People in this technological era are increasingly reliant on social media and its platforms due to its benefits and engaging features. Similarly, employees use social media as both a personal stress reliever and a professional problem solver.
However, anything that is used excessively can sometimes have adverse consequences.
The majority of employees about 60% believe that social media can aid in better decision-making and that it can enhance working relationships—at 82% each.
However, organizations also believe that social media undermines productivity, with more than half of US-based companies restricting access to social networking sites while employees are at work.
So, let us evaluate both the advantages and disadvantages of social media in the workplace.
Social Media at Workplace: Advantages
- Enhanced Data Access and Awareness:
If used wisely, social media can be an extremely effective tool. Social media has produced several outlets for political activity and social issues including mental health awareness.
To lessen the stigma associated with mental health issues and obtain the appropriate care, it is helpful to enable conversations about these issues, share information, and access a variety of options.
- Mental Break for Employees:
It is unreasonable to expect employees to put in eight hours of nonstop work without any breaks, and research indicates that it is also not productive. Efficiently utilizing social media can give employees time off from their work and a chance to “reboot” before returning to finish the task at hand.
Additionally, allowing for flexibility and encouraging a good work-life balance through individual use of social media can reduce the likelihood of burnout.
- Employee Engagement:
Through the use of social media at work a maximum of twenty percent of the employee’s working hours can boost productivity by up to 9%, according to a study. This is so that employees may interact and work together more effectively because of social media. Social media can also encourage employees to feel more invested in what they do, which can boost happiness at work and morale.
Employers who permit the use of social networking sites in the office might expect to see improvements in performance, Employee Engagement, and efficiency.
- Employer brand awareness on social media:
A comprehensive social media involvement may improve the perception of a company, draw in potential employees, and help with recruitment. A robust presence can help an organization distinguish out in an increasingly competitive environment:
The organization’s brand will be enhanced, products or services will be highlighted, and talent will be attracted and retained if employees are encouraged to write about how much they enjoy their jobs and share fascinating company-related information. Many occupations today demand publishing, sharing, and following up on social media platforms, and more companies are becoming mindful of these advantages.
Social Media at Workplace: Disadvantages
- Decreases Employee Efficiency:
The fact that social media offers continual availability of friends and family for employees is the most evident issue with its use in the office. This may be a major diversion that adversely affects engagement and employee productivity.
70% of organizations claimed they had to discipline employees for using social media inappropriately.
- Detrimental to Employees’ Mental Well-being:
Excessive use of social media at the office might be causing damage to the mental well-being of employees. Social media’s constant display of edited and idealized representations of other people’s lives might make users feel inadequate. Despair, worry, and low self-esteem may emerge from this. Employees could experience pressure to always maintain a social media presence to avoid feeling left out. Stress levels could increase as a result, and an uneven work-life schedule could be destructive to overall health and well-being.
- Inability to Sleep:
If used extensively, social media can affect an employee’s sleep schedule. Because of the blue light created by screens and their ongoing connection to social media, individuals can have trouble falling asleep.
Late-night social media use can impact the quality and length of one’s natural sleep, leaving people exhausted, irritable, and unable to concentrate. Additional sleep deprivation might result in decreased productivity and general health issues.
Recommended Writing: Why having a Good Sleep is important for Employee Health and Wellness?
- Poses a threat to security:
Social media can pose security risk factors, just like any other online community. Malicious software and viruses may invade work computers and provide a security risk, particularly when employees use individual social media at work.
If a virus does manage to enter the computer, it can reveal private data. It’s crucial to describe these potential dangers and countermeasures, keeping them consistent with the organization’s social media policy.
Effects of using Social Media on Mental Health and Measures to limit it:
Employee’s quality of life and outlook on the world may be dramatically impacted by social media’s influence on mental health. There is a clear connection between people’s use of social media and how it impacts their mental health. When people compare their lives to those of others, their self-worth and self-confidence may decrease, which makes them feel even more lonely and depressed.
It is possible to balance social media use with other facets of life, though. One can simply preserve their mental health when utilizing social media with the appropriate ideas and techniques.
- Cut Back on Screen Time
- Develop mindfulness
- Consider putting in place a social media rehabilitation period.
- Give priority to relationships and connections in real-life
Social media has largely taken over practically every individual’s life, and its implications on mental health are now the subject of increased research. Social media can have a beneficial or negative impact on mental health.
Likewise, it can offer assistance to those who are struggling with mental health problems. In the meanwhile, prolonged social media addiction may cause emotions of loneliness, sadness, and worry.
Conclusion:
Social media has emerged as an essential asset in the workplace, with benefits and drawbacks. Employers must, however, be careful to consider any potential effects on productivity, employee mental health, and wellness.
Organizations may maximize the advantages of using social media in the workplace by putting in place appropriate regulations and encouraging accountable utilization.