In a world consumed by technology, it's quickly finding its way into relationships. Changing how we see the world, changing how relationships form and evolve. It's bridging a gap between in person communication. Behind the screen is the new reality.
Please ask yourself what is the last thing you did? And for that matter, how are you viewing this article right now? Through a screen. The last thing I did was look at my phone. When is the last time you held a conversation in an elevator? Our cell phone's are our new hideaway. Looking at your phone scrolling through social media is the best way to ignore your current surroundings. I can't even imagine what it's like to be without social media now a days. I have met countless people online who I now spend time with, but I wonder what my life would be like without all the social media surrounding us. I wonder who I would've met instead on that elevator ride, as opposed to mindlessly staring at my screen in the hopes of leaving as quickly as possible. Cell phones are great for avoiding awkward situations, but what if we chose to embrace them instead? Imagine the stories we would have to tell our families at the end of the day. Instead of once again, staring at our screens at the dinner table, talking about Facebook.
I cannot count myself out, I am definitely guilty of scrolling through Facebook during family gatherings and in social settings, but that is simply because it has now become a habit. It's not even that i'm trying to avoid an awkward situation, it's solely because I have formed these indirect habits without even knowing.
Think about your social circle and how many people you interact with in a day through a screen and in person. Lets say you have 1000 friends on Facebook, 400 followers on Twitter, and 600 followers on Instagram. You potentially interact with over 2000 people a day through a screen. And oh, you talked to 10 people in person today. it's insane to think about how we text more words than we actually speak out loud. We scroll and know so much information about people we have never once and maybe never will speak to personally.
Because of social media we now experience harsh "FOMO"; translating to "Fear of Missing Out". We create these expectations in our mind of what our vacations should look like because of other people's. We now have to go to this certain beach because it's been so hyped up on social media platforms. Instead of planning our vacations with our loved ones, we are searching on social media. We are sitting next to each other staring at our screens instead of talking to one another. If we are talking to each other, we're talking about what we just saw on social media.
Society is surrounded by the media. So many people are consumed by their cell phones and I am guilty as well. It's part of our daily routines now and it's not going away. I just sit back and wonder how different my day would be if I didn't have my phone with me. Technology is evolving so quickly and we're so invested, losing grip on true personal and interactive relationships.
Being a fan of in person communication, but juggling social media is a new struggle that we must learn to overcome. Because what is most important is personal relationships. We must hold onto our value on them to maintain a genuine fulfilling life.
Put that down and look me in the eyes.
