Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter have quickly become the most popular medium of communication between millennials. Aided by the convenience and constant access provided by mobile devices, especially smartphones, 92 per cent of teens report going online daily – including 24 per cent who say they go online “almost constantly,” according to a new study from Pew Research Center. More than half (56 per cent) of teens – defined in this report as those ages 13 to 17 – go online several times a day, and 12 per cent report once-a-day use.
There are many positive attributes to social media. It allows a connection between users on a global scale that has never been seen before. Therefore, those who may have been marginalized are able to find a connection to those who have the same experience. There are Facebook groups for those suffering from diseases, parents in need of advice, and support groups for those being bullied.
While social media offers a sense of connection, and the sharing of ideas and information that is in many ways revolutionary, it appears to have more negative aspects than positive. My generation is often labelled as lazy – expecting instant gratification for little work. Millennials are also often considered vain – our self-esteem rooted in the likes and comments of our latest selfies. In many ways, these generalizations are inaccurate, however, social media is reportedly contributing to mental health issues in its users.
Many psychologists have recently made reports on what they call “social media depression.” Some Facebook and Twitter users choose to share every thought and every action in their lives, but for most they choose to post the best and most impressive aspects of their lives. Facebook pages are made up of work promotions, engagement announcements, scholarly achievements and records of concerts and travel. This phenomenon, psychologists suggest, causes a type of depression in viewers. When you only see the inherently positive aspects of another person’s life, it seems as though you can never keep up. Very few choose to post about everyday struggles, but rather the extraordinary aspects of their lives, in order to appear to be a much more successful version of themselves.
Social media, for me, offers instant access to news outlets – both global news and perhaps more shallow celebrity news. It allows me to share my work and to chat with friends across the world. But I too get caught up in the appearances of it all. While social media is an incredible tool in terms of sharing information and communication with those you may not have a chance to otherwise, in many ways the connection it offers is superficial. In a recent attempt to stay off social media, I couldn’t help but feel I was missing out on important news. However, it was a reminder to value real connection with others. For the sake of our relationships, and perhaps our mental health, perhaps cutting back on social media could provide more valuable conversation and connection.
