Nowadays it seems, everyone is using at least one social media platform consistently whether it be Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Google+, Tumblr, Tinder or Instagram. None of these are inherently wrong, by no means, but depending on how you use that app, it can either have a definite positive or negative influence. It can not only be affecting your life directly, but impacting others who are connected to you.
I'm not judging or knocking those who use social media in the least bit. I, personally, used to have a handful of social media apps downloaded on my phone which I used regularly. But after a 30-day Digital Detox earlier this year and a lot of time asking myself which apps actually added value to my life, I now only have two on my cell:
(1) Twitter - to keep up with my favorite bloggers and artists & (2) Instagram - to keep up with my family and close friends.
So many people use their chosen platform of networking as a soapbox; a place to rant, a megaphone to blame, and my personal favorite (NOT!)... a pedestal to proclaim their good deeds of the day, trophies they have won and achievements they want to humbly flaunt.
Humility used to be an attractive quality to most people. Now it seems like the majority favor bragging rights over all else. Feeds are constantly full of posts of people full of themselves.
If you NEED to have others' approval of your brand new pair of Nike shoes, your pimped out ride, the A+ you received on your Algebra test, a Blu-ray that you recently ordered off of Amazon, concert tickets you just spent hundreds of dollars on or (the most popular post I see) the plate of food you just ordered at your favorite restaurant... You might need to question your motives and ask yourself, "Can what I'm posting add value to another's life or is it just noise?" and "Am I using my app or is my app using me?".
In the beginning, social media sites and apps were created to bring people together: past friends, long distance family members, and old classmates. They were created to give you opportunities to meet new people outside of your local area, to build relationships, to strengthen relationships and to provide everyone with a convenience that was before, unavailable. It is a direct link to billions of people all across the globe and an easy connection for better and faster communication.
Sadly, I'm afraid, with our society being as self absorbed as it is now, it will only continue to get worse as time progresses.
The only fix is to take action.
The only hope we have is self reflection.
Don't seek the world's approval.
You don't need a crowd of followers.
Don't strive for Likes, Shares, and Retweets.
You don't need constant applause.
Don't post your life away.
Live life for you!
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