22 August 2016

Lifestyle: Social Media, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.

With the ever growing presence of social media within every inch of our lives, sharing our day-to-day activities to the outside world, is something that is now very much, for the majority "a daily do".

I am all for expressing what we love, and when we are happy, or proud of something - well our natural instinct is to share this passion, and enthusiasm.  I could never fight that, and I love the positive aspects that social media bring to the modern day world. I adore the fact you can share special moments with family and friends, no matter where they are in the world.

I love that you can celebrate, support, and share each others joyous moments, with just a couple of taps on a screen.

social media
I particularly feel super proud that we now live in a world where we have a "free" platform so anyone, no matter who they are, can promote their, talents, business or hobby. With more small businesses and entrepreneurs now doing what they LOVE due to this free platform. It has opened so many doors, particularly for the working class people, who may have not been given a chance, or the opportunity.

On the contrary, I do sometimes (okay quite a lot), reminisce about simpler times. Social media platforms are creating a lot of problems in our world, and particularly contributing to a culture that is becoming uncomfortable socialising organically, and interacting face-to-face. It can be addictive when our self-worth is linked to how many likes, or comments we get.

Statistics display that there is a sharp increase of people suffering with a multitude of social anxiety disorders. You can completely understand why. If we text more than we speak, well of course it is going to have detrimental effects on our social skills. With pictures of celebrities, and now some people using filters willy nilly, societies expectations of how we should look, is enhancing this "forever young" stigma placed on us all. It is not surprising that we feel unworthy, anxious and scared to appear anything other than "perfect" in a world, that really is not.

Social media can be used in an ugly, competitive way, and can be steeped in vanity and jealously. We are all judged, criticised, and on a positive note,  praised for what we post. There is a fine line. The more vulnerable and younger people in our society are susceptible to feel overwhelmed and confused by this expectation, of the person they have to put forward to the world, resulting in feelings of worthlessness, anxiety and depression. 

We now live in a world were sometimes, when a relative, or close friend has some life changing news we find out via social media. As time has passed, and social media has grown, I just don't think this a good direction for humanity. Finding out about monumental events, along with


"June your Mum's, friends cousin, who you met once at a family party". 


Well it is a little insulting, but more importantly it removes the personal, natural, and human interaction that we crave of celebrating such a milestone, with the people we love.

But of course, each person has the right to post what the hell they want, and should they feel like they can't due to the fact of what "some people" may think about it?

It's a tough one. Sometimes I just crave my old Nokia, and a good old game of snake. 

With anything in life, there is the good side, the bad, and the ugly - but as Albert Einstein once said:

"I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots."


I feel, Alby ultimately nailed it all them years ago, human interaction must come first.

Tis all about balance.

What are your thoughts about the above topic? I really would love to hear them.
     
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6 comments

  1. I definitely think it's about balance. I love social media and I feel it's allowed me to meet new people, make new friends and has helped me with my career choice, but it has taken over my life. I try to step back from it every now and again. xx

    Jessie | allthingsbeautiful-x

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    1. Yes I think it is so important to have a lot of breaks from it, and just enjoy the simpler things. :o)

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  2. I think social media can be the devil and the angel, I like to take a step back each day and don't get consumed by it, I miss a lot on Instagram and Twitter by doing it but it hasn't had any great effect on me so far :) great post xx

    Zoe ♥ MammafulZo

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    1. I totally agree Zoe, tis all about balance isn't it? xxx :o)

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  3. I do love social media, as I've always been quite shy and find it difficult to express myself in person - however, I do agree that everyone needs a balance. It's good to get out of the house sometimes and talk to people.

    alicered.co.uk

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    1. Yes I so think it's about getting the balance right. I try and actively not check my phone more now, as I am more conscious of how much I was using it. xx

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