What generally do most of the teenagers spend their time on everyday?  What are the things that teenagers would visit more than their relatives?  Apparently, the answers would be some online social platforms like Facebook, Whatsapp or Instagram.  To many, these platforms are drugs.  However, why are they being so addictive?

In fact, the primary functions of these platforms are nothing magical.  Firstly, they allow users to update their status.  It is easy for teenagers to express their feelings by just typing a few lines or even selecting an emoji.  Secondly, if they are in no mood for text messages, they can choose to upload any photos or videos to tell their stories.  Finally, human beings need to chat with each other as badly as they need water, don’t they?  Rarely do we see people talking on the phone for too long and that is why mobile service providers are charging their customers more on the data usage than voice minutes.

So, if the functions of these platforms are that basic, how can they be so popular?  Actually, there is a formula for this mystery.  When there are convenience, mobility and stylishness on one side of the equation, popularity will often be on the other side.  First of all, no one would argue about the convenience of communicating online and only a small minority would choose to send letters rather than emails to their friends.  More importantly, its mobility is out of reality.  With the advance of mobile phones and broadband services, we can get in touch with almost anyone in anywhere by just a touch of our fingertip.  Lastly, who does not want to be stylish?  Despite the age groups, we are all afraid of being isolated by our peers.  As a result, when a new platform comes under the spotlight, it will tend to become more popular.

However, ubiquitous as they are, the latent downsides are not to be neglected.  When it comes to priority, nothing compares with safety.  To begin with, we need to pay full attention to the disclosure of our personal information.  The Internet is nothing but a public area; privacy is not something to be asked for.  Moreover, strangers who have monstrous intentions are just usual visitors to this park.  Internet users should take as much precautions to their personal data as if they were with their personal belongings in any theme parks.  Last but not least, the installation of firewalls and virus protection is a must.  No one would leave the front door of his house wide open but at the same time have the pipe dream of it being safe.

All in all, the water that bears the boat is the same that swallows it up.  It seems that these modern social networking tools have been waving the right wands for their popularity.  The only catch is that we need to bear the inconvenience of being alert when we enjoy the convenience brought to us by these daily necessities.