Fuzzable
Social media is becoming more predominant in society today. With more and more individuals using various forms of social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat – it is easy to become drawn in and addicted to social media.
I’ve never been a fan of social media, until about a year and a half ago. I’ve used Snapchat for quite a while, but I didn’t understand the concept of Twitter or Facebook? What was a retweet? What was a share? It didn’t make sense to me at all. Once I got Twitter, I started to understand what all these words such as ‘like’ and ‘retweet’ meant. I do love Twitter, and think it’s a great way to connect with people who I watch on TV or whose music I listen to. I like the concept of sending a simple 140 character tweet to express your thoughts and feelings.
For me, Facebook was completely different. And more than anything, Facebook is the one form of social media that has had the biggest impact on me. I’m very careful and aware of what I post to Facebook – and some pretty strange things appear on my timeline. I know people who are addicted to Facebook, and if I’m honest, I never wanted to be addicted to it. I have been in the presence of people who have just sat on Facebook while I’ve tried to have a conversation with them. I mean, there’s only as much scrolling as one person can do?
I created Instagram only a few months ago, and I rarely use it. I like it, but it’s just another form of social media isn’t it? There was a big buzz around it, and I didn’t really understand it – and still don’t.
With all these forms of social media, there seems to be a recurring theme. How many likes can you get on a photo? How many likes can a status get? Social media does change people, and it’s made me aware that people create a fake image of themselves. They try to make out that they have the ideal life. I think a part of social media is being fake, faking people into believing that your life is great and you couldn’t be happier.
Social media is a prime target for hate. I have been the victim of online bullies, and it is not a nice thing to go through. I was receiving rude and nasty messages for no reason. It can happen to anyone, and there is a reason why there is a Block/Report button on profiles. If someone is harassing you, then you have a way of getting rid of them off your timeline!
In general, social media has taught me to not listen to everything that is said on it, and that I should never try to be someone I’m not. It’s better to be real than to be fake.
As much as I may not always love social media at all times, it is a good way to stay up-to-date with friends and family, and be nosey and see what they’ve been up to! Has social media changed me? Definitely.
