It’s been said that the most important moments in life are the ones where we are too busy enjoying ourselves to even think about being on our phones. So, why is it that social media has completely dominated every aspect of our lives and has caused us to believe that we need to show everyone else when we are having a good time?
More and more we have found this to be true, especially within the younger generations. Everyone is so concerned with their image to the outside world that they forget why they went to go do something in the first place. People are forgetting to search for their own self-fulfillment, leaving us more prone to self-doubt, anxiety, depression, and more.
According to CNN, teens check their social media feeds over 100 times a day. The average American spends over four hours a day on his phone, which is about 86 hours a month. That’s over 1,000 hours a year, or a little less than 50 days. There are only 365 days in a year. Do we really want to spend 15% of them on our phones? This inordinate amount of time has wreaked havoc on our mental health, especially for those who are socially less secure. Rather than making people feel more secure in themselves, they are more likely to feel lonely, sad, or socially anxious because of their use of social media.
When 13-year olds were asked “what is the worst thing that happened to you on social media?” their responses typically revolved around their disappointment about their best friends hanging out without them and then posting about it, their friends denying that they hung out without them (and posting about it), or basically anything that would make them feel excluded in anyway (CNN). As collegiettes, we can relate to these feelings and all have felt a time where social media has caused us to feel excluded.
On top of the feelings of exclusion, people use social media in a way that lowers their self-esteem. Everyone is so busy comparing themselves to people online that they forget to value themselves for who they are at the moment. This is an important idea that most girls (and guys) forget because they are too involved in thinking about unrealistic expectations set forth by everyone on social media, ranging from your closest friends to celebrities and models.
In a world where everyone is overexposed, the coolest thing you can do is maintain your mystery. Think about that next time you’re on your phone at a party taking a panorama of the scene to post on your story, or at a concert watching through a tiny screen when you could be watching it live with your friends. Even if you are jealous and wish you were somewhere else, your time is used a lot more wisely if you stopped wallowing and started focusing on where you are now. Instead of lurking online, take some time to think, problem solve, converse with others, daydream, get some exercise, and enjoy nature. These are the moments that matter- don’t let them lose their value by not being fully present for them.
Put your phone away and be here now.