Social media runs most people’s lives nowadays. Phones are always in hand, and screen time is higher than you’ll ever imagine.
But why does social media ruin us, and why has society grown so accustomed to it?
Social media is one of the biggest contributors to the expectations of how one should live their life. People compare themselves to what they see on social media every single day, with every scroll, whether it’s on Instagram, TikTok, or any other social platform.
Three main areas that are significantly affected by social media are body image, relationships, and the use of artificial intelligence.
- Body Image
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Social media has created unrealistic expectations for body image, especially for women and girls. Every year seems to bring a new trend or social norm that sets an unrealistic expectation for what a woman’s body should look like, based on how social media stars physically look at that time.
Trends like the “Kardashian body” or achieving a skinny body type are what we typically see on social media. This causes a rise in body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and overall makes young girls think they aren’t pretty because they don’t look like the models on their screens.
Although body positivity has improved, there is still a stigma that dictates an ‘ideal’ beauty type for women.
This affects young girls especially because social media exposes them to these negative comments and videos, giving them the wrong impression of how their body is supposed to look as they are developing through girlhood.
- Relationships
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There are always expectations when it comes to relationships, especially romantic ones. But social media has created unhealthy and extreme norms when it comes to what a “healthy” relationship should look like.
There are many videos telling people how they should act in their relationships — enforcing how they need to speak, act, and treat their significant other. This idea creates competition and comparison between personal relationships and the ones they see online.
On the other hand, social media has also made it easier for people to communicate with their significant others. However, this strictly online form of connection has quickly become excessive.
Constantly texting or Snapchatting your significant other sacrifices an actual, meaningful interaction and communication between partners. I think it’s important to call your significant other every once in a while, or just lay the phones down when you’re together, so you aren’t distracted by them.
- Artificial Intelligence
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The rise of AI has increased the amount of misinformation spread across social media. This can look like fake news and fake videos of people, especially celebrities or important figures in society.
As of late, the internet’s biggest concern is the rise in fake news and just plain misinformation.
For example, many elderly individuals are falling victim to fake videos or phone calls that lead them to become scammed or just believe fake news, etc. They see these videos and believe they are real just by watching them. A large portion of news posted on TikTok or Instagram does not come from actual journalists, making it harder to differentiate between a credible source and an AI-generated post.
Social media has ruined many aspects of people’s lives, but there are advantages to it. People just need to learn how to use social media in a positive and healthy way, instead of letting social media and the things that are posted control their thoughts.