Relationship Between Me and Social Media
Social media is a big part of my life. Although that isn’t the ideal statement, it’s true. Whether it's scrolling on TikTok and Instagram for hours or sending Snapchats to my friends, I find myself on it more than I want to be. it’s ingrained in my daily routine. When it comes to my digital footprint, I like to think I have control. My Instagram is private, and I make sure what I post is something I wouldn’t mind my parents or relatives seeing. I used to be more active on TikTok and built a small following, but now I’m more of a viewer than a creator. It’s definitely still an enjoyable app, but there’s a downside to all that scrolling.
The Light and Dark Sides of Social Media
Social media has its highs and lows. On the light side, it keeps me connected with friends and family, especially those I don’t see every day. Apps like TikTok and Instagram are fun for discovering new trends, learning random life hacks, and exploring different perspectives. It’s powerful to connect with so many people at once.
For every light there’s a dark, Issues like comparison and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) come along when scrolling through Instagram or Snapchat stories. Its easy to feel left out. Everyone shares their vacations, parties, and milestones, making it seem like they’re living a perfect life. It’s hard to remember that social media is just a highlight reel.
Another dark side is reliance. It’s so easy to pick up your phone “just to check something” and suddenly lose an hour. I’ve had moments where I check TikTok before bed, and suddenly it’s 2 a.m. The Third Stage Consulting article made me realize that technology now shapes us more than we shape it. Social media isn’t just a tool, it’s an environment designed to keep us hooked.
The Invisible Footprint
One of the most eye-opening ideas from Fast Company was about "Sharenting", parents posting pictures of their kids online. Many kids grow up with a digital footprint before they even have control over it. This made me think about how other people shape our online presence.
I’ve always believed that keeping my accounts private and being cautious with my posts was enough. But it’s not just about what I post, it’s about what others post about me. Whether it’s a friend tagging me in a photo or being in the background of a TikTok, parts of me are online in ways I can’t control.
What’s scarier is that companies like Facebook and TikTok collect data even when we’re not posting. Just by using the app, we leave a trail. While I’m lucky my parents didn’t post much about me growing up, it’s clear this is a growing issue for younger generations.
Staying in Control
It's not easy, but we can make small changes to how we use social media. TikTok has a feature where you can put a time limit on the app. I put a limit on an hour a day, although sometimes I ignore it, it’s always in the back of my head.
I’ve also become more mindful of how I react to people’s posts. It’s easy to feel like I’m not enough, but I remind myself that no one posts their bad days. This has helped me realize comparison is a thief of happiness.
Lastly, I’m more conscious of privacy. I will make sure my account is private, and I'm not linking Facebook or Google on my Instagram account. The Fast Company article reminded me how much of our information is shared online, without us even knowing.
Social media is always going to be a part of people's life, but we can use it for the good and not the bad. It's supposed to be a space for creativity and connecting with friends, but it also can take up a lot of your time, attention, and privacy. We need to find a balance.
No comments:
Post a Comment