Social Media: Changing the World?

Social media is here, and here to stay. I often wonder the long term impacts of social media. I would argue that there are many obvious positive things that come from the usage of social media. However, there are many drawbacks from using social media.

Something major happened on Social media in the year 2020. The modern civil rights movement took the social media world by storm. The murder of George Floyd spread like wildfire across all platforms and reached billions of people. This is something that has never happened before. Due to unheard of audience these things reached it sparked massive protests in almost all major cities in the United States.

Blackout Tuesday was a day in 2020 where millions of people took to social media to show their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.

Social media is changing the documentation of history. I believe this because almost everyone has a platform with an audience. History can be defined as many different things-big or small. Many more pictures and videos are taken on a daily basis. A singular persons history is way more defined now. From documentation of relationships, trips and even meals consumed.

However, social media can be harmful. It romanticizes the lives of others. It is detrimental to yourself confidence. This is because you are comparing your daily life that is nothing out of the ordinary to someone’s highlight reel. This can lead to a rabbit hole of destruction to your confidence. Picture this, your scrolling through your Instagram feed on a typical Monday night. Just got home from a long day of work and your lounging on the couch. You come across a high school classmates post. They are on a luxury getaway in Europe. Doing lavish things and enjoying fine dining. If you are able to keep a good perspective on social media, typically you’d be fine. However, this could cause some major self comparison. Thoughts like, “I don’t have the money for that kind of vacation,” “that dinner” or “those clothes.” This could really make you feel bad about your life and the things that you have accomplished. Social media definitely materializes our lives in a negative manner.

XO, Lauren Alexis

Comments

Social Media: Good or Bad?

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Lauren Alexis

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