It is difficult to oppose the idea that social media is here to stay, and will not be disappearing anytime soon. Even in a positive sense, online platforms do still have a grip on us, as it has become a part of our everyday lives and allows us to remain connected with people across the globe.
However, social media has its drawbacks. Think about all the times you have got lost in a rabbit-hole of aimlessly scrolling, being distracted from your day-to-day responsibilities and commitments. It happens way too often, especially to young people who have been brought up in this digital sphere, and this has tangible consequences: social media has been proven to heighten anxiety amongst young people.
Online spaces have provided a pathway for a countless number of people to neglect valuable human interaction, which is a staple aspect of growing up. Procrastination is something I am sure many of us struggle with at times: carelessly scrolling for hours on end; missing out on meaningful face-to-face conversations; getting distracted from assignments; even struggling to get the correct amount of sleep on a night-time. Social media has expedited to this.
Undoubtedly, we will not stop using social media, I know I won’t. The platforms will continue to have a strong hold on us for the unforeseeable future. For this reason, we must adapt our ways of living to ensure we remain in control of these online spaces, and they do not end up controlling us.
