Social media is such an amazing invention. It allows us to connect with family, friends, coworkers, and strangers with similar interests. But is life immersed in Social media really that great? Well, just like any other technology Social media has its fair share of pros and cons.
This generation is no different from the previous generation and generations to come. In the 1940s and 50s, people had their heads in the newspaper and ears on the radio, in the 60s and 70s it was the Television. Now it’s social media, thanks to the invention of smartphones. You walk into a coffee shop and everyone is either on their phone or laptop. What’s happening in our society and culture is just an evolution of technology.
Technology provides us with additional pathways to act on these behavioral tendencies that have always existed. We should not “feel sorry” for the couple on a date who are immersed on their phones. For all we know, their phones are providing a different, more constructive outlet to focus their attention instead of allowing for arguments or awkward silence. Two people who didn’t like each other would ignore each other regardless of Instagram or TikTok.
It is very easy to get addicted to this platform because many feel the need to always track the likes on their posts.
I use two social media platforms the most, Instagram and WhatsApp. It is through these two platforms that I can connect with family and friends. Instagram reels keep me sane on bad days because I’d comfortably scroll through and take up a challenge or just stay immersed going through funny dance videos and memes. However, It is very easy to get addicted to this platform because many feel the need to always track the likes on their posts.
Sharing your vacation highlights with friends and family is one thing, flaunting your luxuries for likes is another. Tying your ego into Instagram is a tricky game. Your worth is not equated to your like, comment, or share count on Instagram. Your value is inherent and utterly unrelated to any social media app.
Nowadays, kids as young as 2 years old already have access to smartphones. One must ask, what kind of future will those kids have? Some parents I know are concerned that children will not know how to socialize and that technology is ruining people’s ability to effectively converse with each other. Some suggest that those kids will grow up having to deal with anxiety and lower self-esteem, and will be more prone to cyberbullying.
The problem is that we get scared of everything that we didn’t grow up with; it’s what human beings do. Every new medium brings along a healthy fear that the newest invention will ruin society. But the truth is that people will always be looking for new ways to be entertained, consume media, and engage with each other.
So is social media ruining our generation? Either you are a pessimist or an optimist on this issue. I am an optimist. This is just evolution.
