What are the advantages and disadvantages of using social networks for personal use?

Social networks have been estimated as an absolutely important technological revolution, and have been installed in the lives of all human beings for many years. But, nowadays, the rise of the same has increased remarkably.

Thanks to the wide variety of social media platforms that exist today, they can be sectioned off for various uses. Either on a personal, business, commercial, professional level, etc. But, despite the importance of each of these sectors, without a doubt the personal use of social networks is the most notable.

These platforms are visited by various people ranging from the youngest to the oldest; where everyone is entertained. However, there are various advantages and disadvantages regarding the personal use of social networkswhich is valuable to take into account and then we present them to you.

What are the most used social networks according to age?

Given that social networks allow all users to communicate more easily, exchange information quickly, carry out common activities and many other things that ensure entertainment, these platforms they are a true transformative movement. Therefore, for most it has become a way of life and of course, they have managed to change the daily habits and behavior of all people.

Nowadays, it is completely strange that any person (regardless of their age), does not have a profile for private use in any social network. Therefore, there are approximately 2,000 million users who have a presence on some platform of this type, Worldwide. Especially, due to the great diversity that exists and that adapts to all tastes and requirements.

In this way, both the adult generations, as well as the millennials (generation Y), the centenarians (generation Z) and the smallest, have a presence in one or several social networks and almost with total equality, each one of these people are increasingly interested in enter the digital world.

But well, since there are several platforms and they all present different content, it is important to know the most used social networks today, according to age ranges:

For users between 12 and 18 years old (Generation Z)

Without a doubt, these are the youngest of all the age ranges present in social networks. which, generally, choose to use Instagramgiven that they are lovers of sharing all kinds of photographs, audiovisual content and of course, showing off to get more followers.

Also, being a platform that works together with “instagram stories”, allows them to follow their favorite celebrities and always be connected with their day to day. Also taking into account that they are motivated by the various effects offered by said types of stories, since this tends to attract more attention.

In addition to that, young people between 12 and 18 years of age are fans of the social network, YouTube. Since, usually, they use this platform in television mode to enjoy diverse content that is fashionable and of course, to listen to music of any genre that interests themhaving a great variety.

For users between the ages of 18 and 30 (Millennials)

Next, we find the famous millennials who commonly prefer to share and view all kinds of content (photos, videos, statuses, follow pages, etc.) on Facebook. Being a platform, with which many of these users debuted in the great world of social networks, due to how dynamic and complete it is, since its inception and that, in addition, allows them to stay updated with what is happening in the world.

Now, after Facebook, millennials prefer to use Twitter. Because it is a social network where you can find out about all kinds of current news and always be aware of what is happening.

On the other hand, these users also stay active on instagram, thanks to the remarkable power that this social media platform has taken. Thus, a means they use to publish photos, states and of course, to follow the celebrities who most attract their attention.

However, thanks to the diversity offered by YouTubethis social network is also widely managed by people between 18 and 30 years old, as well as Spotify to listen to music anywhere.

For adults between 30 and 55 years of age

As social networks have spared no one, users between the ages of 30 and 55 also exhibit high engagement on these platforms on a daily basis. Thus, they choose use Facebook and Twitter, In most cases. Since, they are more dynamic social networks and they disclose much more news than other options, in addition to having a diversity of content.

Likewise, a great presence of these users in social networks is noted. like LinkedIneven though it seems unimaginable. Well, they take advantage of this platform to be connected with their work contacts, because it is about a more professional solution than those mentioned above.

Comparative graph in the use of social networks: Generation Z vs Millennials

Users over 65 years of age also have a presence on social networks

In general, the use of social networks is not related to the elderly. However, according to published studies, today there are more than 40 million users over 65 yearswho make use of these platforms around the world.

In this sense, these users prefer to use and manage social networks like Facebook and Twitter, because they are the ones that allow them to be most connected with their relatives, especially with their children and grandchildren. Likewise, they use them to keep an eye on current news and, above all, to access them quickly and easily.

Infographic: Graphic use of social networks by age

What are the advantages of social networks on a personal level?

As we mentioned at the beginning of the post, it is important to know the main advantages offered by social networks in terms of their personal use, for users of any age range. That is why, below, we present the most important benefits of this today:

Information and entertainment in real time

One of the main reasons why people decide to access their account in a certain social network is to always stay informed and also to get out of the day-to-day routine a bit. Therefore, one of the most relevant advantages of using these platforms on a personal level is having information and entertainment in real time. Taking into account that, you can select which media or which celebrities to follow, regardless of their location worldwide.

Instant communication with who wish

It is no secret to anyone that one of the most significant purposes of social networks is to offer all users the possibility of communicate and interact with each other with total simplicity. Because of this, you can instantly establish conversations with other users, whether they are family members, friends, acquaintances or people to meet and share new moments through this medium.

Remarkable skill sharing

Thanks to the fact that social networks are available in every country in the world, there are practically users of different nationalities, with different tastes and unique skills. For this reason, they are platforms that offer the opportunity to learn new languages, to the extent that you communicate with users in other countries. Like, you can relate to people who you teach a new tradethey share you hobbies other than yours and in such a way, you can constantly learn new things.

Power of activism and/or social denunciation

Although it is true, publications on social networks have a great reach and thanks to this, they make it easier for various situations to come to light that, in many media, can go unnoticed. This, cooperates in favor of the collective complaint, in order to carry out campaigns and in this way, put an end to crimes, situations where inequality, corruption, etc. are evident. In addition, they also allow carry out charitable worksuch as helping people who need it most and even abandoned animals.

Greater job opportunities

Today, many companies investigate personal profiles on some social networks, in order to study your potential candidates better and learn a little more about them. For this reason, if you carefully manage your accounts in Facebook, Twitter and LinkedInfor example, you might have increased job opportunities. Being this, an excellent cover letter today that, without a doubt, you should take advantage of.

Proximity to informative virtual groups

In most social platforms, there are virtual groups that are responsible for provide knowledge and information ideal for training activities and in this way, they have the greatest availability to solve your doubts at any time. Which is evidenced mostly in university groups and groups created by specialists in certain disciplines.

meet new people every day

This can be considered a great advantage. Since, when meeting new people, it is very possible that exchange different ways of thinking and also around customs. Thanks to this, it is possible to break down barriers at a physical, cultural and even religious level. Many times even social networks allow you to meet the love of your life or make excellent friends.

What are the dangers and disadvantages of using social networks on a personal level?

Even though there are so many advantages when using social networks personally, there are also latent dangers and disadvantages that must be taken into account whenever you access your profiles. Therefore, we want to introduce you below, The biggest cons that exist when using social networks on a personal level:

identity theft

It is a model of computer abuse that is based on making use of a type of social engineering with which it is attempted obtain confidential information from any Internet user without their consentie fraudulently. Unfortunately, this is achieved a lot on social networks and it doesn’t even depend on how each person uses it, because all users have the same risk regarding this problem. In case you are a victim of it, The most opportune thing is that you denounce immediately.

Lack of privacy

Given that they are platforms where you publish all kinds of content, be it photos and videos, you also have personal conversations and reveal personal data, it is very likely that your privacy is not maintained at all and this can sometimes be dangerous if users with bad intentions observe you. Especially, when you make use of the well-known geolocation.

Indeed, it is important that you carefully review the privacy settings of all the social networks you manage, before you start uploading this type of content. And likewise always you must be careful with everything you post and show to others.

Being a victim of cyberbullying and grooming

One of the greatest dangers both in social networks and on the Internet in general, is the cyberbullying or cyberbullying and grooming. Being two great phenomena that stalk, mainly, children and young minorsand have even ended the lives of many innocents.

Basically, cyberbullying It consists of humiliating a person using cruel messages, with a number of insults and even threats that sow fear in said users. For its part, grooming It is a tactic used by pedophiles to become very close friends with young people, in order to obtain erotic photos or videos.

Faced with these two threats present in social networks that mostly affect the little ones in the house, it is important that you keep your children informed about it, so that they avoid any contact with strangers and of course, you must be constantly aware of everything they do on their social profiles. Although even older people they can also be victims of it.

the scams

As today, many companies are seen that operate virtually on social networks, it is very possible that some of these profiles are simple scammers looking for your bank details or for the purpose of get some payment from you. Thus, a tactic that has increased notably on these platforms and therefore, it is very important that you do not reveal any information of this type virtually or make payments. unless they are verified profiles on Facebook, Instagrametc.

Development of diction to social networks

In general, social networks are used in moments of leisure and in order to entertain themselves and get out of the routine, but this can often be turned into a negative aspect. Since, despite their advantages, they are platforms that support wasting time and with it, develop a noticeable addiction to social media in users that many times, it can be dangerous. Especially in young people who want to always stay connected to optimize the image they reflect on social networks.

In this case, it is valuable to control the habits of these young people and determine an opportune time for them to remain on their social profiles. For with it, prevent them from wasting more time than indicated and in this way, they can develop a great addiction.

Obtain and handle false information

Given that there is no certain control of social networks when publishing an event or news, it is common to find false headlines which, unfortunately, have gone viral worldwide on several occasions. Because of this, people can estimate something that is not really happening and spread the word, which is not timely because it can cause serious rumors and false expectations in users.

A great decrease in personal contact

Due to the importance that people give to social networks, they often forget about the outside world. Since, as they are media that you can access wherever you want just by using a mobile or tablet, you can lose or diminish the social skills that characterize the human being. Namely, you stop interacting with those around you, you are no longer interested in sharing a chat with a family member or friend, you can hardly enjoy a special moment, etc.