Preface
Social media is a very convoluted thing. It can be deceiving, eye-opening, and so many different things rolled up into one application. During the time of COVID-19, it has been a source of connection amongst people and a way for businesses to continue when we cannot be in person to do so. It is difficult, however, to distinguish social media from real life and gain something from this ever-changing digital world. Disconnecting from social media can be difficult because the more you become enraptured by the false narrative perpetuated by the online world, the more your perspective begins to blur. Social media is a highly elaborate society and on June 30, otherwise known as Social Media Day, let’s reflect on the implications that social media has on our lives.
Positive Effects of Social Media
Social Media has allowed a lot of people to make social changes.
It has advanced social issues by spreading awareness, raising funds, and developing coalitions to forward the cause.
Allowed people to form their own opinions by giving them information and giving them the opportunity to form their own conclusions
Become an outlet for creativity! Organizations like The Front Page Initiative are able to open up the floor to students from all over the world so that they may learn together and continue to better themselves.
Especially during COVID-19, social media has been a source of connection and communication amongst friends and families.
Provided a platform for businesses to continue to run, even when in-person sales is not possible. E-commerce has heavily boosted the economy.
Increases networking opportunities for people of your desired career paths and people aspiring to similar futures.
Negative Effects of Social Media
Social media is a very immersive thing - it has the ability to manipulate you and drag you into believing perpetuated stereotypes and stigmas.
Social media dives can increase the risk of eating disorders from the perpetuation of unrealistic body types
While social media can help you form your own opinions, it can also make you biased and swayed, depending on your source.
There’s a strong link between social media and depression, self-harm, anxiety, and more.
Social media creates a negative competitive space that constantly puts people up against each other and creates a negative mindset for youth, always making them feel like they have to be better than their peers.
Social media enhances the effects of cancel culture and increases the chances for cyberbullying.
Ways to disconnect from Social Media
Find other ways to cope: if you use social media to immerse yourself in another “world” so that you can “avoid” or “deter” from everyday responsibilities, try finding new wellness tactics like (reasonable amounts of) physical exercise, play an instrument to destress, drawing, dream board making, and more!
Acknowledge your excessive usage of social media - it can be difficult to untangle yourself because the webs of social media make you believe that you are still in control.
When COVID-19 restrictions ease and you are allowed to see people from a safe distance without risk of transmission or infection: Talk to your friends and family! Instead of connecting and communicating virtually, seize the opportunity to talk to people in person!
Let your phone die, leave your phone in another room, or leave your phone in your bag - allow yourself a mandatory break from technology!
Published June 30, 2021
Written by Fiona Xu ~ Graphics created by Abinaya Balaji
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