Social networks today, a scourge or an el dorado?

The Internet has consecrated the rise of social networks, and has made some real social media, which allow Internet users and professionals to create a profile page and share information, photos and videos with their network. Sharing spaces that stand out for their usefulness (personal, professional, meetings ...), their logo and their audiences. A space that occupies an important part of our daily life today and changes our habits of consuming, having fun or even creating.

Social networks have evolved a lot in recent years and affect a very large part of the world population today. A figure that may seem worrying because these social networks present many dangers : the naive use of social networks can have emotional, financial but also legal consequences and lead, in some cases, to the disclosure or propagation of your personal data. Children and teens are already at risk on social media, but adults, governments, banks and even large web companies are not safe.

Social media is more popular than ever. Of the approximately 3.43 billion Internet users worldwide, 2.28 billion people (i.e. almost one third of the world's population) regularly visit social networks (an increasing trend). Facebook, the platform with the highest number of monthly clicks, leads the pack and celebrates a double victory among mobile device users with its WhatsApp subsidiary.

Social networks are full of hackers, cyber criminals and data sellers. Facebook and the company also contain other dangers that you should protect yourself from.

1. Social networks and their dangers: likes make you addictive

Young people are particularly vulnerable to becoming dependent on the Internet: in a phase of life where social contact with peers plays an important role in self-esteem and identification, likes and requests from friends lead to passing more and more time in front of his screen.

2. Privacy and Messaging: Bullying in the Digital Age

While some people find their daily dose of happiness on the Internet, others must always prepare for the worst as soon as they connect to social networks: they are victims of cyber-bullying or harassment. Students ostracized in the classroom are often victims of repeated abuse on the Internet. This may even include threats of violence, slander or the posting of personal photos. Victims of harassment often face threatening messages. By uploading publicly viewable photos and sharing upcoming events, many users make it much easier for potential followers who want to trap them.

3. Facebook and the dangers of data sharing: misuse and dissemination of personal information

Traveling on the Internet leaves traces. Anyone who posts their Facebook timeline and feeds the Silicon Valley giant information about their age, favorite music, passion for games, or favorite fashion brands in their daily life leaves a digital footprint the size of Godzilla's. This is clearly announced in the general conditions of sale: Facebook not only has the rights to all the images that you download on its platform, but can also resell public profile data to its partners, i.e. practically a digital file.

However, social networks do not only focus on dangers for users. Indeed there are a large number of advantages that make them popular today.

1. Get in and stay in touch with friends and family

2. Develop social capital

3. Forge your own identity

4. Develop creative skills under the impulse of the realization and sharing of images

Develop critical thinking and open-mindedness if the young person’s online network is diverse enough to connect with many different opinions and perspectives. This stimulates the development of openness and other visions and opinions.

5. Knowledge sharing

In short, social networks present both advantages and dangers. It is essential to understand them properly in order to be able to make the most of all the benefits of these social networks.