Social media is extremely important these days. Many people in my age group may feel like they are even consumed by it. The problem with social media is that it is very easy to find yourself in a “transported state” when using it. For example, sometimes I sign onto whatever social platform I feel like using at that moment, and then before I know it, an hour has passed. This is possibly due to wanting to check on friends, but then also getting sucked into platforms “explore” or “trending” pages. These pages connect you with the most popular things that are occurring on whatever platform you are using. This can also be beneficial, as it can alert you of news that is currently happening that you wouldn’t have been aware of otherwise.
One of the biggest problems happening in the social media world these days is misleading content. Many people feel inadequate when looking at popular pages, especially on Instagram. This leads to low self esteem, body image issues, and an overall feeling of being “less than”. To combat this, young people must remember that what you see on social media is always only the best of that person’s life, and what they choose to share with their audience.
By improving our information processing, we can improve our social media experience. Finding meaning by in certain posts by using meaning construction can help this very superficial medium be used for good. There are many benefits that using social media can have on us. We can find people who have been through similar experiences, watch cooking/fitness videos to improve your health, or even learn about certain hobbies, like gardening or sports. We can also stay in touch with our friends we may not be in close distance to anymore. Overall, I think social media’s benefits still outweigh its’ risks and downfalls.
Maddie Cutler's Blog 