Social media is an amazing thing. We are the generation that can connect to anyone instantaneously. So, why do so many feel alone?

Social media is, without a doubt, part of every modern person’s life. But especially in my generation, it is morphing into a job portfolio or a folder of greatest hits as opposed to a way to connect with people and information. Because of this, social media harms compassion.

Everyone looks perfect on social media. Because of this era of facetuning and perfectly witty captions, we compare our worst days to others’ fake perceptions of their best days. By hiding behind beautiful filters, we have become the generation of “I’m not good enough.” This makes everyone, from the popular homecoming queen to the guy in the back of the class, feel alone. I think in this age, the fear of missing out and the fear of being forgotten plagues all teenagers.

And the more alone we feel, the more often we turn to social media, hiding behind our highlight reels. While it at times can allow you to check in with others and take a break from a busy day, in excess, social media puts blinders on our relationships and the unrealistic views many teenagers put on their social lives and/or their bodies. Social media is no longer a way to connect and make friends if it is entirely dishonest about how we are actually doing.

We as a generation need to go back to what our phones were made for and text (or maybe even, GASP, call) each other. To reach out behind the curtain and check in on each other. To remind each other that we are “good enough.”

So, what happens when you delete social media? Obviously, it doesn’t fix everything. Deleting an app is not a one-stop to happiness and health and the success of America, as some local news shows will tell you. However, it certainly helped me to reground myself.

I deleted Snapchat for a few years in high school. And while it easily wasn’t the “cool” choice, disconnecting was the important thing for me to do. I found myself, as many teenagers do, watching others’ social postings and growing increasingly angry and alone whenever I was not included. This carried into my real, everyday life, where I would be angry at all of my friends around me.

But after a week of deleting Snapchat, I felt better mentally. While all I lost was a few Snapchat streaks, I gained motivation to reach out and ask people to hang out in day-to-day life. I found myself initiating social situations instead of sitting back and hoping that someone would reach out to me. I distanced myself from people who didn’t reciprocate friendship. By deleting Snapchat, it helped me look at myself less in a selfie camera, which helped to minimize the over-analysis of my flaws that came from years of insecurities. I reminded myself to put social media back in its right place in my list of priorities: not a priority at all.

And while I didn’t need to delete Snapchat, I wanted to know I could go without it. Not only could I go without something that began to waste my time, I learned to not want it. There were fewer opportunities to be petty when I truly didn’t know when my friends were leaving me out. There were more opportunities to reach out organically and to forgive easily. I think in this age, the fear of missing out can be horrible. But the fear of being forgotten plagues all teenagers, and it was only from stepping back and having real conversations with people that you can do that. Losing day in, day out contact through an app allowed me to build up real relationships.

As a generation, we need to periodically check in on our social media habits. Are they harmful or helpful? Do they add calm and humor or stress into our daily lives?

If not, drop what gives you discomfort, and delete your social media if necessary.