On Social Media. Alternate Title- Stop Hating on my Soulmate. Okay?

Hello everyone,

Fickleness of the world is never to be underrated. A few years ago, social media was denounced by the adult population of the world as the root of all evil. You fail your exam? Facebook's fault. You wear short dresses? Twitter is to be blamed. Want new clothes? Instagram has way too many fashion blogs. World War 3? Snapchat caused that. Most of these examples are obviously not accurate but they are also not far from the truth.

The millennials and the younger generation (who I refer to as fetuses) steadfastly stood by their beloved through all this name calling and general mud-slinging. They preened, posed, pouted and posted throughout this very trying time. Somewhere along the line, the older generation (also known as old people) started seeing a silver lining to this black cloud of doom. My theory is that one of them decided that Facebook and texting are good ways of keeping in touch with each other. They could even keep tabs on the drunken antics of their wayward children. And then they let their friends in on this scam.

Then, suddenly, people started sharing these images on how social media is corrupting and brainwashing us into mindless drones. YouTube "celebrity" Essena O'Neill quit YouTube and Instagram stating that it is “contrived perfection made to get attention”. The support and backlash that followed her announcement came in full force because the people on the internet have an opinion about everyone and everything. I had no idea who she was before this media circus so I am not going to pass any judgment on her decision. This is a first for me.

Social media gets bad press and is often blamed for all that goes wrong. Everything in this world has its own pitfalls, and social media has a lot of them. It makes people advertise their life as "perfect"- every joke Twitter-worthy, and every photo very Instagram-able. They curate their lives online to look very #nofilter but the reality can be very far from it which sucks because it can be damaging to themselves and to others. It is basically an illusion that makes people question their lifestyle choices and measure self worth on the basis of materialistic things that they have failed to acquire.

I like social media though. I find it extremely useful... like a hammer. A hammer is useful for driving nails in the wall but if you get carried away with it, fingers get hurt and toes get stubbed. (Did that make any sense? I am very proud of my use of metaphor. Or is it a simile?) I found solace in social media when I was deathly scared of interacting with people- I couldn't share my thoughts with anyone and kept all my potential hidden away in a metaphorical box somewhere. I could hide behind my computer and share a status, knowing that no one is going to laugh in my face at my half-witted attempt to sound profound. I slowly started understanding myself when I saw that the world is full of kooky misfits just like me and that made me feel less alone. 

I came across some wonderful people, initially, through social media who are now some of my best friends. I can connect with people halfway across this world who will accept me for who I am- lazy, cynical, and very scared of rejection. I can keep up with what happened in Greenland in the comfort of my own home. I can stalk my favourite celebrities online.

For me, instant gratification is the key to a happy existence. Obviously.

Balance is very vital when it comes to sharing one's life on the internet. You can be open and honest without sounding preachy. It is not social media that is pressurizing you into uploading that photo you are not 100% sure about. Honesty and transparency, regarding your life, is in your control completely. Rather than quit all of this and become a hermit, use this inspiring tool to become a better, more well adjusted person.

Put down that selfie stick and change the world. Or not. I ain't yo' daddy.

Moo x