The digital age continues to move at rapid pace. With that momentum both positive and negative aspects arise from the conundrum.
Globally, there are 4.9 billion social media users. For most of those users, their brains receive hormonal dopamine reward triggers; for every like, retweet, repost, or any type of engagement with other users. Social media has become mentally and emotionally satisfying. It’s not real life. It is just a digital experience.
What did people do before the advent of social media?
Write letters, pick up the phone, send postcards, and/or mind their business.
Unfortunately, I’ve had to restrict my own personal accounts and be more mindful of what I choose to post; especially as it pertains to my offspring. My children are minors and unable to make certain decisions on their own. I receive friend requests from random fake facebook accounts. The majority of these requests are from people who are already in my friends list. But wait I thought my friends list was private. How are people getting access to these people’s photos, location, et cetera? It’s ridiculous.
Your account belongs to you and you owe no one an explanation of the decisions you choose to make. Real relationships are built in person, not on an app. People have become enthralled in a digital world that lacks a inhale and exhale, a warm embrace, nor a smile. It’s pathetic.
Teenagers and adults have fallen into depression trying to keep up with the Jones’. Young people are coveting a lifestyle that seems too good to be true. There are several young Youtube influencers who throw larger than life birthday parties and events online. Their million-dollar net worth can afford them to live such lavish lifestyles. Spouses compare their marriages to other successful “online” marriages. Offline those influencers marriages are going through the same issues or worse.
Overuse of social media poses a significant risk, especially among girls. A 10-year study at BYU discovered that teenage girls at age 13 who spent two to three hours daily on social media were at a higher risk for suicide as young adults. Researchers concluded that girls and women are more sensitive to their posts not being well-received, comparisons to others, and lack of online connections, while boys tend more often to post and read funny content.
Social media victims law center
Not only are social media accounts being hijacked but social media is indirectly sucking the life and essence out of human beings. People’s identities are based on the opinions of others, how often others interact with them, and how many followers they have.
Unplug for a while. You will thank me.
