How Does Social Media Affect You?

Are you constantly worried about others' opinions of you via social media? If you’re a part of the

younger generations in today’s society you know the effect social media has on all of us. You’re always

checking your follower count on instagram, researching what posts get the most likes, and sending black

screens that say “streaks” to multiple people when you really only talk to a few of them on a daily basis.

In our heads we believe that each of these streaks are a friendship, when in reality it is just a

number showing us the amount of days we have gone without losing sight of our phones. We feel we

have to send that black screen or that snap of our wall with the word “streak” on it to feel like we are in

with the social trends. We don’t think about it enough to realize that this isn’t how friendships are made.

Having an actual connection with someone isn’t developed from a black screen or the like and

comment you guys both give each other on your instagram posts. Not to mention that what a majority of

people post and talk about on their social media’s are the highs and not the lows. They show off a side of

them that they feel will get the most attention and likes from people they barely even know.

Do you spend the time you have with the people in your life on your phone or do you have

genuine conversations and enjoy the time you have together? It would be awful to look back at times and

the only memories you have with your cousins or with your friends are the ones of everyone being on

their phones instead of living in the moment.

Having social media can also have a negative effect on your own mental health. All over social

media you are seeing people who do or post certain things that get them a lot of attention. You compare

yourselves to them and then start changing the person you are to try and fit the stereotype of what an

intriguing person should be.

You’re taking away what makes you unique compared to others, and making yourself one that

blends in with the crowd. In 10 years, it’s not going to matter how many likes you got on your instagram

post or how many streaks you had. You want to live out the good times in life, not post about them so

everyone else can read about it. At that point you’re basically experiencing it the same way your following

was because you didn't live in the moment like you should’ve. You were more concerned about getting a

good video or photo to post, rather than living through the experiences.

I'm afraid that social media has made us forget that even though we can use it to hold onto
memories, the best part of life is actually living it. Being glued to social media isn’t what we want to

remember as time goes by. What we want to remember is the feeling of laughter and joy when we are

talking to each other face to face and the conversations you have with your friends and family at

gatherings. These are the moments you will cherish the most. By Sofia Martinez