The most powerful drug of our generation seems to be more addictive than any other substance society has ever seen before. Adolescents are intoxicated off it wherever they go. Whether it be a quick fix before class, during, or after, everyone is hooked. It has become so popular, adults and elders of other generations rely on it for everyday uses. Addicts are everywhere, but a cure seems impossible since relapse is inevitable. This drug is universal and cannot be shut down, or unplugged. This dangerous drug, otherwise known as social media, is the source of many people's addiction and dependence.
If you were to walk into the nearest restaurant or classroom, you would see a majority of people scrolling, typing, or snapping quick ugly selfies under the table. Social media apps like Snapchat or Instagram consume so many people’s lives. It seems like adolescents cannot sit still in a classroom without quickly clicking their home button to see if they have any new notifications. Don’t get me wrong, I am definitely guilty of this as well. I can’t even drive without having the urge to send back a Snapchat selfie even though I would probably arrive at my destination within five minutes. I am already a reckless driver as is (yes, I do uphold the Asian stereotype), yet I can’t seem to stop myself from sending a snapchat.
According to an experiment headed by Wilhelm Hofmann of Chicago University's Booth Business School, tweeting or checking e-mails may be harder to resist than cigarettes and alcohol. We are all aware that social media consumes our lives, but it is alarming just how addicted our generation is. Like I said, I am guilty of being an avid social media user too, but sometimes I see my peers taking it to an extreme. It baffles me that some people can’t seem to hold a five minute conversation without being able to not scroll, type, or snap during it. Yes, when I am alone or at my break during work I will check Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat. But when I am around friends, I try my best to direct my attention towards them and enjoy their company. I think the most astounding thing I have witnessed is when someone was opening up about their feelings and the hardships they recently went through, yet others around them were half listening, while scrolling on Facebook and tagging their friends in memes. I don’t understand it. Why do we do this? Has our generation lost our attention span, or even worse, our empathy?
Social media can be great, and I am not preaching for you to cut it out of your life completely. I am simply trying to remind you that it may be hurting your relationships, productivity, and overall life more than you think. While there are many benefits to social media, it can be toxic if you let it take over your life. I have been trying my best to put my phone down, and look up more. Look up and engage in conversations, and look up while driving for goodness sakes. I know it’s extremely hard, but I challenge you to try and put down your phone more. I challenge you to enjoy life, instead of behind a screen, but experience its beauty in person. Stop taking pictures of the scenery every ten seconds to post on your story, and just enjoy it. Eat your food instead of taking multiple pictures and spending half your meal seeing which filter looks better. Like I said, I am guilty of all of this too. I am not trying to sound like a hypocrite. But I am definitely trying to change, and I hope you can too, because you definitely can.
