It’s almost impossible to imagine our lives without social media! Even if you aren’t super-connected with all the latest devices, you’re probably on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter – even if it’s only for work – and for teens, social media is the norm. But has this shift in how we meet, greet and interact with each other impacted our behaviour as people? Let’s take a look.
Meeting and staying in touch
More and more, social media is being used to maintain old friendships and find new ones. Facebook and LinkedIn are often used to track down lost friends and colleagues, while Facebook and Twitter are often used to keep tabs on family and friends, and keep up-to-date on news, trends, industry and interests.
The upside of social media
Sure, we still meet new people at bars, parties and through mutual friends, but social media has made it super-easy to find your “perfect match”. That means connecting right away with people who like what you like, read what you read, and have similar hobbies. And while there’s only so much communication you can cram into 140 characters on popular micro-blogging site Twitter, Tweetups (where people arrange to actually get together) are taking online encounters to the next level.
The downside of social media
It’s easy to mistake digital intimacy for true intimacy, and online relationships are taking up more of our time and attention. This lends to alienating the people we care about in our real lives, and that’s never a good idea. Think of intimacy like any other resource: time, money, energy – you have a limited amount, so use it wisely.
Another downside is what’s known as the Social Media Contagion Effect. Based on research by John Cacioppo, it means that if someone in your social network is lonely or hostile and they take it out on you, you’re more likely to ‘transmit’ this mood yourself.
Perhaps one of the biggest downsides to social media, especially for younger users, is the pitfall of comparing ourselves with others. Considering that everyone is posting their good times, filtered pics and successes, it’s easy to start feeling less than complete or successful.
Keep it real!
Keep it real, and maintain that all-important balance between the online world of social media, and the real world. Here’s what you need to do:
- We were going to say: limit the time you spend on social networks, but we know that won’t work. Rather, let’s say this: increase the time you spend with friends, family, outdoors, at gym, walking the dog – and leave devices on ‘sleep’ while you’re at it. It’s harder to have a 30-minute online chat while you’re out to dinner with fabulous people, right?
- Live your life, not other people’s lives. As the saying goes, ‘There will always be people greater than you, and people lesser than you.’ It’s all too easy to get caught up in vicarious experiencing of other people’s lives at the expense of experiencing your own.
- Lastly, and most important: don’t compare yourself to other people. No, really, don’t. From Photoshop to groaning credit-cards, there’s no way of knowing what people’s lives are truly like offline. Don’t miss out on real experiences of your own!
Source: Mashable