THINK BEFORE YOU SCROLL
Thought Piece on social media by contributing writer Scarlett Buckley
Checking and scrolling through social media has become a part of daily routine; ingrained in our subconscious and habituated into our intricate nature. As millennials, we have witnessed and developed with the evolving technologies that shaped our world of communication. We celebrated and utilised a new medium for interaction. To share whatever we wish, from images and videos, to voice notes and messages. Spoilt by an abundance of ways to connect, and an abundance of selves we can portray to the world.
“ingrained in our subconscious
and habituated into our intricate
nature.”
Though harmonious, there is a darker reality to this endless stream of connection, one that is becoming more apparent as social media becomes more ingrained into society. From implicit feelings of self-esteem and anxiety, to our inbuilt physiological processes such as sleep, the very essence of social media is consequential, and this needs to be acknowledged on both an individual and societal level. With social media projected to be used by 3.1 billion people by 2021, it seems improbable at this point that it will ever be a platform banished from the world, however, if we are to continue using it, it is important to consider the implications entwined into the fabric of what it is, and understand the detriments associated with it.
“darker reality to this endless stream
of connection, one that is becoming
more apparent as social media becomes
more ingrained into society”
The fact is, social media has become an integral part of our lives, however, with this integrity we need to identify the darker consequences. Social media can have huge effects on people’s self- esteem. People can spend hours comparing themselves to others, heightening their insecurities and having a knock-on effect to their general wellbeing. What we need to remember is someone’s digital persona is just that, digital. When people overindulge in posting, they are trying to symbolise their ideal self, someone they want the world to see them as, whereas the real authentic persona lies beyond the screen, and is not the filtered socialite you may see portrayed.
“What we need to remember is
someone’s digital persona is
just that, digital.”
Another negative side to social media is that although it can promote distance communication, it can be detrimental to physical communication. Have you ever been with a group of friends and then realise everyone is staring at their phone, you then realise you could probably could have got more of a conversation out of eachother if you were all messaging on a group chat. So, to keep what was once our only choice; human contact alive, we must be present in the moments we have when are socialising. This can be further expanded through people’s strong desire for a good photo on a night out, or of food before they have consumed it. The cruciality for a perfect photo can alter the experience itself, and taint a memory before it is consolidated. Therefore, just think when you are in a moment, to enjoy it, rather than feeling the need to document it. Remember, the nights and days where minimum photos are taken, are usually the ones to remember.
Additionally, research is now coming to light on how social media impacts our pathology, being linked to depression and loneliness. It was found that by the simple act of reducing social media usage, there is a reduction in the general feeling of loneliness and depression, and heightening in general wellbeing. The study conducted by Hunt and Marx et al is significant as it is the first one that has established a causal link between these pathologies and social media, meaning that the sceptical nature of the relationship has been abolished through the empirical evidence provided.
Overall, social media is an amazing platform for instant communication with friends around the world. It allows human communication more than anyone could have ever imagined, however with this comes the responsibility of understanding and identifying the negative sides to it. With mental health in the spotlight and more pressures on people than ever before, it is implored, to think before you scroll, think before you post and consider your mental health as a priority over your digital self.