Look around and you’ll see almost everyone looking down on their phones probably browsing Facebook, Instagram or Youtube. People spend more time on social media than on anything else. While social media has its obvious benefits, the distraction it brings unconsciously drains us of our most valuable resource – TIME.
For some reason, we follow other people’s status updates – stories, photos, and videos. These days people easily watch videos and unknowingly found themselves hooked to it for the “relief of entertainment” they get.
The younger ones are usually the target of social media marketing. They’re one of the most avid consumers of online content and the biggest catalyst for the social media revolution that has taken the world by storm. Obsession with likes and the number of followers has become a way for some of them to seek validation and approval from society. The value and usefulness of the content matter less compared to the number of likes and reactions they get. Sadly, a scandalous and probably libelous post will get more engagement than factual news and useful information.
Have you asked yourself “What on earth is social media for?”
One does not need a mountain of data to prove something is wrong with the way social media is being used, or abused. It is undoubtedly one of the greatest tools ever created to provide quick access to information about anything. But it has also become one of the biggest dumping grounds of garbage making it hard to discern which posts are factual, and which ones are false and utterly useless.
We are at the peak of the information age, but ironically, a lot of us still remain uninformed (or misinformed). The Internet has made it possible to virtually cross continents and reach out to people all over the world, but it has also made us more disconnected and divided than ever.
But what if we use social media just to spread good vibes, encouragement, inspiration – something that consciously adds value to others? What if we use social media to actually bring people together for a positive revolution instead of dividing into confusion?
Social Media is just a tool. It’s still on us to make or break bridges.
With so many ills plaguing the world, let’s do our part to use social media as a means to enlighten and spread a message of hope and love. Share the good ones, not the destructive ones. Share content responsibly and be sensitive to what impact we bring. Yes, it is your wall, your channel, or your blog. But because you put it out there, everything is for public consumption.
We may have different issues in life but we don’t have to publicize every bit of it. What we share is out of the abundance of the heart. We should also learn to be more discerning of the kind of content we feed our minds. We are after all, what we feed ourselves.
Let’s choose to encourage rather than rant or bash. Spread good vibes. Share the love. Be the change.
