The Age of Digital: 5 Ways Social Media Disrupts Community Support

Although no one would argue that the rapid development of technology today is a productive and lucrative reality, many people would still agree that the disruptive digital space, specifically from a social standpoint, can be toxic for individual and community level connectivity. When we sign online, we are encouraged to act as individual entities, posting about our personal experiences, our photos, our opinions, and our articles in one of the most me-centric times in history.

But what if we could still keep the rapid development of new technological social tools without the damaging side effects? We’re first going to look at 5 ways in which the social space is experiencing significant problems:

1. Depression:

Multiple studies have linked social media and online connectivity to depression, anxiety, and even suicide today. Although many experts are weighing in on the matter, most people agree that the isolation and feeling of loneliness perpetuated by social media encourages us to recede even farther away from what used to be a community. It ends up becoming a depression echo chamber that continually increases in prevalence.

2. Global Economy:

When we scroll through social media newsfeeds, we are bombarded with countless ads from companies throughout the world. It’s no longer a local commerce experience; it’s a global one. The competition is therefore extremely stiff for people just starting out today. With no such thing as a local base of consumption anymore, it’s near impossible for many small-to-mid sized firms to lock onto local patrons.

3. Negativity:

When was the last time you read a Facebook fight, a 1-star Yelp review, or a negative blog post reviewing a product? It was probably sometime today. As isolated actors behind our keyboards, it’s easier than ever before to adopt a snarky attitude when you don’t have to face a person in real-life. With no sense of community, there is no genuine feeling to act nicely and positively to people we talk to on the Internet.

4. Accountability:

When we are part of a community, we have accountability. We are accountable for supporting the community, supporting the group, and contributing. Online, alone and lonely at home, we are lacking an accountability when it comes to consumption, interaction, and relationship making. We aren’t part of something greater anymore — and that’s a dangerous development for human beings.

5. Idea Exchanges:

Some of the best inventions in the world occurred between two or more people. It involved a conversation, a meeting in a coffee shop, or a slow partnership through heated conversation. These innovations and ideas are slipping through the cracks right now as everyone adopts a “me against the world mentality.” Social media ramps up that predisposition through an emphasis on a self-centered social presence.

Here at iLINK, we don’t believe that this new world of global technology is a bad thing. We just believe it’s being used in a degrading effect right now. That’s why we plan to leverage blockchain technology to engage community members in thoughtful discourse, local consumption, and community value exchanges like the times of the past. With one geosocial community building platform, we are ready to solve the problems of the “Age of Digital.” Will you join us?