According to Potter (2016), we live an information-saturated culture, and this is growing at an accelerating pace. Moreover, social media continues to be the fastest growing area for media exposure, being consumed mostly on smartphones and other mobile devices.
To be honest, I can’t imagine life without social media. It is a part of everyday life. I check Instagram, twitter, YouTube, etc. several times daily. It’s where I access sporting and general news, where I access funny and interesting videos and pics.
I understand that social media has its negative effects. For instance, according to a study by the Child Mind Institute (2020), social media and text messages that have become integral to teenage life, are promoting anxiety and lowering self-esteem. However, social media is also “company”. It gives you something to do when you have nothing to do. It eliminates the awkward moments when you are by yourself. In the past, would you do while you stood alone?
I understand the negative side effects – constantly checking, day or night. That cannot be good. But I think with a little self-awareness, it’s not so bad.
References
Potter, James. Media Lieracy. 8th ed., Sage Publications, 2016.
Ehmke, Rachel, and Rachel Child Mind Institute. “How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers.” Child Mind Institute, 2020, childmind.org/article/how-using-social-media-affects-teenagers/.
Patrick Dougherty 