JUST HOLD ON A MINUTE!!! A Note to my Younger Self
IF YOUR READING THIS, WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T SIGN UP FOR TWITTER!!!
Dear Adam of past,
Did you just fall for my Clickbait? I’m sorry for doing that, but clickbait doesn’t exist for at least 5 years from now (essentially, I just invented it hahah). I just need you to read this letter from the future first, then you can finish loging in.
Basically, life as you know it, is going to dramatically change. Some things will change for the better and life will be consumed by technology. How you interact with people based on social interactions are going change. The way you “hang with your friends”, do your homework, call your relatives and do your research, will be changed forever due to social media. You may like this change or hate it. I will give you some insight of what the future will bring.
Let me give you a little time line into the future. Apple… that computer collecting dust in your basement, with an apple symbol on it will become your life. Your PC computer that you loved and admired will become “garbage”. Your life will be consumed by this company, bombarded with releases of bigger and better technology items. Apple is going to release at least 10 phones in the next 10 years. I suggest you buy all of them, because the features are mind blowing. Imagine being able to talk with people face to face on your phone with an actual clear picture (real time). You will have these things called “apps” they are applications that lead to what will become your source of entertainment. Your favourite game, Brick breaker, will be replaced by Candy Crush (it’s addictive). You can shop, listen to music, play games and basically never leave your home. You have all entertainment needs covered right on a handheld screen, it can keep you busy for days. I know, its sounds crazy, but this will become the reality of life for everyone (well almost). Take your precious Blackberry, and toss it because Blackberry has gone down hill.
Now that Apple has taken over the world, this opens the path for what is called social media. Facebook that platform that you are debating signing up for, it’s great, this will become one of the many social media networks where you will get all your gossip, reconnecting with old friends, and basically get to be a voyeur of people’s lives. Eventually, Facebook is going to buy this company called “Instagram” it embraces photography on social media, it’s cool but eventually they add a commenting ability to it and thats where the negative comes in. People now can judge more than ever before. The world (through social media) will become very judgmental. My warning to you: if you’re not perfect, you can’t judge anyone (and trust me, your note perfect). There are a lot of “judgers” out there. People will even judge the actual social media platforms; the way it looks, performs, additions etc, becoming upset from any little change (change makes people uncomfortable. Get ready for a day of posts about it, you will get used to it eventually.
Your name… Adam is going to be replaced, you will now be known by what is called a “username” on social media” think carefully of who you want to be. Let me start off by saying that all those usernames you made up at some point are not going to cut it (in the future). At some point you are going to be ashamed to say what your username is because you want to promote your-self brand. Social media was intended for entertainment, but now has become life, seriously! Your future is dependent on who you are on social media; school, jobs, friends etc.… make judgement of you online, sometimes without meeting you in person, you better be good at representing yourself online, because sometimes it’s just one glance and your either IN or OUT!
If you think bullies are bad now at school… get ready for online cyber bullying. There are people out there that strive on making you feel like a bag of dirt and shut you down. Don’t let them win, but also don’t become part of the negative. Remember you are who you represent. If your trying to be fake on social media (which will be something you want to do) don’t do it, it’s not who you are. People will be able to find out almost anything about you online, make sure to be wise when posting on these social media platforms. I know it’s going to feel great when you get your first follower, or if a celebrity retweets you or favorites your tweet, but sometimes expressing your opinion or just talking to someone through a public social network is just not worth it for your well-being. Your reputation can literally be bought, you can buy friends, (how sad is that). People are not always who they seem. You can be whoever you want to be on social media, have a make-believe life… please don’t forget who you are.
My suggestion for your social media experience: sign up, give it a try but don’t post everything happening in your life. Keep some things private, keep your inner thoughts, just that! Remember we are humans and social media isn’t your brain, what you type is what people will see, it’s there forever. Like your parents always tell you: think before you talk, so…think before you type, it will get you further.
Oh, have a look below… don’t tweet this, you’re not that cool.
So…good luck and stay safe, but have fun! Thats what social media is all about!!
