My Perspectives on Social Media
My ongoing battle with it
“I can’t believe he doesn’t have any social media”, my friend exclaimed with annoyance. “It’s just really sketchy, you know?” What do you think? She was griping about the new guy she had started dating.
Although she didn’t explicitly confess it, she appeared to be certain that his absence from Facebook indicated he was concealing a girlfriend, or maybe even a wife and children. However, he had already informed her that he disliked social media because it was both distracting and insincere. This viewpoint was completely rational.
I asked her if she liked him, to which she responded affirmatively with excitement, praising his pleasant demeanor and good looks. I encouraged her to let go of unnecessary worries and avoid creating problems where there were none. Although there are instances of men keeping secrets on social media, her anxious stance struck me as a product of chronic internet usage or what is often referred to as being extremely online. It occurs when individuals perceive internet culture and the stories they encounter online as highly influential for everyone.
The prevalence of extreme internet usage is strikingly evident in waiting rooms across America. A quick glance around reveals that nearly everyone in the room is fixated on their smartphones — a clear symptom of being extremely online. This phenomenon reached its peak during the explosive popularity of Pok mon Go eight years ago. At that time, hordes of Pok mon enthusiasts transformed into mindless zombies as they roamed our local parks and occasionally ventured into perilous situations like traffic accidents with devastating consequences. The addictive nature of the game compelled players to constantly stare at their screens while navigating real-world paths in search of virtual creatures. Consequently, one could witness countless individuals with vacant expressions mechanically walking along winding and erratic routes through parks, streets, and sidewalks — completely absorbed in their digital quest.
Additionally, another consequence of this hyperconnected culture is the amplification of fanaticism and the subsequent proliferation of disinformation. Online discourse tends to be driven by fervent individuals who often over represent their views, leading to distorted perceptions and an ease in spreading false information. This alarming reality becomes particularly evident when even esteemed newspapers like the New York Times fall victim to social media manipulation, as was the case when they erroneously reported a hospital being bombed by Israel. The ensuing chaos that engulfed the world for twelve hours serves as a stark reminder of how easily misinformation can spread and wreak havoc in the age of social media.
Despite my complete lack of interest in either actor or their movies, my social media feed has been bombarded with discussions surrounding the Depp v Heard trial. Countless individuals on my feed depict Amber Heard as a malevolent figure, almost as if she had committed some unforgivable crime. It’s truly astonishing how these people fail to grasp the fact that they are completely disconnected from these celebrities and that these celebrities will never even be aware of their existence. I’ve witnessed otherwise rational individuals becoming convinced that Nazis control Ukraine, despite the president being Jewish. This spread of misinformation occurs through repeated exposure and causes an individual deeply immersed in online culture to lose touch with reality. If you find yourself believing things that contradict what the rest of the world knows without any solid evidence, it’s possible that you’ve become overly engrossed in online platforms. Maybe it’s time for a much-needed break if you find yourself excessively focused on a celebrity defamation trial.
My ongoing battle with it
My livelihood thrives on the digital realm, as I spend endless hours secluded in a solitary space, engrossed in online articles and meticulously crafting words. I am an active participant in the internet revolution, observing the passion of enthusiastic users through their comments. Yet, I am not immune to this behavior myself. When my smartphone malfunctions, my insatiable need for constant connection flares up like a wildfire. A wave of panic washes over me, as if I must defuse a ticking time bomb, even though my communication primarily relies on Facebook messenger and email.
The detrimental effects of excessive screen time cannot be ignored: decreased social and emotional intelligence, attention problems, and decreased energy levels are all interconnected. Furthermore, once one becomes dependent on the allure of smartphones, breaking free from its grip becomes an arduous task. Reflecting on my own experience, I had clung onto a blackberry until late 2013 when smartphones had already advanced several generations ahead. Transitioning to a Galaxy S4 resulted in an insidious increase in my screen time that went unnoticed until later on.
Do you spend a lot of time on the internet?
Can you sit for 15–20 minutes without looking at a screen? This will reveal the extent of the problem. Surprisingly, many people struggle with this. In fact, one out of four individuals have unsubscribed and then subscribed again to the same streaming service within the past year. The excessive time spent on social media is truly astonishing. One potential solution is to undergo a digital detox, gradually reducing your usage of social media, smartphones, and screens. There are various apps available that can help you track your daily screen time. I suggest logging your usage and attempting to cut it in half or even going a day or week without using non-work related screens.
Exercise caution regarding the temptation to immerse yourself in the digital world while facing unemployment. The fleeting satisfaction derived from dopamine surges may serve as temporary respite against the desolation experienced during this period. Instead, prioritize activities that propel you away from joblessness rather than fixating on garnering Facebook likes. Engaging in the process of submitting five applications not only provides a healthier means of dopamine release but also instills a sense of progress and advancement.
What led us to this point?
During my formative years in the early 90s, I was shaped by an internet that was still in its infancy stage — a time before corporations saturated every corner of cyberspace with their SEO-optimized content and individuals sought ways to monetize every aspect of the web through keyboard-driven endeavors.
In those days, content simply existed without undergoing mind-altering transformations into gamified experiences designed solely to captivate our attention indefinitely. However, today’s screen-dominated landscape has become more addictive than ever; even movies and shows have adopted a rapid-fire pace, bombarding us with incessant camera angle changes. The internet itself is not inherently destructive, but we must exercise caution in the face of companies, malicious actors, and advertisers who seek to exploit our attention and manipulate the truth.
If you find yourself constantly immersed in online activities, make the most of it by utilizing technology to learn and cultivate connections with friends. For instance, my partner organizes a monthly Zoom call known as wine night with her friends, during which they listen to an album together and engage in conversations about it before catching up on life. This exemplifies the true potential of technology. It is also important to be mindful of that persistent urge prompting you to check your phone; if it arises frequently without any valid reason, it serves as a clear indication of excessive dependence. I recall my grandmother spending countless hours each night engrossed in reading, finding immense joy in devouring books borrowed from the library.
Let us acknowledge that what we come across on our social media feeds may not accurately represent the beliefs and attitudes of individuals in their day-to-day existence. They exist in a realm where natural elements like sunlight and wind prevail, and societal customs encompass more than just obscure online memes or jargon. Embrace the challenge of digitally detaching yourself — limit your time spent on screens and utilize it with greater purposefulness.
