Several articles came out recently that tell us Social Media is causing us to become insecure and narcissistic – causing huge amounts of anxiety – including this one.
Maybe you don’t know the feeling of posting something online and especially on Facebook and then constantly checking back in to see if anyone has commented or “liked” but I do. I admit I am probably the most narcissistic as they comes, when it comes to online response and attention.
Now, I don’t lie awake at night wondering if people are reading my blog or will they see that fabulous picture I posted on Instagram and stuff like that. I think a little of this is healthy but as with ANYTHING if not kept in check it can get out of control.
Here are a few comments from the above mentioned article which polled several folks on the subject:
- More than half of those surveyed said the sites had changed their behavior - and half of those said their lives had been altered for the worse. (I can’t imagine my life getting worse because of social media. Who let’s it get to that point? Perhaps if you’re under the age of 25. If we’ve come to the point where social media and being online is affecting our lives in such a way we should stop the insanity. It changes our behavior in how we communicate, but shouldn’t it be for the better? It allows us to engage with folks we would have never been able to had it not been for the webs).
- Those who suffered a negative impact from social media said their confidence fell after comparing their own achievements to those of friends online. (It’s never healthy to compare yourself to others whether it’s trying to keep up with the Jones’, a fellow blogger that swears they’re getting thousands of readers a day, or someone bragging about their millionth client. It could be accurate information or not but we should never allow ourselves to get pulled into that trap of “why aren’t I getting all that?”)
- Two-thirds said they found it hard to relax completely or to sleep after spending time on the sites. (Again, there is life outside of the webs and we must not forget that and allow ourselves to be consumed by social media. Set limits for yourself and have the bawls to know when enough is enough. And if this is referring to your child being online, set limits for them).
- One quarter of those polled said they had been left facing difficulties in their relationships or workplace after becoming confrontational online. (It’s never a good idea to be confrontational online. We all have our own opinions, religious or non-religious beliefs and political ideas but there is a line that can be crossed when discussing these things online and this shit can back-fire on you in a Minnesota minute. There comes a point when you just become an arse and a bully. Stop it, people. You’re causing your own difficulty).
These are my opinions of course, but are some things I’ve seen or experienced personally. What are some of your suggestions?
Oh, I’ll be checking your comments to make sure someone read it 
Photo Credit: SavageChickens
I read it.
Thanks. And a BIG THANKS for sharing it
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