Social media is amazing. That ability to connect with people easily and consume amazing amounts of content is pretty normal nowadays. There are many wonderful things about social media that can’t be denied-
- Staying in touch with family and friends
- Sharing information
- Communicating beliefs and opinions
- Easy access to unlimited information
Each of these aspects of social media enriches our lives and makes it better when put into the context of a well-rounded life. When social media is a tool used in conjunction with other tools, it is a positive and appropriate way to be social and connected but, social media could make it harder to be social if we’re not careful.
The very same things that make social media amazing can potentially make it hazardous. The attention we pay to social media can take our attention away from other important things. Spending hours looking at a screen trying to “connect” isn’t true connection. It’s important to be present and engage in social activities that aren’t electronic.
People tend to spend an astonishing amount of time on social media. They are glued to a smart phone or desktop looking at life through a social media platform. Though it is possible to engage others and be social, it is somewhat of an artificial form of socialization. Here’s why-
Social media is void of natural engagement – Sliding into someone’s DM’s or commenting on a social media post is an artificial form of communication. When you message someone or leave a comment, you’re likely leaving a highly curated thought that you’ve edited. That means you may be more or less genuine than you would be if you were in a face to face conversation. Over time, people can stunt their interpersonal social skills and become socially awkward when it comes to holding a conversation in person.
Social media is a highlight reel – Posts tend to be highly edited and pictures tend to be the best version of ourselves possible. This projects a sense of perfection that isn’t always accurate. It can create a sense of imposter syndrome on the part of the person posting and a sense of inadequacy on the part of the person viewing the material. Both cases end up with people masquerading who they truly are and intensifying their sense of insecurity.
Social media takes our attention off the present – Quite literally, social media can take our attention off the here and now. Looking at a screen while in the presence of friends and family can distract us from being social with the people in the room. Also, looking at a screen while doing activities like commuting, waiting in line, dining out, or other tasks can rule out meeting someone organically in the community.
Much of being social has to do with being out in society. Learning to engage other people, connect with people, and build relationships happens face to face and in real life. Social media has the potential to steal our attention and reduce the amount of human contact we have. It’s important to use social media as one of many tools to stay connected and make friends but it’s vital to make certain you are in control of your social media usage rather than it being in control of you.
