SOCIAL MEDIA
What is the most influential among man's creations?
To the amazement of everyone, She answered SOCIAL MEDIA.
To the amazement of everyone, She answered SOCIAL MEDIA.
She is partially right I think. No! She is 100% right. I still remember back then in high school. Yes, I was sixteen if not wrong, it's been a while. I was so determined to finish high school without any social media. It meant absolutely nothing to me despite having a fairly used android phone; my first companion, we all had that feeling with our first phone. It was the most precious device any child would have and so it is not a matter to dwell so much on.
My Android phone was just for browsing about assignments and watching movies, especially K-dramas. These two were the sole purpose of using the phone.
Toward our senior secondary, it was a norm for everyone to have a social media account, mostly Facebook. My friends would start their gist from what was left of their discussion on the group chat. I always felt lost in their chatty moments but I still stood my ground on my decision because K-drama was enough of an adherent to add more to.
Yea, I said it. I was so clung to them just as sticks as how close a shadow is to its body. It was more of a lot for me to deal with, coupled with a whole lot I had on my plate.
At some point, I couldn't fight it anymore. It was a battle I had to admit defeat. I got home that day and downloaded the Facebook app. I was literally having a double mind on whether to proceed or still fight it yet the urge to proceed had more power.
So I did it; I now had a username, a Facebook account. It was second to none, any teenager would boost for achieving in the social world and I just did.
I was excited, too elated that I was going to connect with my friends and I would finally chip in on their gist here on their group chat. Wow! I couldn't wait to see and express the wonders of this world online. Would it be worth it?. It sure will, at least my friends say so.
It was giving all the vibes— an atmosphere where I think I rightfully belong. A lot to feed the eyes, latest trends, talks and likewise gossip. It is an arena which keeps one especially a teenager like me abreast with all celebrities trends and all there is.
We just have to keep up with them all, it is called being in league. With time, it became an action I had to perform each day— Brian must have uploaded new pictures; it is Helena's birthday, I have to make a post to celebrate her.
“Yea, they are my friends and it is right for me to do this at least for our friendship” I would say to myself when it looks overboard.
“Yea, they are my friends and it is right for me to do this at least for our friendship” I would say to myself when it looks overboard.
Little by little, a hobby leveled up to a habit. I would spend hours scrolling through, chatting with people I have never seen, doing absolutely nothing. It was more of an addiction I must say; I would have to check, there should be something up, a comment to reply or picture of react.
You know what? The obsession never stops and it appears to be a power I had over my peers and social class but it had a stronger influence on me—it could do without me but can I?
PS: There are more than one million advantages of social media. People actually earn, advertise and what have you but take a break to ask yourself this: What power does it have over me?
Am I Giving more to it than Taking from it?. The answers to these questions is all you need.