ตัวอย่างงานเขียนสอบทุนรัฐบาล(ทุนคิง วิวัฒนฯ ธปท. กระทรวงฯ)

ลำดับตอนที่ #3 : Writing_Long Essay_Social Networks in Thai Society

Do social networks have positive or negative impacts on Thai society

Popular worldwide, social networks enable users to create and share content, thereby expanding their online circle of friends. In less than two decades subsequent to their advent, social networks have become a forum in which a significant portion of personal relationships and social interactions have taken place. Their ever-growing popularity has aroused worries that use of social media, among others, poses risk to mental and physical health, reduces social interactions in the physical world, and exposes users to cybercrime. The innovation has, however, yielded myriad benefits to Thai society, namely facilitating communication, strengthening democracy and stimulating the economy.

The most obvious benefit social networks bring about lies in the unprecedentedly convenient communication at all levels. In addition to speed that has long been offered through conventional emails and instant messaging applications, social networks enable users to post opinions and comments visible to their friends or, in some cases, all Internet users. With a vast number of users comes an overwhelming diversity of topics discussed on the platforms, including, among others, political and economic news and other current situations. Politicians even adopt social networks to reach the public easing the publication of their political ideologies and the cultivation of more intimate relationships with their constituents. The ease of posting, commenting and sharing has conferred unprecedentedly penetrating power upon the communication channel. Not only are users readily introduced to the problems confronting the public, but they are also at liberty to discuss at a much more profound level.

In addition, the emergence popularity of social media has revolutionized political participation, granting the people more freedom to exchange their political opinions. In the absence of social media, publishing an article or broadcasting a show to a mass audience would require considerable resources and connections with major publishers or television and radio stations. The content of a significant portion of programs is also subject to the government scrutiny. In effect, the public would be restricted to the information disseminated on mainstream media, sometimes through the eyes of the government. The advent of social media, however, has brought about the unprecedented ease with which information can be circulated. Any Internet user can act as the press by posting their thoughts on a particular subject. Not only has a wealth of information become freely accessible to all Internet users, but social networks have also served as an open forum for political discussions in which anyone can contribute their thoughts. Mass dissemination of political messages is therefore limited to scholars and authorities in political science. Equipped with political insight, individuals can make more informed decisions when casting their ballots. Furthermore, they can act as watchdogs and whistleblowers by monitoring government actions. Should any legitimate suspicion arise, social network users can publish posts calling for collective political action. Unlike chat engines or websites, social networks can reach millions, if not billions, of users who can leave comments or share messages that will be visible to millions more. Social networks have thus become a major, if not the primary, means by which truly participatory democracy flourishes.

Since its boom, social media has also driven significant global economic growth by unlocking new opportunities and connecting people, brands and businesses more efficiently.Prior to the advent of social media, brands had to pay a substantial amout of money for traditional advertising that may not have reached their target markets. At present, however, businesses which own and create their digital media content breaks down the barriers to reach new audiences by employing big data. Furthermore, the lack of funds to open a shop no longer impedes one’s attempt to run a business. Dreaming to be an eutrepreneur, people can conveniently run their business at home through functions that social media has offered, be they creating online page, online advertisement, and analysing their potential customers. Not only does social media yield benefits to business people, but also to the customers. Buyers can use social networks to maximize their self interests in shopping by comparing each brand’s information and reading reviews before making a decision to buy a product.

In conclusion, social networks confers upon Thai citizens numerous benefits socially, politically and economically. Although allegedly implicated in various behavioral problems and cybercrimes, including advertising frauds, these dangers, in fact, stem from mere misuse of social networks, which is by no means intrinsic to the media. It is therefore advisable that the public be educated in how they can utilize the technology to its full potential. Only when the public use social networks with caution can the technology yield maximum benefits to both individual users and the society at large.