Like many other people my age, I spend a lot of time online browsing social media. In fact, its a daily, habitual occurrence that has become so normalize and routine that I hardly think about it. This year, according to Wong, "an estimated 4.9 billion people use social media across the world," and of those, "the average person spends about 145 minutes on social media every day (2023)." Needless to say, social media is a pretty big part of most people's lives for better or for worse. Often times both.
To me, it is mindless entertainment. Keyword is mindless. It has unfortunately a become a place where my brain seeks serotonin from a quick laugh, or the occasional notification if I bother to post anything. Yes it is a place, located outside of reality but easily accessible in your pocket. A virtual reality if you will, but truth is, it's a timesuck vortex of fakeness. Sorry not sorry for the bitterness, I grew up with this technology and feel like I have seen an evolution of the good, bad, and ugly. Luckily my childhood wasn't completely tainted by the woes of the internet and social media, or at least by what it has progressed to now. Kids these days... But anyways I digress. After I gain some awareness of my scrolling and stop, I realize 95% of the time it leaves me feeling negative about myself. Like I'm missing out on something, or not living the way I'm supposed to. I'm broke and don't have enough. I'm not popular enough, or posting enough. Something is always missing. Oh yeah, none of this is real.
I know social media has good purposes too, but I'm just saying, of the supposed 145 minutes a day spent on it, like 100 of those minutes are not productive or valuable in anyway. The bad outweighs the good for me, but perhaps that's a personal mindset problem. A positive thing I occasionally get out of social media is that it allows me to communicate and express myself. Even though it inherently feels shallow to me. Even though I get overwhelmed by the fakeness of it all. It is still a tool and medium to stay in contact with distant friends I may not otherwise have access to. Connection to other audiences is possible too if you put in the work and stay consistent. Another positive aspect of social media is that it serves a professional purpose. Brands can connect with customers and vice versa. My dance studio uses social media to share important messages with students, as well as for a portfolio/resume. The main social media apps I personally use are Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. Pinterest is my favorite because it is the least stressful and most inspiring. Hopefully someday I can get more comfortable with being on the platforms and truly harness their abilities to my benefit.
Reference
Wong, B., JD. (2023, May 18). Top Social Media Statistics And Trends Of 2023. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/social-media-statistics/
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