Do you ever question why we can’t ever seem to stop scrolling on social media? Whether you’re reading the news, scrolling through holiday photos posted by your friends, or watching yet another sponsored advertisement post from your favorite ‘influencer, ’ users can’t seem to put their phones down. A study in 2016 found that a mobile phone owner touches their phone 2,617 times a day. Data confirmed by Apple indicates that the average user with Touch ID unlocks their phone every 11 minutes and 15 seconds. Over 50 percent of the world’s population uses social networking, ranging from Facebook and Instagram to Messenger and Twitter.
Although everyone uses social media, women of all races, ethnicities, and nationalities make up the majority of the audience and creators on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. It’s not a surprise that social media affects girls more than it does boys. Nevertheless, both young girls and boys aren’t safe from the brutality of social media, as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of children admitted to hospitals for self-harm. Social media is taking a huge toll on both mental and physical health. Models and influencers on social media almost always have ‘perfect’ appearances. The idea that someone is naturally born beautiful when they’ve been under the knife has been setting a standard for young people on social media. These standards are unknowingly causing health issues for social media users, especially young teens who want to look the same way.
Everyone on social media seems to all look the same, go to the same places, do the same activities, take photos, and then upload them onto social networks. Why does this happen? Social media is supposed to be a creative space for users to express themselves. A place to learn about cultures and traditions. Nowadays, that’s not the case. Social media users are more likely to go to famous and popular Instagram destinations because it will earn them likes. Besides holiday destinations, people also buy the latest clothing or handbags for the sake of keeping up with a trend. Everything on social media is picture-perfect or as perfect as the users make it look. Whether going on monthly trips to Cabo, having Pinterest-worthy apartments, or always seen wearing designer items, social media has made it look like everyone is a trillionaire with endless money to spend. But in reality, these photos might not even be real; behind the screens, it could all be staged or photoshopped. Without the knowledge of this, more people now than ever are going into debt because of their excessive spending to live the glamorous and luxurious life they’ve seen on social media.
It’s no secret that social media is affecting the lives of its users on a daily basis. All these statements above are, unfortunately, true. Like many things, there are advantages and disadvantages to using social media. It has helped people connect with family and friends over long distances, but it could also destroy these relationships.
The takeaway from this is to understand that you don’t have to completely stop using social media; you just have to be more aware that not everything you see is 100% real. Try to cut down the time you spend on social media and do something that will benefit you instead. Multi-billion dollar companies are more than aware of the causes listed above, but still choose to do nothing as it will affect their profits. It’s time to raise more awareness about the use of social media, especially for teens.
Source and recommended book: Why Social Media is Ruining Your Life by Katherine Ormerod