This Social Media Day, celebs weigh in on the potential and perils

The world celebrated Social Media Day on June 30. Social Media today has become a powerful medium for corporate, businesses, celebrities and individuals alike. The boom in various social media platforms has made the careers of many people and given not just employment, but also name and fame to them. It has also provided a platform to a lot of gifted people to showcase their talent to a world stage, which would otherwise not have been possible. It is indeed a powerful tool of communication and has had a huge impact on everyone’s lives.

Unfortunately, there has also been a darker side of social media – one that is often taken over by trolls, cyber bullies, and what is usually referred to as the ‘Cancel Army’. There have been cases where rumours and fake news have resulted in even in death of people. The craze for Likes has sometimes taken a dangerous turn.

Like any successful medium, there will always be two sides to it, and the need to be judicious in how it is used.

On the occasion of Social Media Day, Adgully spoke to a cross-section of celebrities and discussed the importance, advantages and disadvantages of social media, since they are some of the most followed personalities on social media platforms and their opinion matters the most to their followers.

Tanisha Mukerji

“Social media is the new marketing tool. First, only actors and celebrities needed it. But now, since personal perception and public perception is all becoming one, and your personal life is as connected to your public life and influences people's decisions about you that much. Even corporates and things are requiring a lot of social media marketing. I think it's very interesting to see how images are created and how personal lives affect the image so strongly of the person that they are looking up to. So, it is a very interesting time and I love it. I love social media. I think it can be used for a lot of good, yes, there's a lot of negativity on it, but there is, I always look at things from a positive point of view. So, I think that it can really be used as a tool for massive change because it is the one tool that is actually connecting to every, every single human being on this earth.”  

Monaz Mevawalla  

“There are so many advantages of social media. Like, you can connect through people on social media anywhere in the whole world. You can promote your brands on social media. You can post your content, because before so many creators out there, they had no platform to upload their content on. So, now that one platform is there, you can be in touch with the whole world. It’s like this amazing web of connectivity that we get so much news and information. Disadvantages would be that sometimes we get so addicted to social media that we lose touch with reality. Hence, social media addiction happens. It actually gives rise to a lot of spammers, haters, you know, bullies, people who have so much hatred in their heart, they just want to express it out there. Expression happens in all forms, positive and negative. Not everything that we see on social media is true. Comparisons keep happening that, ‘Wow, she’s so happy and I’m not’. So, it leads to depression. But I think everything, if done by the inner limit, should not cause any problems.”

Sachin Shroff

“I feel that the advantages of social media would be ease of access and convenience ingetting a lot of information, which it is on your fingertips just in case if you are busy in some other work or something, maybe just something pops up on a phone and you can just read it and you get information. I feel that it also helps in innovation and learning if it is used in a good way. One more advantage is that it provides entertainment and definitely if it is used as a business tool, it is very helpful. The disadvantage I would say is that it becomes like an addiction. I mean, people keep on scrolling reels and then they just get addicted to it. One more disadvantage would be, if you are on social media and a little weak hearted, there would be a lot of harassment. People tend to post comments which might just not put you in the right spot. It could basically be bullying or harassment. For kids, I feel that it sometimes creates a kind of social isolation. Kids don’t get out of the house, which is very important for them. They should go out and play sports and everything. One important disadvantage, I feel, is that it could lead to depression, because when you see a lot of people becoming successful, you feel that when others are doing it, I’m not able to do it. Whereas on social media so many things are fake. So, you need to be a little careful.”

Ssmilley Suri

“Because of social media, the world has become a closer place. You have access to knowledge, information, and to promote yourself and put yourself out there, and reach out, communicate with old friends and buddies. The world has become a smaller place, we can be anywhere we want to, and we have access to knowledge and everything we want. So, those are the advantages of social media. The disadvantages of social media is, of course, the Wi Fi frequencies, artificial intelligence, and how it is picking up on everything your mind. We have this constant addiction, the blue light syndrome, the hazards, and that our children are growing up and they have so much information available to them and so much of life and its dangers available on the click of a button. We are not going out that much more – to theatres, parks, doing simple activities like climbing trees. So, I feel there is a loss of innocence because of social media.”

Saanand Verma

“Definitely, social media is very, very important. It is the reality of today’s life and I believe in going with the flow. I also respect and adore social media because it has a wide reach. Social media likes, followers, or views impact society. Some people create harmful videos that negatively impact society and humanity. But there are also those who try to convey meaningful messages, which are beneficial to the society and have entertainment value. That’s how I view social media. As an actor, social media gives us recognition. My reels and shorts are recognized through social media. Television content, even ‘Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain’, can become memes on social media. I use social media regularly, and television content is now available on mobile through social media. There is a lot of material available, and as an artist, social media provides a significant platform for recognition, allowing us to reach a wider audience.”

Aparna Dixit

“I see social media as a powerful tool for storytelling and engagement. It is amazing how we can reach out to our audience directly, breaking the traditional barriers of communication. But, we must be cautious. The addictive nature of these platforms can take a toll on one's mental health. Use it wisely, enjoy the benefits, but always prioritize your well-being over the number of likes and followers.”

Radhika Vidyasagar

“Social media is a remarkable tool for storytelling and interaction. It allows me to share my work and personal moments directly with fans, creating a sense of community. However, it is easy to get caught up in the numbers – Likes, followers, shares – and lose sight of what truly matters. The virtual world can sometimes overshadow real-life experiences and relationships. I believe in using social media to spread positivity and stay connected, but it's crucial to disconnect regularly and live in the moment. Balance is everything; social media should enhance our lives, not control them.”

Aradhana Sharma

“For me, social media is a window to the world. It lets me connect with fans, promote my projects, and share causes close to my heart. But with great reach comes great responsibility. The platform can be a hotbed for misinformation and negativity. It is essential to fact-check and spread kindness. I have learned to focus on the positive aspects, like the support from fans and the ability to raise awareness. Social media is a powerful tool, but it is up to us to use it wisely and not let it dictate our happiness or self-worth.”

Celesti Bairagey

“Social media helps us reach out to a lot of people quickly. It is great for sharing our work and thoughts with fans. But it also means dealing with trolls and criticism all the time. Not all feedback is helpful, so we need to focus on using social media to inspire and have fun, not to stress ourselves out.”