Results of a new High Point University Poll released on Monday, March 20, found that nearly half the people in the state think the internet has been a good thing.
However, many responders said they’ve been displeased by the effect of social media in society.
Here is one question asked: “Overall, when you add up all the advantages and disadvantages of the internet, would you say the internet has been mostly a good thing or a bad thing?”
The answers?
Good thing – 43 percent
Bad thing – 11 percent
Some of both – 42 percent
Unsure – 4 percent
Another question reads, “What about online social media? When you add up all the advantages and disadvantages of social media applications, would you say social media has been mostly a good thing or a bad thing?”
Good thing – 21 percent
Bad thing – 29 percent
Some of both – 45 percent
Unsure – 5 percent
Despite having negative feelings about social media apps and webpages like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok, 83 percent of state residents polled said that they use some form of social media – and 55 percent of those who do use social media said that they’ve seen instances of someone being intimidated physically or socially online.
According to the results of the survey of state residents, nearly half (47 percent) of those social media users said they either strongly agree or agree that people who are being bullied on social media should “just unplug.” One-quarter said they strongly disagree or disagree.
About one-third of social media users said they either strongly agree or agree they have “felt a reduced sense of self-worth due to things that have been said to them on social media,” and almost half said they strongly disagree or disagree that their self-worth had been reduced by social media content.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, about two in five North Carolinians said someone had sent them explicit images they didn’t ask for.
Social media & dumbphones are ruining our society. Everyone hides behind a machine, and says things they wouldn’t consider sayin in person.
Try getting out in the world. It’s a beautiful place, not a picture on a little rectangle. Use the telephone.
Worst invention of our lifetime? It’s a hard call, but smartphones have to be worse than nuclear or chemical weapons because they slowly erode the minds of billions & creating zombies im the process. We don’t need an instant world. Bring back 1985 when the world made sense!
P.S. Where’s Al Gore hiding in all of this? Does he only take credit for the internet when someone praises it?