It's a bit ironic, isn't it? Here I am, writing an article on a social media platform while I criticize social media. This notion proves my point exactly.
Social media is an incredible resource. With the help of social media, I have gained so many new perspectives about politics, human rights issues, and global events. Social media provides knowledge, and knowledge is power. Think about it -- without social media, you wouldn't be reading these words right now. Merriam Webster defines social media as "forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content." Social media also allows groups of people with similar interests and passions to unite as a community and share ideas.
While social media offers all these fantastic opportunities, it is blocking us from reaching our true potential in life. You've heard it before: we are the millennial generation. Our generation has taken social media too far.
As 'millennials', we tend to focus so much on our social media presence that we forget to actually be present in our every day lives. We have been disciplined to assume that a 'like' equals value. We place too much value in how others perceive us online. In order to achieve a certain amount of 'likes' to feel worthy, we are trained to pose, smile, and dress a certain way. If God forbid we don't get as many likes on a picture, we might as well exile ourselves to shame island with all of the other hideous trolls. I find myself asking the same question: Am I doing this because it will make me happy, or am I doing this because it will look cool on social media?
We are living our lives for other people instead of for ourselves. We don't do things to make us happy anymore. We are so unbelievably fortunate to be the first generation to grow up with new technology and access to this whole other realm online. We must lead by example for the generations to come to prove that we will not allow social media to consume our lives. Instead, we will use it to our advantage to spread ideas and educate ourselves on various topics -- not to feed our egos.
You don't have to swear off of all social media platforms and live the rest of your lives in a cave avoiding all online exposure. You do, however, owe it to yourself to enjoy the present. Take a picture if you'd like to savor the memory, but put down the phone and take advantage of the moment. This is your life, so live it for you.
