The Pros & Cons of Social Media and the Loneliness We Face

    Social networking sites certainly have a wide range of benefits and drawbacks. I think most of Generation Z is aware of the amazing things social media has brought to us, while also aware that there are some negative effects. Social media has allowed people to become more connected than ever. This, in many ways, is a good thing. It allows us to stay up-to-date on the lives of our loved ones no matter the distance between one another. Another benefit is allowing people to be exposed to people who are different from them. Not everyone has the luxury of living in a diverse area, so many people are able to learn more about cultural and lifestyle differences through social media platforms. It, for those who are willing, allows people to become more open-minded about the different ways people live and the struggles they face.

    Another benefit is that many people have been able to find a sense of community online. For example, I grew up in a very small town and I've always had obscure interests, such as raising betta fish, world geography, travel, and other cultures. In school, I wasn't able to meet many people I could connect with on such things, but the internet and social media helped bring me together with those who also were excited about the same things as myself. Additionally, it helped to expand my knowledge and perspectives on such topics.

    But that doesn't mean social media is all good. A lot of people have become addicted to it-- not only younger generations but even older ones. The issue is that many people don't see the issue with continuously checking one's phone at a dinner or social gathering because it has become so normalized that social media is a part of our daily lives. Yet, this behavior is a clear sign of dependence on one's device and hinders real-life social interaction. While I said that it can help to build communities online, it can also damage real-life connections if one is not careful. I will be honest and say that I definitely am on social media more than I'd like to be, but one thing I am good about is putting my phone away while in the company of others. However, many of the people in my life struggle with this. We could be having a serious conversation and they constantly glance at their device, or having a dinner where it would be wonderful to have a conversation, but they're too busy watching videos on their phone. I think, for both sides, this could be an attribute to the loneliness epidemic currently being faced (which you can learn about more in-depth and see additional correlations between social media and loneliness here). While one side struggles to connect because the other is on their device, the one on their device is too dependent on social media to form deep real-world connections. 

    Another issue that may arise is that some people seek validation through online posts rather than finding ways to validate themselves alone or through other means. This can also lead to being dependent on social media, but also, it has become easier than ever to become dependent on the ideas of others. Not that this didn't exist before, but now the opinions of some strangers who may not know anything about the poster are highlighted more. This can also lead to a decline in mental health if the responses to a post are not up to the standards the poster had wished for (ie. like count) or if harmful comments or messages are left on it.

Photo // Rawpixel Ltd.

    However, despite this, I don't exactly believe it is a social media platform's job to promote mental health among users. At least, not more than most already do. I absolutely agree with having guidelines for what can be posted to prevent gore-media and sensitive, triggering posts to be made. I also agree with being able to block and report those who may be harassing someone on social media. But I believe those are the general rule of thumb for most online platforms. With social media addiction, as I discussed earlier, at the end of the day it is each individual's responsibility to maintain a healthy balance. Just like how someone can drink alcohol but not be an alcoholic, someone can use social media without becoming dependent on it. It's our job to be responsible and aware of the risks so that we don't overindulge in either. One system in place to help prevent overusing Instagram is a feature that can remind you to exit the app after a certain amount of time. However, it is up to each individual to set that if they'd like to lessen their screen time. And then, it is also up to them to close the app. It can be very challenging, but it is a choice we have to make.

Social media apps are absolutely exploitative, but so are ads and many other types of companies and brands. At the end of the day, it is our responsibility to take our lives into our own hands. Unfortunately, from my perspective, until enough people break the cycle of social media addiction, it will likely remain challenging to form meaningful, lasting connections in the real world.