Click, Share,Beep - Here’s your share of Digital Dopamine.
I remember this one conversation with KolAsher where we discussed how the Social Media has spoiled an entire generation. When we have nothing else to talk about, it’s either this or the climate change (Gah!), or his endless talks about the geo-political scenes! Yet we both continue using a string of apps that ‘let us connect with the world.’ If you wiki search the term ‘social media’ it will tell you and I quote “computer-mediated technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks.” Sounds fancy, eh? Well, it is! Never before in history was it is easy to stay in touch with family & friends.
Everyone is a schmuck these days. Social media, which I believe, started as a form of ‘connecting’ has evolved into one nasty world. This world has today turned into a full-fledged advertising medium, a place to target hate, and a place where one can pretend to be just about anyone they want to enhance one's reputation, and most importantly a place where humans and their brain, cognition, and well-being is desensitized. When it comes to being a ‘social media personality’, you are either loved, seen as an inspiration, or termed flat out stupid or foolish, or an obnoxious, contemptible or detestable person. I think there is no in between.
Having survived (?) 10 years on social media without going bonkers (!!), I feel I have gained some expertise and deem myself fit to write about this mad chaotic world. This medium is perfect to satisfy one's social drives. Here you broadcast information, observe others, receive feedbacks, and the worst of it all, compare! Google’s Orkut and MySpace were quite a big deal back in 2004-2007 till Facebook came into picture. Facebook’s clear cut and decent UI, and curated third-party apps helped it gain initial momentum with the users. From time to time, Facebook kept updating itself and engaging more users, so much so that it almost became a ‘norm’ to have Facebook. Then Twitter followed. One of the most fun apps even today, I (personally) believe Twitter is unmatchable. Its to-the-point, no hierarchies, no prejudices, and “open to everyone” conversations is what makes this app so much fun! Apart from this, Snapchat came in to up your sexting game (it actually pushed me to click a perfect butt selfie), Tinder came to actually help you score (a date), Tumblr came in with its aesthetically pleasing (whoa!) high-def images, Pinterest came is where the girls could plan their weddings, WhatsApp replaced the good ol’ SMSes, and of course, r/Reddit was a place to discuss ‘anything at all.’
When I look back, I realize that every ‘like’ that I have got created a kind of a pleasurable stimulus that got me even more addicted. The social media is designed to be addictive. It designed to mess up with your brain’s algorithm and keeps you hooked. It’s scary how much time we spend online these days. What’s even scarier is that we choose to spend time of social media than engage in real-life face-to-face interactions. Walk into a room full of people and you will find more than half of them blankly staring at their screens. The lack of personal interactions has had a detrimental effect on people’s confidence and has hence given rise to social anxiety. Today, people have become more paranoid/nervous about attending social events. They forget to draw a line between what is real and what is not. Obviously, not everything you see on the social media is real. Seeing other people (pretending to be) happier makes one feel ‘life is not fair for them.’ Passively scrolling through the timelines, seeing pictures of your ‘friends’ getting married, traveling the globe, eating at the finest restaurants, wearing the best of the brands, owning the latest gadgets, and will definitely affect your self-esteem, and not in a very good way. Again, here we forget that these are just the ‘air-brushed’ versions of people’s lives.
The more you are online, the worse it gets. Put 2 and 2 together, and you will realize that the more social media apps one has, the more he/she is at the risk of depression. The fabricated appearance/attractiveness of others may result in the manifestation of the insecurity and the quest for recognition among the peer will drag you deep into a chaotic world.
Now has the social media become so important that we are ready to sacrifice out mental, physiological and physical health for it? Think about it. Time is the most valuable asset. Seriously, stop wasting it being stuck to your phone screens.
Take a moment and breathe. Stretch your legs. Have a glass of water. Realize that there is much more life out there, than in here.
In an attempt to break the Internet, do not let it break you!
:P Now seriously get off your screens!