If you’re anything like me, you probably spend a decent amount of time on social media. As much as it sucks to admit, it’s honestly really addicting. What could possibly be more entertaining than mindlessly scrolling through pictures and status updates to avoid your responsibilities? Not much if you ask me. I genuinely stand by the belief that social media should be just that: mindless. It’s supposed to be a fun, painless way to keep in touch with your friends and family. However, with an election just around the corner and the repetitive presence of controversial issues in the media, strongly opinionated people are having a literal field day. Facebook, Twitter, and the like are becoming plagued with annoying posts about every little thing people consider wrong with the world, and quite frankly, it’s dumb.
I first would like to start by acknowledging that I am completely aware of freedom of speech and its definition. Not only am I aware of this amazing right we have as Americans, I couldn’t possibly be more thankful for it. I’m a writer, and I am able to speak freely about whatever topic I choose to write about each week. I am so incredibly grateful to be an American, and to have the right to openly express myself. I am in no way trying to discourage anyone from speaking his or her mind, I’m simply suggesting where not to do so.
I long deeply for the days when my notifications were filled with candy crush requests and group posts. Back in these good old days, Facebook's newsfeed was primarily dog videos, funny quotes, and photos of friends. Nowadays, it’s filled with people pretending to be political experts and social analysts. It’s impossible to scroll through any type of social media feed without seeing at least five posts about the election, feminism, gay/transgender rights, abortion, etc. Not only do these people endlessly and narrow-mindedly rant on any given topic, most of them will be insistent upon the fact that anyone that has an opinion different from theirs, is wrong. I often witness people attack others’ characters while trying (but failing miserably) to express a differentiating opinion, which is so very ignorant and disrespectful that it makes me sick to my stomach. Between these “status rants” and the vicious comments people post in response to them, I honestly can’t decide which is worse.
Everyone is entitled to their unique opinion and should be able to express them freely, but social media is simply just not the place to do so. There are infinite places that provide us with a platform on which we can express ourselves: discussion forums, blogs, books, podcasts, conventions, or even face-to-face discussions with our friends and family. We need to use these platforms exclusively for their intended purposes rather than changing the purpose of preexisting networks such as Facebook. The term is social media, not political media…that was called CNN the last time I checked.