Selena Gomez, who has become the most followed person on Instagram explains that being the social media queen isn't all its cracked out to be. In an interview with Vogue Gomez said, "As soon as I became the most followed person on Instagram, I sort of freaked out. It had become so consuming to me. It's what I woke up to and went to sleep to. I was an addict, and it felt like I was seeing things I didn't want to see. Like it was putting things in my head that I didn't want to care about."
Social media left a bad taste in Gomez's mouth. So the star took a 3-month break from it. She made her first appearance back in the limelight at the 2016 American Music Awards. Selena Gomez won best pop/rock female artist. She used her time to accept the award to make a compelling speech.
"I had everything, and I was absolutely broken. And I kept it together and I swore I would never let you down, but I kept it too much together to where I let myself down." She continued saying, "I don't want to see your bodies on Instagram, I want to see whats in here (holds hand to chest). I'm not looking for validation nor do I need it anymore."
Selena Gomez's authenticity has made known the harsh realities of social media. As a communications major, I am well aware of the many benefits social media has. It is a great tool and when used correctly it can be very beneficial. However, like any tool when used improperly it can be dangerous.
The problem with social media doesn't lie in the fact that people can send cruel anonymous messages on Tumblr, or that people can use snapchat to embarrass others, or that Instagram users can hide behind a screen name and torment other individuals. The problem originates when we give an individual social media without teaching them how to properly use it. You wouldn't hand a child a nail gun or a saw and tell them to have at it. Yet, that is exactly what we as a society are doing when we hand a child a smartphone and give them access to the world of social media. I have seen first hand how power tools (when used properly) can make something extraordinary, like a brand new building. In the same way, social media (when used properly) can also be extraordinary. We just have to remember (and teach children) that social media it's not the end all.
