The Hidden Effects of Social Media on Thoughts and Actions

Abstract

Nowadays, social media is being widely used, which brings individuals the convenience of obtaining information, but at the same time, its disadvantages are also apparent. It can be said that the characteristics and functions of social media are a double-edged sword; it has a significant impact on individuals because it will subconsciously change peoples identity from active seekers of information to passive consumers. Therefore, this paper will focus on how social media decreases individuals willingness and initiative to receive information and how social media uses algorithms and big data to influence peoples perceptions and actions. For example, silently, social media algorithms create a filtering bubble so that individuals can only see posts that are similar to their viewpoints; and how social media platforms establish business profit models that change individuals traditional consumption patterns and the functioning of related business markets. As social media continues infiltrating personal lives, the authors conclude that people will lose their online identity and become more passive.