Social Media: Are we using it, or Is it using Us?

Hello dear Hivers, happy Friday!

I just want to share about social media.

Today, almost everything we do can be found online, yeah almost everything. Even our daily activities, personal experiences, and celebrations are often shared on social media, right? Instead of enjoying the moment, we feel the need to take pictures or videos and post them online (sad). Sometimes, we become more concerned about how other people see our lives than about actually enjoying what we are doing. And, it feels like we are seeking validation from other people online, especially through their comments and reactions, and I don't think that should be the case. We shouldn't let other people's opinions determine how we feel about ourselves. The problem is that when we read negative comments, we can easily get hurt or discouraged, and sometimes, it can even affect our mental health that can lead to depression.

If you think about it, social media has become a big part of our daily lives. We can use it to communicate with other people, promote our businesses, advertise products, and even earn money through online. Social media is a big help to our small business because it allow s us to advertise our services for free. In fact, many people today use social media as their main source of income.

But social media can also affect our mental and emotional. Because, we compare our lives with what we see online especially on platforms like Facebook and Instagram Reels. Most of the time, we only see the beautiful and happy moments of other people's lives. We see them traveling to amazing places, enjoying life, buying expensive things, and experiencing things that we might only dream of. If we think about it, our own lives might actually be better than what we see in other people's posts. We may already have things worth appreciating, but we fail to notice them because we are too busy looking at what others have.

That's why I believe we shouldn't feel jealous or compare ourselves to everything we see on social media. We never really know the whole story behind someone's post. Not everything we see online reflects reality, and not everything shared on social media is genuine. Sometimes, we become so focused on the lives of others that we forget to appreciate the life we already have.

But what we sometimes forget is that some of these things are created just for content. People usually post what they want others to see, but that doesn't mean their entire life is as perfect as it looks online.

At the end of the day, social media is a tool, and it is up to us to decide whether we use it for something beneficial or allow it to become a distraction. Technology continues to improve, and social media will probably become an even bigger part of our lives in the future. But no matter how advanced technology becomes, we should never forget the importance of real-life experiences, genuine relationships, and taking care of our physical and mental well-being.

In my personal experience, whenever we get together with friends, the purpose is usually to share our life experiences, catch up with each other, and ask how everyone is doing. But nowadays, things seem to be different. Even when we are all sitting together, some are busy checking their phones, especially their social media accounts or playing games instead of joining the conversation. Even when we are about to eat, some people take pictures of their food first before praying and eating. Instead of praying first and then enjoying the meal, taking pictures has become the priority. It's a simple example of how social media can influence our habits, sometimes making us focus more on capturing the moment than actually experiencing it.

Sometimes, we can hardly feel their presence because they are too focused on their screens. They don't interact as much as they used to because their attention is on social media.

If we look back to the time before social media and smartphones became part of our daily lives, gatherings felt different. People were more involved in conversations, everyone had something to share, and almost everyone participated in the discussion. We laughed together, listened to each other's stories, and enjoyed the moment without constantly looking at our phones. Those simple moments made gatherings more meaningful. It wasn't about taking pictures or checking notifications. It was about being present, listening to one another, and creating memories together.

I also observed the effect of social media on children. Since children can easily access different kinds of content online, and because they are still young, they imitate what they see online whether it is right or wrong. With the ability to save videos, share posts, and watch the same content repeatedly, they can easily pick up certain behaviors, words, and habits from the internet.

Sometimes, parents might be surprised to hear their children using inappropriate words or copying behaviors they have seen online, even though they spend most of their time at home. This shows how much influence the internet can have on children's behavior.

That is why parents need to set boundaries when it comes to their children's use of cellphones and social media. It is not just about limiting their screen time but also about knowing what kind of content they are watching, what games they are playing, and who they are interacting with online. Children need guidance to help them understand the difference between what they see on the internet and what is acceptable in real life.

We should also consider the effects of social media on Gen Z and the younger generation in general. Social media gives young people opportunities to learn, express themselves, and connect with others. However, it can also expose them to harmful content, cyberbullying, online conflicts, and unrealistic expectations about life.

Another serious concern is the increasing attention given to school shootings and other acts of violence (especially in our country The Philippines).With the internet, young people can easily encounter news, videos, discussions, and other content related to these incidents. Repeated exposure to violent content may affect how some individuals understand or respond to violence, especially when they lack proper guidance and support.

However, we should not automatically blame social media for school shootings. These incidents are difficult situation, and there is no single explanation for why they happen. Factors such as personal struggles, bullying, social isolation, access to weapons, and other circumstances may also play a role. What matters is that parents, teachers, and communities pay attention to young people's behavior.

We cannot completely prevent children and teenagers from using the internet because technology has already become part of our everyday lives. Instead, we should teach them how to use it responsibly, recognize harmful content, respect others online, and ask for help when something is bothering them.

We cannot simply tell children and the young ones, "Back in our days, we grew up without cellphones, the internet, or Facebook, and we survived just fine." The truth is, they may not fully relate to our experiences because they are growing up in a completely different generation where technology has become part of everyday life.

Instead of comparing their childhood with ours, we need to take the time to explain things properly and help them understand the possible effects of using technology without limits. Parents should be willing to listen to their children, understand their world, and guide them in making better decisions. Sometimes, it's not enough to tell them what they should or shouldn't do. We also need to explain why, so they can understand the reasons behind our advice.

Remember, social media should be part of our lives, but it should never become our entire life.