: Okay, okay. Maybe there have
been some...downsides. But let's not throw away the baby with the bath water!
We just have to be better about monitoring how we are using it. The important thing
is that it has opened up so many opportunities for communication and connection
that would have been impossible without it.
Hiro: So what you're saying is the
spread of misinformation, depression, and anxiety are acceptable side effects
of being connected? You think young people becoming social media addicts is a
price worth paying for these supposed benefits?
Raquel: Oh no, you didn't! I never
said that these side effects are acceptable or a price worth paying. We have to
try and curb those things, for sure! But the pros still outweight the cons.
Hiro: Oh yeah? Name me one pro that
can't be canceled out by all the cons I just listed.
Raquel: We have access to an
unbelievable library of information at our fingertips, no matter where we are
in the world. We no longer have to go digging through ancient scrolls or dusty
tomes just to get the latest news or learn about history. Is that not an
incredible power that we have in our hands? I think it is.
Hiro: Please, you think the average
person is going to use social media for good, like accessing the wealth of
information available at our fingertips? The average person is watching viral
videos, scrolling through memes, or getting into arguments with strangers
online. That's not something that is going to benefit society, only distract
and divide us further.
Raquel: I reject that view. I have
faith in humanity. Just because there are some who may be using this powerful
tool in reckless or destructive ways doesn't mean that most are not responsible
enough to use it for good.
Hiro: Oh really, a little faith in
humanity, huh? Well, what about the people who are spreading this
misinformation and division? The people who are too young, immature, or stupid to
know better, being exposed to things they don't have the emotional maturity to
handle. You still think we shouldn't rein in that power?
Raquel: I never said we shouldn't
rein in the power. I think we should absolutely try to protect younger
generations from harmful things, and we should also try to hold accountable
those who are consciously and intentionally spreading false information and
division. But why punish the majority of us who are using it responsibly?
Hiro: The majority? You really think
the majority of people on social media are utilizing it responsibly? You
honestly expect me to believe that most people are using it for productive,
positive things and not just wasting their time or getting distracted? The data
says otherwise.
Raquel: Maybe we just view people
differently. I have more faith in people, and you seem to lean more on the
pessimistic side. Even if we want to go purely on facts, we have to acknowledge
that a large majority of social media use is innocent. People sharing their
lives with others, communicating with friends and family, finding
entertainment, etc. I don't see the problem with that?
Hiro: You honestly think innocent
and productive are one and the same? You really don't see the problem with all
that mindless scrolling, with all that wasted time and distractions? You think
wasting your life staring at TikTok challenges and pointless cat videos is a
good thing?
Raquel: Oh, and are you the expert
on what is best for everyone, huh? Who are you to decide how someone should use
their own time? If someone finds joy in silly dances and silly cat videos,
that's their choice! You don't have the right to dictate that.
Hiro: Oh yeah, is that so? And what
about society as a whole? You think it's a good thing to have people wasting
their time like that when they could be doing something more productive? Do you
think it's a good thing to have people spending less and less time in the real
world, opting instead to live in these online echo chambers? You really think
that's healthy for our society?
Raquel: Do you have any idea how
pretentious you sound right now? Who are you to tell people how to handle their
mental health, or how to spend their free time? If someone needs a distraction
from their life or wants to live in a digital world, that's on them! Besides,
people still go out in the real world all the time. It's not like society is
going to collapse because of this or something.
Hiro: The average person spends over
40 minutes browsing social media on their phone alone. That's 40 minutes less
than they actually interact with the people around them, building genuine
social connections and learning from others' perspectives. That's 40 minutes
less than they actually touch grass and appreciate the world around them. Now
who is sounding pretentious?
Raquel: I'm sorry, since when do you
get to judge what constitutes a productive use of someone's time? You say 40
minutes of mindless social media use is terrible, but why? Why should a person
spend that time building social connections or touching grass when that doesn't
bring them joy? Not everyone is like you.
Hiro: Why are you so obsessed with
individual joy? What about the wellbeing of society as a whole? You think that
people who are spending more and more time on social media, constantly
comparing themselves to this fictional persona of other people, are happier?
You think that is good for them? You think that brings them fulfillment?
Raquel: Okay, and how exactly are
you defining the wellbeing of society? Do you want people to spend their lives
just working their fingers to the bone in pursuit of productivity? Do you want
society where every person is a mindless robot who only knows how to work and
be "productive"?
Hiro: I want a society where people
actually leave the house and socialize. I want a society where people can have
real, meaningful, in-person experiences with one another. I want a society
where people aren't living on their phones.
Raquel: Fine, maybe that kind of
society is good for you and for what you want. But you can't impose your views
onto everyone else. Not everyone wants a life of productivity and efficiency.
Maybe some people would rather spend their time inside, scrolling on their
phone, and that's perfectly fine!
Hiro: I guess we can end this debate
with the realization that social media can be both beneficial and damaging to
society. It all comes down to how we use it and the responsibilities that come
with it.
Raquel: I guess you're right. The
truth was more likely in the middle, and we both got a bit carried away in our
opposing arguments. We should be more mindful of the potential repercussions
and responsibilities that come with social media usage.
Hiro: I agree. Social media can be a
valuable tool when used responsibly. We should be more mindful of how we use it
and the potential consequences of our actions. Let's keep that in mind moving
forward.
Raquel: I agree. We should learn
from this debate and strive to be more mindful about social media use in the
future.
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