There is no doubt that within the last 10 years social media has completely flourished in this world. People, mostly teens, allow social media to completely consume their lives every single day. If you didn't put it on Snapchat, did it really even happen? The answer is probably No.
Everything that people do nowadays they feel the need to let their entire list of "followers" know. People are constantly checking in to every place they go, tweeting about their life problems, and Instagramming pictures of what they're doing (obviously I am guilty of all of these social media norms, too). But why do we as a society feel a need to do this? Is it to let people know how interesting, or boring our lives are? Or is it so, in case something happens, people can easily find out where you were last? Or is it just because society is telling us too?
I wish I had the answer to one or all of these questions, but sadly, I do not. I am also not sure if anybody does. Social media has been something that is drastically taking over. It is not only used for peoples' pleasure, but it allows anybody to know anything about you. This is interesting because you have the choice to let the world know as much, or as little about you, through your social media accounts.
Individuals nowadays have no idea what it's like to go through the struggle of not having social media. It is a source that creates so much, indirect, human interaction. Although social media makes the social aspect of relationships so easy, could it also be killing humans?
Maybe not literally killing people, but social media is diminishing the amount of human interaction in the world. Personally, I know way more things about people, before I am even face to face with them. I am definitely a "creeper" on social media (sorry, not sorry), but it helps to find out the truth behind some people. In today's world, people are not always what they appear, and that is easily seen through their social media accounts.
Social media is crazy because as an account holder, you can never be too sure of who has seen your profile, or even who knows what information about you. It calls for a world with little privacy, depending on your settings.
Big businesses are even using social media in order to target their consumers. It has become one of the biggest marketing pools in the world. Even if you're just trying to escape the world and scroll down your timeline, you are not safe. Advertisements are being thrown into your timelines, tempting you with product after product.
It is such an unnecessary aspect in society today, but it is something that people will no longer go without. It is so convenient, and even at times entertaining, that there is no telling it will ever be extinct. It is no longer something that only teens are consumed with. More and more adults each day are becoming more social media savvy. At this point in society, there is no escaping the social media world.
I would like to test you, though -- try and go a day, or even a week, without social media. Witness your withdrawal symptoms come into play. Also, realize how much you miss things happening in the social media world, but most importantly realize the things going on around you that you would miss if your eyes were glued to an app on your phone. The world is a beautiful place, and social media is just one small characteristic of being a part of it.
