What is social media? Why is it so important to our world? Factually, social media is a noun that refers to the means of interaction amongst people in which they create, share, and/or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities. However, while this is its meaning in unadorned specific terms, it is not as simple as it may seem. It's true impacts and capability are misunderstood to a level so extreme that self-inflicting harm is evoked subconsciously.  Social media is having and will continue to have crippling effects on the world. In the definition itself the word ‘virtual’ is utilised, only exacerbating that real life is dead and social media holds the smoking gun.  

 

 

An overwhelming majority of individuals spend two or more hours a day on social media and thus I am certain that anything we do for this long, anything we pay this much attention to has an everlasting effect on us, whether we notice it or not. It is time to step into realisation and observe that social media has become a costume and disguise for individuals who fear an endeavour into real life. Fake illusions overpower and cascade into reality, provoking a blockade of confusion between what is fantasy and what is actuality. This is all symptomatic of the ease in creating a fake forefront. There is no longer a need to fulfil and achieve desires or goals because staging and photoshop can make it appear that you have with the click of a button. It is with great regret that two separate worlds have been designed, one in which who you are is present and one in which who you want to be is present. Observations will show you that social media strives to stimulate a succession of artificial stimulation that hinders one's satisfiability in the real world. This online system has become a vitality and therefore is seen as more important than that of the living world, resulting in increasing disconnection from each other. Since the significant rise in popularity of social media, mental health problems have been an exhausted concern in the demographic of children and young adults. The rate of adolescents reporting symptoms of major depression each year has increased by 52% from 2005 to 2017. This statistic cannot be ignored. Serious disorders and problems are not only evidence for the destructive forces of the media, but they are also things to mourn. These are people's lives. While individuals may not be physically injured their minds are disfigured. In the advancing progression of science, we have the knowledge that this online platform is negatively causing detrimental harm, yet we continue. We compare our behind the scenes struggles to others’ broadcasted facilities in life. We compare our failures and mistakes to others’ successes and achievements. We compare our downs and moments of sorrow to others’ bests and moments of contentment. This is wrong. Fantasy and reality have become so intertwined that we can no longer distinguish a difference. It cannot be exaggerated enough that this online imaginary world is a delusion and therefore if oneself tries to be something that is not real, they will fail every time because it is impossible. Social media is not like our world. It is perfect. It is how we wish the world was. 

 

 

Despite the tiresome and draining aspects of social media, most individuals encase themselves in all its toxicity. The reason for this is addiction. Like gambling, drugs and alcohol, social networking lures many into an attachment from which they cannot escape. According to research from the University of Michigan, an estimated 210 million people worldwide suffer from addiction to social media. Everything that was once important is now buried, leaving an unnavigable ocean of unorganised priorities. Multiple individuals endure a life of chaos because they feel there are benefits to social media. One of these is involved in the concept of a new upcoming social currency. Individuals have become the products on the shelves of social media stores, with likes, shares and comments completing a transaction. How people decide to market and advertise their character in posts consequently determines how fast they will sell and thus how popular they are. Forget the real economic system, value is provided through an obsession with image. It is despairing that our earth operates on the very concept that this is normal. It is absurd that our lives are blinded to the unhealthy online lifestyles we lead. It is inconceivable that our future is heading towards electronic isolation. It is vital that you make alterations because it is undoubtedly presumable that if change doesn't come life will leave.  

 

 

You may believe social media is one of the most fundamental technologies of the 21st century and to reject its creation would be an act of extreme refute. To this I would protest that you are wrong. These social platforms are not the central foundation to the system of life but instead are entertainment products which utilize your interests to create personalized feeds. The very idea that so many individuals feel social media should be regarded as significantly important proves and solidifies its power as people do not know how to operate without it. It should not be a lifeline for survival but rather a rare pleasure to be used infrequently. You may believe social media is vital to your success in the 21st century economy and if you do not have a well cultivated social media brand little opportunity will present itself. Again, I would protest that you are wrong. Markets value individuals' skills and abilities, not fake information that is easy to replicate by anyone. It is essential that you understand that our fellow humanity is brain wired into concepts that do not aid our ability. This is an epidemic. 

 

Social media. A word we all know. A platform most use. A programme no one understands.