The document discusses both the benefits and drawbacks of social media use. Some of the benefits mentioned include the ability to stay connected with friends and family, access information and advice from others, and empower consumers through feedback to companies. However, the document also notes some potential negatives such as overuse reducing face-to-face communication skills, privacy and identity theft risks, and cyberbullying harming some users, especially children. The document provides advice on how to safely and responsibly use social media through practices like differentiating personal and professional profiles, using strong passwords and virus protection, and thinking before posting private content online.

1. by Dr. Joel R. Evans, Hofstra University
joel.r.evans@hofstra.edu
Social Media: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

2. The Impact of Social Media: The Good, The Bad,
and The Ugly (1)
The Good (1):
• We are smarter as people and as shoppers -- we can get information, compare
prices, etc. instantly and in-depth.
• We can get tips on almost any subject – from health issues to what’s in fashion.
(Angie’s List)
• We can rely more on our peers than advertisers for shopping-related
information and advice. (70% trust friends; 10% trust advertising.)
• Many companies listen to us when we make negative comments online. This is
empowering consumers. (Some people get too carried. One guy spent $1,000
on promoted tweets to complain about British Airways.)
• People have the ability to communicate any time, anywhere. (170 million
Americans use social media at least once/month.)
• We can catch up with old friends with whom we’ve lost touch.
• Shy people can interact with others in a non-threatening manner. And maybe
they can even meet their soul mates. (For example, 37% of recent daters have
asked someone out by texting them; one-sixth of social media users post about
their relationships.) (70% of single adults have tried online dating.) (According
to one study, 1 in 3 marriages begin with online dating; 3 in 5 gay couples
meet online.)

3. The Impact of Social Media: The Good, The Bad,
and The Ugly (2)
The Good (2):
• There is a greater sense of self-esteem from sharing one’s views with others.
• Participation in social media can be a great stress reducer. (20% of people listen
to downloaded/streaming music on their smartphone.) You can blow off
steam/vent.
• There are virtual groups to address physical and emotional problems that
provide information as well as connection to others who have faced similar
challenges.
• There are social media platforms that cover virtually every area of interest (from
tracing one’s ancestry to sharing photos on Instagram.) There’s always
someone to converse with about a topic.
• Older adults are now catching up in their social media use. (Yet, only 32% of
those 65+ use social media compared with 83% of those 18-29.)
• The majority of parents “friend” their children.
• Younger people are teaching older ones how to use smartphones and engage in
social media.
• Kids text their grandparents.

4. The Impact of Social Media: The Good, The
Bad, and The Ugly (3)
The Bad (1):
• Some people are spending too much time with social media at the expense of
other activities. (Many companies have banned/blocked social media at work.
20% cannot access Facebook at work, and 15% cannot access Twitter.)
• Most younger people spend more time texting than talking on the phone. (The
average adult spends 2 hours, 20 minutes/day on non-voice activities with
mobile media. Young people are higher.)
• Some children ages 2 to 5 actually have smartphones. (According to a recent
study, one-sixth of those age 8 and under use a mobile device daily. Is this
safe?)
• There is no question that our verbal communication skills will decline with
greater use of social, nonverbal media. (46% of global respondents to a survey
said they text, E-mail, and check social media during a meal with
family/friends. Wow!)
• For some conservations, we really need to look at people and read their body
language and tone of voice.
• It is very hard for people to understand the true meaning of short messages
without any context. (For example: What does texting “I’m having a bad day”
really mean?)

5. The Impact of Social Media: The Good, The
Bad, and The Ugly (4)
The Bad (2):
• Many people do not recognize the differences among social media in terms of
the purpose of the media and communications etiquette. (Facebook vs.
LinkedIn)
• Many people do not understand that employers and potential employers look
at social media postings and photos. (Even colleges are starting to do this with
applicants.)
• Many people do not realize that an item posted on the Web stays there even if
the people try to erase them. (There are pictures of me from 20 years ago.)
• Rumors are quick to go viral.
• There are often social posts where a person is unaware that he/she is
included—sometimes in an unflattering way. (Every smartphone has a camera.)
• Many people provide too much personal information on social media.
(According to recent research, people who check Facebook often are less
satisfied with their lives than others.)

6. The Impact of Social Media: The Good, The
Bad, and The Ugly (5)
The Ugly:
• Some people believe it is OK to end a relationship via social media – and compound
the hurt by going public. Others post very personal information about relationships.
• Due to (1) disparaging comments made on Facebook, (2) the posting of
material that one of the parties considers private, and (3) learning about
unknown bad behavior by one of the parties
• (1 in 5 divorces is blamed on Facebook.)
• Cyber bullying is a nasty, malicious practice that has resulted in some suicides and
numerous cases of depression, especially among young people.
• Privacy violations and identity theft are becoming more rampant. (Are we ever
totally safe online? Even German Chancellor Merkel isn’t.)
• Many people have very simple passwords that are easy to hack.
• Sexting is a dangerous practice for unassuming young people in particular.
• GPS locators, especially on phones, can make someone a target of a stalker.
• Cybersex addiction …. Also, gaming, gambling addictions
• “Frenemies” are those who follow others on social media to sometimes embarrass
people. (my students with 1000 to 1500 “friends”)
• We sometimes shoot from the hip and make an online comment we immediately
regret. It’s hard to pull this back. Twitter messages are especially impulsive.

7. The Impact of Social Media: The Good, The
Bad, and The Ugly (6)
Advice (1):
• Don’t lose track of the time you are spending and miss out on other tasks.
• In setting up social media profiles, differentiate between “fun” sites (Facebook)
and “professional” sites (LinkedIn).
• Think before entering any content at any platform that may prove embarrassing,
inappropriate, etc. Information, photos, opinions, etc. placed online are often
seen by unintended viewers (“frenemies,” potential employers, etc.), have a long
shelf life, and may pop up in a Google search if anyone wants to learn about you.
• Don’t focus on how many “likes” that you amass as a measure of your self-esteem
and popularity.
• In communicating with companies, try to only engage in communications for which
you opt-in. Don’t EVER respond to a spam message; this will let the spammer know
you really exist at that E-mail address.
• Read the privacy policy for each site and app: How will your privacy be protected?
What kinds of information will be made available to third parties?
• Use the strongest possible virus protection. There are frequent deals; don’t buy
from overpriced provider sites. (It is amazing to me how many people don’t use
virus software.)

8. The Impact of Social Media: The Good, The
Bad, and The Ugly (7)
Advice (2):
• Know which platforms are secure and which aren’t
• Be careful with illegal downloads: they can leave viruses.
• E-mail attachments are a frequent source of viruses.
• http vs. https -- Don’t give ANY personal info if http.
• Regularly clean out your temporary files and defragment the PC.
• Know what makes a good password: Don’t just use your name or combinations of it.
(Use at least six to eight characters. Include at least one letter, number, and symbol.
Don’t use one password for all accounts.)
• Use multiple E-mail addresses. (Use one regular E-mail address and others for
newsletters, downloads, purchases, etc.)
• Use a professional-looking E-mail address on your resume and LinkedIn, and in your
job-related E-mails. (Don’t use your name and birthday. It’s tacky and not
professional looking!!!)
• When in doubt, don’t press “send” or enter.
• Online, YOU are your best friend. Please don’t be your worst enemy, too. Think.
• Please look at my blog http://evansonmarketing.com. You may email me at
joel.r.evans@hofstra.edu.
• Thanks!!!