Was social media a good idea? In a world with 5.11 billion social media users, myself included, I wonder what life would look like without it. There is a profound social media presence in the average adolescent’s everyday life. Whether it is TikTok, Snapchat or Instagram, these apps have revolutionized the way we communicate, interact, and even view ourselves. While social media has shown to advance our society, and I know millions of people would not be able to survive without it, social media has also contributed to the major challenges we face in society today: an increase in mental health issues, the spread of misinformation, and fueling conflicts surrounding societal norms.
The first thing I do in the morning while I am still in bed is check Instagram. Social media has definitely allowed me to make Instagram the start of every day, and has helped me stay in contact with my peers and family members more easily. One of the main benefits of social media is its ability to connect people across vast distances. For example, I use Snapchat to receive photos from my brother while he is abroad in Italy. These platforms allow people to have a sense of closeness with those far from them.
When the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic hit, the whole world was on lockdown and it almost felt as if everyone’s lives came crashing down on them; one of the only things still thriving was social media. While we were all trapped in our houses, tie-dying and baking, we were not alone; people were more connected than ever through the internet. In the midst of all this “alone time,” we were zooming, snapping, and posting selfies on our Instagrams. Even Netflix created watch parties: a platform that made it so we could view movies and shows with others amidst a nation-wide quarantine. At this time, social media allowed for many people to network and make friends with people they would never have crossed paths with in the “real world”, and enabled them to have thriving social lives. Having access to social media while in the pandemic allowed me and billions of other people to feel less alone in a time where it seemed the world was on pause. Although businesses were closed and we had to remain six feet apart at all times, being able to connect online kept many of us feeling less isolated. Social media had a comforting and positive impact on my life during this time period and benefited society by enabling people to maintain fulfilling social lives without having to be physically present.
Despite the fact that social media does have substantial benefits, it can also cause mental health and self-esteem issues. The constant exposure to fixed images of idealized lifestyles and hurtful trends – like “glow-up” challenges or before and after transformations – can lead to unrealistic comparisons and make individuals feel dissatisfied with their own lives. Lots of influencers who flash this perfect image of themselves have contributed to the average person’s insecurities. As a teenage girl deeply involved with social media, content about self-image and body positivity is flooding my feed. While some accounts advocate self-love and acceptance, others continue to promote harmful standards that many struggle to meet. This inconsistency not only affects how I view myself, but also shapes my peers’ perceptions of worth and happiness.
Social media may not have been invented with the intention of negatively affecting users’ mental health, but giving people the ability to send out any message with just a click can cause a lot of harm. One solution to this issue at hand is eliminating social media entirely. Some people believe that the removal would be extremely beneficial to users’ self esteem and along with this they simply just wish social media had never been created. However, as a person who feels like they can cope with the impacts of social media, and to be honest someone who is quite reliant on it, I do not wish social media was never invented.
When I asked a few of my peers the question of whether they wish social media was never invented, they all had the same initial response: they could not live without it. This is understandable given that social media is the main source of entertainment, connection, and information in today’s digital age. Many rely on social media not only to keep in touch with friends and family, but also to stay informed on current events and trends.
Imagine, however, a world cleansed from social media platforms. When I go to sleepaway camp, I have a seven-week period where I leave behind my phone, laptop, and all ties with the outside world. It is extremely rewarding to have this cleanse and not constantly be “in the know” of all the social media trends. Yet, there would be times when I was craving social media and curious to know what has been going on in the world. Considering that my being able to go seven weeks without social media was difficult, I can’t even fathom how hard it would be in a world where social media was never even invented.
For my generation, social media is an integral part of life and it shapes how we see ourselves in the world. Despite the many negatives, I do not wish it was never invented. Its profound presence has many benefits like being a social outlet during times like the pandemic and offering a platform for self-expression and connection with people across the globe. I’m grateful for the way social media enhances my life, even as I remain aware of its pitfalls.