On an average, employees spend approx. 52 min on social media platforms during working hours for non-work related purposes. This results in loss of productivity on a daily basis.
This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. This article will highlight some of the negative impact of social media on productivity.
1. Excessive Use
Generally, the word ‘productivity’ means to achieve/accomplish optimum results as per work description (without any distraction). So, if employees spend time on social media apps for non-work related activities during office hours then this will definitely deviate them from their job responsibilities and thus, will lead to decrease in overall organizational productivity.
Also, excessive usage of social media leads to sleep deprivation which ultimately depletes workplace productivity. Scrolling through social media last thing at night or first thing in the morning can cause a lack of full night’s rest which may negatively impact mental health as well. Therefore, it is important to set limits for employees when they are using social media at work. This will assist them in regulating their usage and will also reduce the negative impacts of social media on productivity.
2. Distraction
One of the biggest disadvantages that social media can cause is distraction. The constant temptation to check social media can result in employees being pulled away from their work and can significantly decrease productivity.
It is also a common distraction for students and teenagers, particularly when they are in the classroom. This is because social media has many entertaining channels and content that divert the attention of the user. This is a big problem, especially as it can lead to ocular and auditory misperception and reduce the ability to understand lecture content provided visually.
Moreover, social media can cause a number of emotional issues. It can trigger feelings of low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. It can also make people feel alienated from their peers. In addition, it can also lead to the spread of false information and gossip. In a business setting, this can be harmful and may result in defamation of the company or employees.
3. Misuse
Some social media users misuse their rights to express their opinions on any issue which hurts the feelings of others or creates disharmony on a large scale. These misuses can lead to various problems which may affect productivity in the long run.
Misuse of social media can also be a major concern because it can increase the chances of cyber-attacks by sharing sensitive information to outsiders, cyber-crooks and others which can be harmful for organizations. This can lead to a loss of productivity as well as data breaches that could damage company reputation.
Employees spend a lot of time on social media during work hours which can take away from their productivity. When employees waste their time, it reduces their efficiency and can also affect the overall performance of the organization. As a result, it is important to have a good policy on how employees use their social media at work. This will help to minimize the negative impact on productivity. For example, it is important to encourage workers to take breaks from their phones so that they can refocus their attention and get back to work more efficiently.
4. Harassment
Harassment on social media can be severe, pervasive, and devastating. It can take many forms and target people of all ages. A common method is to publicly shame victims by posting negative information about them online or in public. It can also be done by sending them unsolicited and threatening e-mail, bombarding them with messages on their social media pages or via messaging apps.
Defamation and cyberbullying are common in the workplace, and they can be very damaging. It is important to keep in mind that it’s not always the victims fault. It could be a result of a workplace environment or a personal situation that led to the harassment.
It’s important to have a strong regulating policy in place to help protect employees from social media harassment. While it may seem like a small problem, it can have a huge impact on a person’s mental health. Harassment can lead to depression, anxiety, and even suicide. It is a very serious issue and needs to be taken seriously by law enforcement, social media companies, and victims.
5. Conflict
Social media has a positive side to it, but it can also be a source of conflict in the workplace. People may gossip about their coworkers or share offensive material. This can lead to a loss of productivity in the workplace because employees are distracted by what they are seeing on social media.
Another potential source of conflict is polarization, which can occur when individuals are sequestered in filter bubbles that reinforce their own beliefs. People can then become blind to opposing viewpoints and spread misinformation. Businesses can face similar problems when conversations on intranets and enterprise collaboration tools veer off into non-work-related topics. It is difficult to monitor these conversations and ensure that they don’t offend anyone.
Conflicts can be draining, so it is important to pick your battles wisely. For example, it might not be worth arguing over a parking space if there are dozens of empty spots in the lot. It is also important to try to find common interests. If Teresa and Heitor both want to attract more customers, for example, they might be able to agree on the best way to do that.
