Captured Online
Social media is a peculiar addition that has plagued our planet, engulfing our lives with what appears to be irreversible affects. We spend endless hours on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, Tinder, Tumblr, StumbleUpon, LinkedIn, Flickr, Google+, Reddit and... well, you get the picture. And whilst we have an account for every other app, eagerly awaiting the likes, views and comments to roll in, are we missing out on life itself?
We're a generation of every moment captured. Every moment posted. Our social media profiles acting as a highlights reel of our life. 9/10 we post a small snippet of positive moments to make our lives look more appealing online. We take photographs ensuring everything is perceived exactly how we want it - Smile, hold this, move that, get in closer.
"...people are able to control when, where, how, and with whom they interact with online. As a result, individuals exert greater control over their interactions." as claimed by McKenna and Bargh.
Do you think it’s strange that society’s priorities have shifted from friendships to followers, 'friends' and likes? It appears we are becoming a generation of crazy control freaks, ensuring our online identities are sculpted to perfection.
A study by Cialdini and Goldstein talk about how humans mimic one another’s behaviours. How we analyse what is going on and react or respond accordingly depending on what everyone else is doing - even if we know it's wrong. Apparently in our heads it's justified as "more appropriate" if it's a collective of individuals. I find studies like this a little concerning. If someone is trolling a photo and three others jump on board poking ‘fun’, all of a sudden this is okay in our society?
Thomas Jefferson once said, "one man with courage is a majority." We appear to be evolving as online cowards and bullies, shying away from standing up for those who potentially cannot defend themselves or find themselves targets oppressed by friends and strangers with opinions.
This is colossal for online platforms. A great deal of individuals feel they have a 'safety net' when cyber bullying, stalking and abusing others. Despite government efforts, it appears monitoring and education for online users has been somewhat futile, with users having the freedom to create fake profiles and troll as often and as long as they like.
“One has to accept the fact that the social networking sites are beginning to change the way we communicate with each other.”
However it's not all bad news on the social media front with two sides to every coin. I’ve compiled a list of wonderful things social media brings to our table.
- Raising awareness or shedding light on an issue
- Staying connected with family and friends when you (or they) go travelling
- Staying connected with family and friends who live in another town/city/state/county.
- Inspiration is everywhere
- When you’re feeling a little blue, there’s sure to be a funny animal video in your next scroll
- Small businesses can be recognised
- Large corporations are forced to address their mistakes
- A better platform for artists
- Community groups can be formed
- Cultures can be shared more freely than ever before
- You can see how great I look when posting my happysunday snaps – just kidding!
I’m sure this is an endless list. But, as with most things in life, moderation should be considered. Maybe this is the real issue, self control?
Where am I going with this? It’s the people physically in front of you, with you. Give them the time of day, put down your phone, lock your tablet and close your laptop. Actually look across at the other human being who has taken the time out of their day to say 'hey, how are you, I enjoy your company'. Not the top of your head and the incessant clicking, beeping and vibrating from messaging with Harry, a guy you haven't met yet because he's too busy taking selfies.
I'm not saying I'm perfect and haven't been that person. I have. I think it's more important to realise the potential error of our ways, accept them and start to change those habits. As OSHO often stated, to change the world, I must first change myself.
Are you on social media for some unmeasurable time everyday. What’s your biggest weakness? Instagram is mine.
Until next time.
CA