Am I An Addict?

Our society is built off of human relationships and experiences. As our society grows so does our advancement of technology. In the 20th century we have built these relationships and experiences through the use of social media in order to stay connected. Out with the old in with the new. Generations have been divided between “let’s talk face to face” and “let’s text or DM.” Dinner dates have turned into a face full of social media and not conversation. Children can operate iPads, laptops and cell phones better than their parents. We are a technology based world, and with that comes the use of social media. I believe that technology is powerful and can benefit our society, but we need to limit our social media usage and have real relationships with others.

Social media plays a crucial role in my life in regards to keep in touch and staying connected. I use Facebook to gather news about my family and events that occur all across the country. Snapchat has become my new way to text. A quick selfie and a brief message can make for a much easier way to communicate. Instagram is a way to brag to my followers about the fun event I attended or the selfie I took where my skin looked flawless. Twitter is a way to make sure my friends are doing okay, as most of us tweet our emotions, whether people wanted to know them or not. I am not afraid to admit that I am extremely dependent on social media and it plays a crucial role in my life. If I’m not in class or asleep, I am using one of my listed social media apps. I feel that if I’m not using it or on it, I am missing out on something important. The sad part is, I know that is not true, but it doesn’t change my dependency on it. I would say, on average I waste, not spend, 10 or so hours on social media a day.

This addiction to social media has shaped my self confidence. I am constantly comparing the lives I see on social media with my own and never being satisfied with what I have right in front of me. I am blinded to my blessings because the blessings of others always seem so much better. We are so good about posting our highlights but never talking about the low moments we all experience. I empathize less with people because I can’t read emotion through a computer screen. When I have face-to-face conversations with people, I can feel the pain someone is dealing with, notice their excitement or appreciate their honesty. Behind a screen or through a social media application we lose touch with these emotions. I have always been a face-to-face person; I believe confrontation is crucial in handling any issues or communicating effectively. I do know many friends or even relatives that feel more comfortable behind social media or their technology to confront and have conversation. I want to continue to handle conflict and have conversations face-to-face, it is important.