Friendship via Social Media

-

 Everything in the world is changing because of social networking, from how individuals obtain information to how they communicate and, most significantly, how they connect. With the fast advancement of technology, social media sources are becoming more important and relevant but, can you create true friends online?



Friendships are beneficial to one's health. Friends can help you enjoy happy occasions and offer support during difficult times. Friendship prevents loneliness and allows you to provide much-needed companionship. Friendships are also important in boosting your general health. According to studies, older persons with a vibrant social life are more likely to live longer than those with fewer relationships.


Teens use social media to connect with new individuals, allowing them to learn more about them and have a better understanding of them. Many adolescents claim that they have made friends with a random person on the platform and many others claim that they have shared their username with a stranger they want to get to know better. Having a social media account also helps you connect with the friends you have made in person, like seeing what they have been up to when you couldn’t meet them.



Chatting on social media platforms don’t require both the users to be online at the same time, one user can contact and the other can respond to the message hours later. Even though it’s hard to have a heart-to-heart conversation, people can be in contact with people from different time zones. 


The main reason online friendships tend to be strong is because of common interests, which no one they knew in person was interested in. regularly sharing memes and talking about a topic you and your friend both connect to makes your bond stronger. In many cases, this could be the reason the friendship may have begun in the first place, they could’ve chatted in the comment section of a post regarding their interest or clicked with each other in a chatroom.



Even though catfishing is very common on social media, the video calling option lets teens make sure the friend they are talking to is actually who they think it is. Through video calling, you may see the person's genuine feelings. Some people are unable to articulate why they are texting. They do, however, communicate well through gestures and body language. That is why video chat is the only method to truly comprehend what another person is going through.


How to be safe while making friends online. 

  • Don’t share personal information: You should be cautious about how much personal information you provide on the internet. Sharing personal information such as your address, phone number, birth date, and other details puts you in danger of identity theft, stalking, and harassment. This includes data you share on social media and/or with your friend.


  • Be cautious of the apps you use: There are plenty of apps to make friends online but not all of them are safe. Even though scammers trick people through fake accounts everywhere, many trick people through the app itself. While making an account make sure of how safe the app is and how much detail they are asking for. Don’t give your full while making an account, if you have a unique or rare name go by a nickname.


  • Do a little research from your side:  You don’t have to snoop through everything but just check the overview of their account. Even though you shouldn’t judge someone based on how they show themselves on the internet, by doing minimum research you’ll briefly know what type of person they are. If you feel that what they are sharing doesn’t match with what you saw on their profile, confront them and if you still feel it’s not right, stop contacting them. 



  • Guilt-tripping: Many scammers take your feelings to their advantage.  They post or share about how miserable they are and need money. When you ask them to tell you what’s going on in detail they make up a sad tale and promise that they would return the favour. Even if it is true, you are not obligated to help them, a few words of gratitude is more than enough from your side.


  • Trust your gut: When you're talking to someone, make it a point to listen to what that small voice in your head is telling you. Take note that your subconscious may be catching up on warning flags that you aren't even aware of. If you've been talking to someone for a while and you're feeling uneasy, there's a reason for it. In such a case, you may realise that it is preferable to cut off all communication with that individual, especially if the sensation continues.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Studio Ghibli Against Artifical Brushstrokes

-
Image
If you are into Anime or active on social media, you’ve likely heard of Studio Ghibli. Founded on June 15, 1985, this world-renowned Japanese animation studio has captivated audiences worldwide. From the 1988 film My Neighbour Totoro to the heavily accoladed 2023 film The Boy and the Heron, the works of Studio Ghibli are renowned for their comforting style of art, which sets them apart from other Japanese animations. These films and several other fan-favourites are the brainchildren of the studio’s honorary chairman, Hayao Miyazaki. While not all the studio’s works are his, they often follow a similar art style. His style portrays Japanese and Western elements, resembling watercolour paintings with soft pastel palettes. Each frame radiates comfort, making the visuals a work of art in themselves. Alongside Hayao Miyazaki, visionaries like Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki have also played crucial roles in shaping the Studio Ghibli productions we love and cherish today. All masterpieces ha...
Read more

Mind maps, Flashcards or Notes?

-
Image
If you had to remember 100 different terms for a very important exam, would you: draw out a mind map, create flashcards or make your personalised notes? Your performance in your exams is a direct reflection of the efficiency of the study method you use. Each study technique acts on the human brain differently but not all are effective for everyone. In this article, you will explore the pros and cons of various study techniques. Mind Mapping Mind mapping aids in studying by creating associations between ideas. Mind maps are charts, with the central topic at the centre. From there, its branches extend to the important subtopics and further divide into minor concepts. It helps visual learners understand the hierarchical structure of the materials. However, mind maps are mainly used as a supplementary studying tool rather than the primary source. The nature of mind maps doesn’t accommodate detailed information making them unfit as a primary study resource. Mind maps are particularly useful...
Read more

Checkmating Barriers: Chess as a Sport for All

-
Image
When FM Darpan Inani sits at a chessboard, he sees no pieces, yet he ‘sees’ every move. He is currently the best blind player in India and battles against sighted grandmasters throughout the world. He even brought India a gold medal at the Para Asian Games in 2023. Unlike other sports, chess requires a keen and focused mind rather than a perfectly oiled machine as a body. As Helen Keller once said, “The chief handicap of the blind is not blindness, but the attitude of seeing people towards them.” Chess challenges this attitude every day. Not many sports can be considered inclusive. The beauty of chess is seen in the diversity of the chess players; the pairing list is filled with names from different cultures, genders, ages and physical abilities. Numerous athletes with a range of disabilities have made it onto teams for competitions such as the World Chess Olympiad. The World Chess Federation (FIDE) is making constant efforts to equalise the playing field. FIDE is very dedicated to th...
Read more