Editors Thought: Does Social Media affect the life we should be leaving under the sun?
There is no doubt social media has totally changed our lifestyle both for good and bad. The average human check and go through their phone for at list 5 minute or more in the morning just to catch up with what’s happening around them before starting the day. We relies on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, twitter and many other social networks for information. These activities may seem harmless, how harmless can it be?
What is social media?
In essence, social media defines an array of Internet sites that enable people from all over the world to interact. This can be through discussion, photos, video, audio and blogs. And this makes both positive and negetive news to travel very fast.
7 most powerful social media sites today are;
- Facebook (This is still number 1, because even though younger people are moving onto the latest social site, older people and the developing world are still catching up with Facebook, thus keeping it current)
- Youtube
- Snapchat
A study indicates that 1 in 4 people now use social media worldwide and this is increasingly everyday. Most people leave their life through social media, while the amount of time most people spent on it in a day is unbelivable. Many people on social media sites often present idealised versions of their lives, leading others to make upward social comparisons, which can lead to negative emotions. Parents are worried about their children especially teenagers use of social media.
With its positive side, we have social media celebrities. Most business are being promoted through social media while most talents are currently discovered. Thanks to social media, one can easily track and follow celebrities lifestyle or compare friends lifestyle.
Social media addiction
Majority of us are social media addicts without even knowing it. Most people will be lost if a day goes by without social media. Most people keep tract of what’s going on around the world and around them and thus leave a certain lifestyle showcased through this platform.
Generally, we all have our personal reasons for using social media. Some of us like to browse at other people’s status updates and photos, while others use the sites as a way to vent their emotions, business, talent, education, advice, companion, information and the list goes on.
Researchers found that people who are more anxious and socially insecure are more likely to use the social networking site. Is this true? it appears that many users who are addicted use these sites as a way of gaining attention and boosting their self-esteem.
Negative impacts of social media
Social media can change the way we talk, thus some slangs and words have been born and is being used in our conversations today, thanks to social media. People easily interact or strike a conversation with you on social media and can’t find how in real life. Most people seem to waste useful times on the internet. Time when lost, can never be regained.
Most celebrity couples relationship didn’t see the light or flourish because of too much exposure on social media, while a celebrity life leaved on social media is easily judged.
Another concern regarding social media use is cyber bullying which can lead to self-doubt , depression, anger, hatred, withdrawal, low self esteem to name a few. Most times when a tragic event is happening, people are more concern about filming and having it on their social media for likes and comments.
Overall people will either hoax, strip naked or do despicable things just to get likes and followers on social media, while on the positive side, the peoples voice can be easily heard when they agree or don’t agree with some issues. A good example is the Edris Elba/ New James Bond trending hashtag. Also, the moment Kanye West announced he will running for president in 2020, he obviously got people talking and voicing thier openion.
To conclude my point, i believes it is not purely the use of social media that is getting out of control, but our need to be electronically connected and keep up to date with the lifestyle which is changing by the year. That leaves me with the question, Is traditional lifestyle on the extinct?
This is my opinion of course, i will love to hear what you think or make of social media.
Written by: Noellin Imoh-Griffiths
