With the ever-growing influence of social media in our lives, it’s hard to ignore its impact on our reality. Social media has changed the way we consume information, interact with each other, and even how we think about ourselves. We now live in a society that’s constantly plugged in, creating a different form of reality where both positive and negative impacts can be seen.
First, social media gives us the ability to stay connected with friends without having to be in the same physical space. Messaging apps like Whatsapp, Messenger, or Wechat allow people to stay in contact with each other, even when they’re miles apart. In addition, people are now able to connect, collaborate, and build relationships across boundaries they weren’t able to before. This bridge has deeply modified how people communicate and has opened doors for more diverse opinions, debates, and discussions.
On the other hand, however, social media can also be a great source of distraction. Many studies have suggested that the large amount of time spent on social media or other technology has serious psychological, productivity, and even health impacts. People get stuck scrolling through endless feeds, getting bombarded with news, images, and ideas of what their lives should be like. This may lead to comparisons, jealousy, and even envy as they see what others have and they don’t.
Social media also can be used to support inaccurate information and even lies. Fake news outbreaks, such as in the last US election, caused chaos and confusion among many people who believed what to be true. Social media has made it easier than ever to spread such information to larger groups of people and more importantly, it’s made it hard to separate fact from fiction. Fake videos, doctored images, and even bots may show up in users’ feeds and making them believe conspiracy theories or even worse, influence their judgement regarding important matters.
Finally, many people use social media as an escape from reality, living a version of their life that doesn’t reflect the truth. This is concerning as it may lead to depression and anxiety as people get a filtered version of reality, that people tend to compare themselves against. This may put a lot of pressure on people, especially younger audiences, and can lead to feelings of inadequacy, sadness, and even loneliness.
Overall, while it’s clear that we can’t turn back the clock and remember a time before social media, it is important to be aware of the effect it has on our lives and how to prevent its negative effects. There is a need to encourage users to be more mindful about their social media usage and be aware of what they’re consuming, so as not to let it cloud their judgement or cause negative impacts. We should also appreciate the positive aspects that it has brought to our daily lives, allowing us to connect with people, find opportunities, and grow.