We live in a world where social media is an integral part of our lives. We spend hours every day scrolling through our feeds, liking and commenting on posts, and sharing our own content. Social media has changed the way we communicate, get news, and interact with our loved ones. However, it has also made us more isolated and disconnected from the world around us. In this speech, I want to explore how social media makes our lives better or worse.
A few years ago, I attended a social media event where influencers shared their stories and encouraged others to build authentic relationships. However, I noticed that many of them chose to connect online rather than with the people right in front of them. This moment changed my perspective on social media. It is making us more social, killing relationships, and replacing experiences. We spend an average of two hours a day on social media, which adds up to over five years and four months over the course of a lifetime.
Social media has replaced the experience of visiting museums and art galleries with a digital representation of those things. We care more about how other people perceive our adventures than actually having them. It has also impacted social issues, where slacktivism has become a trend. People press the like button rather than actively engaging with campaigns in real life.
Micro-cheating is another issue that has arisen through social media, pushing the boundaries of fidelity. We know that the world is changing every day because of technological inventions, but we need to remember that technology is not the problem. We are slowly becoming addicted to social media, and we need to take action to get our focus back.
Human connection brings complex value to our lives. It’s the interactive exchange that defines us. We need to use social media as a support to building real relationships, not a catalyst to losing them. We can turn notifications off, delete social media apps from our phones, and educate others about how to manage their usage. We can use social media to build relationships and take them offline.
In conclusion, social media has its pros and cons. We need to be aware of the impact it has on our lives and take action to ensure that it enhances our lives instead of hindering them. Human connection is vital to our happiness, well-being, and even longevity. Let’s disconnect to connect.