Likes, Popularity, and Truth

 Likes, Popularity, and Truth

The rise of social media is constantly evolving.  From its inception through present day, it has grown to something people can't live without. Throughout the decade social media has changed. One major change is how public the web truly is. Nothing posted online is truly private. You may think the only people who can view your pictures or see your post are the people you're friends with, but in reality anyone can see your post, and unfortunately the lack of privacy is decreasing.  When you post something to the web, it is there for permanently even if the post is deleted. You must take responsibility of what you post and where you post it.

Social media is a huge platform where information can be expressed in many ways. The information on a social media platform may be true or completely false. A lot of the time, the viewers of the posts do not get the whole picture, so they believe only what they can see. In the midst of Kobe Bryant's tragic death, there were many incomplete and false accusation being shared by the media, even though all of the facts have not yet been revealed. In the case of the Kobe Bryant tragedy Rick Fox, a former teammate of Kobe's had received reports that he was on the flight with Bryant. Rumors began to circulate, even Fox began receiving multiple phone calls from loved ones fearing the worse. While reassuring friends and family, Fox was informed on the tragic loss of his friend and teammate. Fox had no recollection of where the rumors and misinformation started. Fox was the one who had to post to the public that he was alive and well, and that he was not on the helicopter with Kobe Bryant. Privacy is hard to have once being in the public eye. Rumors are spread every single day because people do not get the whole story and they make it up themselves. The things that are posted online could potentially hurt someone, so always think before you post.

Social Media is a very powerful place. Once something is posted, it is nearly impossible to delete for good. We live in a world where most news sources we receive information from are being posted to a social media platform before it's reported on live TV. Many view and search for only what they want to see and know about. When the news of Kobe Bryant was released, a lot of people had questions. Social media viewers wanted answers, so they used social media as a way to find their answers whether they found facts or rumors. With the news reports taking awhile to release information, so they wouldn't post rumors, viewers ended up reading and believing false information. Unfortunately, false information is released and believed daily, and there's nothing that can stop readers from believing it until the truth is finally released.


Social Media is a very smart and controlling platform. Most people may believe that it is a dangerous place, and it could be, but there is no denying that social media platforms are useful. The people who use social media are the ones who need to decide what kind of platform they want to use. One they can use safely or one that may put them in danger. When it comes to posting on social media, you must be smart on what you say, do, and believe. Not everything you read online is the truth. Find reliable sources to help you learn the facts. Nothing on social media is truly private. The wrong people can find your account and use it against. That's why it is important to use social media safely, but you can still use it for fun by sharing memes, Tik Tok's and watching funny cat videos.