On April 25, 2023, BCS hosted a screening and a student panel about the documentary The Social Dilemma. The students on the panel all had different opinions. For me, if there was one takeaway from watching The Social Dilemma that evening, it’s that the cons of social media outweigh the pros. Social media has created communities and opportunities for the talented and the imaginative. Yet it has also had a major influence on the minds of adults as well as children. The documentary goes deep into the inner workings of social media. The thought of these companies holding your information and using that to recommend and control the media you watch is a scary thought. Yet maybe it isn’t just the industry’s fault. Perhaps the public also holds some responsibility. After
all, I’m sure many who have seen the documentary will continue to use and consume social media.
The knowledge of social media’s inner workings is scary, but it has become a norm in our society and we may be at the point of no return. Perhaps banning social media isn’t the option, but to rather discipline ourselves to not get sucked into it. I have realized it’s not hard to see it once you realize what’s going on. I still use platforms such as YouTube and Instagram yet I can never look at them the same. I have always been aware of the dangers of social media yet there’s always something new to learn, and with that new information I have more of a reason to be aware. If you have an opportunity, please watch the documentary and reflect on how to address your own “social dilemma”!
