Social Media and Personal Relationships

Jordan Kauwe

Social media lets us connect with more people, but sometimes it detracts from our real-life interactions.  

On the one hand, some people may be addicted to their social media. Also, whether we like it or not, social media usage is intrinsically linked to our mental health. It is not surprising that social networking sites are addictive. The reason that these sides are addictive comes down to a natural social human behavior  FOMO of fear of missing out. Social media feeds our needs and how easy it is to be able to consciously tune into social media. We can log into our accounts through our smartphones and other devices everywhere, anytime. When you are constantly exposed to an idealized version of other people’s lives it can be difficult not to compare your life to theirs. Some societies are associated with a number of issues and potential dangers including stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression. In addition, social media can affect your love life considering the time you spend online. 

However, social media is not always an online distraction or procrastination platform. It’s also one of the best ways to stay informed. Major news outlets, corporations, and persons of interest use social media to deliver messages to the masses. When items are posted immediately, the public has the opportunity to stay up to date.

What would we do without social media these days? Since the pandemic started, we have become even more reliant on it.  Social media was used not only as a remote learning tool, but also helped people stay connected with friends and family during the long quarantine.

Social media is neither entirely good nor entirely bad. How much social media do we really need in life?