When used properly, social media can actually make the world a better place and bring people closer together. Sharing events, posting videos to inform friends about meaningful issues and congratulating those that you cannot see in person help drive millennial society. Facebook can bring back memories, provide a quick medium for showing interesting finds to friends and allows people to communicate from almost anywhere in the world through messenger. It's also a great photo backup. What wonderful ways to use technology! What do these actions have in common? They are quick and require only a short amount of screen time. A healthy social media presence is an intentional complement to life, not life itself. Here is why I'm removing myself from social media (though I'll still use it for the above reasons):
1. Its endless supply of information, most of which is worthless.
Sales ads, what people had for breakfast, relationship drama, 25,000 recipes that will probably never be tried (some of these are good though), political opinions, and so much more fill the screen and I do not really gain anything from knowing most of this information. News Feed is helpful for keeping up to date on those you cannot see frequently, but so much time is spent sifting through useless information.
2. There's too much negativity.
With so much killing and hate in the news, why would I want to relive it on social media?
3. How does it really benefit my life?
4. Broadcasting on social media is an unrealistic view of people's lives.
Your online presence is how you want others to view your life, and this is often enhanced by edits and elaboration. I'm tired of seeing glorified masks of people. If I want to know you, I want to know the real you, not the image you portray online.
5. What we see online can affect our self-image.
An online profile can never be the entirety of a person and it's what they want you to see. My friends see posts online and feel that they're a lesser student, traveler, sister, etc. because one person posts something that appears wonderful. The real tragedy lies in people judging themselves based a projected image of another person.
6. I prefer to truly connect with a few individuals instead of peripherally with hundreds.
7. Why do I have to post online when I could send 99% of my posts to a few relevant friends?
A post every now and then about news or something applicable to everyone makes sense, but it's more personal to send material to specific friends.
8. I miss out on that around me when my eyes are glued to a screen.
9. Living life is so much more fun!
I'm weary of checking my phone for a little red number. The online world is meant to be a small part of life, not to detract from reality.
10. External validation is fleeting and a poor source of self-worth.
Worth based on likes, reactions, and shares is not true worth. You are no more (or less) cool, pretty, smart, or lovable because people like (or do not like) a picture or post.
