10 Reasons Why Social Media Is RUINING Our Lives
Published -
- November 25, 2016
- 6:00 pm
10 Reasons why Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are ruining our relationships and self-confidence.
We are more connected than ever thanks to social media networks. We can share what we eat, where we are, and even attend a friend’s wedding on the other side of the world via Facebook live. With all this access to the world around us, is social media actually benefiting us, or could it be causing more harm than good? From destroying relationships, to causing people to be distracted and unproductive these are 10 ways social media is ruining our lives.
In what ways does social media create feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem through comparisons and envy, and how can individuals mitigate these effects?
Social media, an invention that was supposed to bring people closer together, has now become a tool that is, in many ways, destroying our lives. We all know that social media has changed the way we communicate, and the benefits of that are indisputable, but its drawbacks have rendered many of us reliant on social media platforms, and we are now suffering the consequences. In this article, we will be discussing ten reasons why social media is ruining our lives.
1. Online harassment
Social media has opened up avenues for people to direct messages and comments of hate and vitriol at others. This kind of harassment has even led to some taking their lives.
2. Fake News
False information that is propagated on social media can spread like wildfire and cause irreparable harm. This has led to numerous instances of panic and chaos in society.
3. Comparisons and envy
Social media is making people envious and insecure as they constantly compare themselves to others, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
4. A distraction from the real world
Social media not only eats up our productive time, but also causes us to ignore our surroundings and those around us. Social media also interferes with genuine conversations and relationships.
5. Addiction
Social media addiction has become a widespread problem, leading to unhealthy and dysfunctional behaviors such as depression, anxiety, and poor self-image. Social media addiction also affects dopamine levels in the brain, which can be hazardous.
6. Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying on social media can be just as devastating as physical bullying. Victims of cyberbullying often suffer in silence, feeling too ashamed or frightened to ask for help.
7. FOMO
The “Fear of Missing Out” is a real issue that is brought about by social media. It is easy to feel like you are not living your best life as you scroll past images of others living the dream on Instagram.
8. Disinformation and propaganda
Social media is now a weapon of mass influence for many organizations, groups or individuals out to propagandize or spread false news. With social media’s global reach, the impact can be far reaching.
9. Privacy invasion
Social media collects massive amounts of data and places them in the hands of organizations that use it for their own purposes, sometimes without permission or regard for privacy.
10. Polarization in society
Online groups and communities have created echo chambers that create polarization in societies. These “walled gardens” have allowed extremist views to thrive leading to greater divisions in society.
In conclusion, social media has become an insidious weapon that is causing more harm than good. Consequently, it is important that people become more aware of social media’s hazards and how it is impacting us both individually and as a society. It is only by curbing these negative effects that we can ensure that social media remains a beneficial tool rather than a detrimental force.
