so·cial me·di·a (noun). Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.
Social media is neither a saint or a devil. It does not speak for itself. It does not beg of negativity or give a teenage girl a bad name. Social media is not always an accurate representation of human beings as they are in their raw form. It is simply sharing content and information over the internet. If you haven't heard the story of Essena O'Neill yet, you most certainly will. O'Neill is a 19 year-old YouTuber and Instagram model who is known for her tanned skin, Australian accent, and vegan lifestyle.
While O'Neill has spent the last few years making thousands from her photos on Instagram, she has recently taken a stand to confess that she has been simultaneously hating herself. She deleted 2,000 photos from her Instagram and changed the account name to "Social Media Is Not Real Life." Many of the remaining photos have been re-captioned with the raw truth behind her feelings while taking each photo. The essence of O'Neill's captions reveal that she sought after pleasing people behind a computer screen to fill the emptiness she felt.
“Without realising, I’ve spent the majority of my teenage life being addicted to social media, social approval, social status and my physical appearance,” O’Neill wrote in an October 27th Instagram post. “Social media, especially how I used it, isn’t real. It’s a system based on social approval, likes, validation in views, success in followers. It’s perfectly orchestrated, self-absorbed judgement.”
CEO Zack James of Rise9, which is company dedicated to helping people gain a following, argues that O'Neill blames social media for problems she created herself. "Essena O’Neill is wrong. Social Media isn't a lie. Social Media can be whatever the user desires it to be. Allowing yourself to become pressured into a false life that you're uncomfortable with is the result of your own actions and intent. The inability to define yourself, your life, your own sense of confidence comes from a lack of trying to understand yourself," says Zack James.
No matter who you side with in this argument, social media is what you make of it. If abused, it can damage more than just your online reputation, but your entire identity and how you feel about yourself as an individual. Self-worth is not a direct result of a number on a screen below a picture that you spent hours perfecting. Here are a few things that are just a little more important than that.
1. Laughter.
Laughter is the universal form of communication. Babies were born with the ability to laugh so it is a life enriching act that doesn't need to be learned. It's important to laugh hard and laugh often because it might just add a few minutes onto your life.
2. Time with loved ones.
Every moment spent with someone you love is precious. Social media trends will come and go but great memories will last a lifetime.
3. Quality friendships.
Quality over quantity always applies as far as friendships are concerned. Draw close to those that build you up and make you feel loved. It is so important to acknowledge the people who've always been there for you in a time of darkness.
4. Compassion.
We are also called to help others in their time of suffering and need. Compassion gives action to empathy and more importantly, it allows us to connect and understand humankind.
5. Knowledge.
Knowledge is gained from every experience that we have in life. It's important to look at every experience as an opportunity to learn and seek hope for the future.
6. Gratitude.
We often allow social media to remind us of everything that we don't have, when instead we should be counting our blessings. It's important to show appreciation for everything you have and give thanks with kindness in return.
7. Personal growth.
It's incredibly important to constantly seek to learn about yourself. Personal growth gives us the ability to be the best that we can be and aim for higher goals.
8. Seeking your passions.
Explore what you love and make time for things that bring you joy. Social media often distracts us from doing what once made us happy. Don't let it rob you of your passion.
9. Physical and mental health.
We all know how important it is to maintain proper physical health. Nourishing our bodies is what keeps us alive and well. Even more importantly, seek help from loved ones if feeling sad. Don't hesitate to seek professional help if genuinely unhappy for an extended period of time.
10. Knowing your self-worth.
We are not the image that we portray of ourselves on social media. We are so much more than the aesthetics on our Instagram pages. God made us in His image and we are beautifully and wonderfully made.
To join in the conversation, visit O'Neill's new website, http://www.letsbegamechangers.com "Let's Be Game Changers."
Social media is one of the greatest technologies ever created, but it is not your source of happiness.
