It ' s Time to Unplug... Alexia Written
Benefits of Human Contact vs Social Media connection and are satisfied with technology.
I believe social media was created to bring people together. Whatever your likes, dislikes or interests, likeminded individuals exist and are probably looking to connect as well. Social Media gave people worldwide a voice and a platform to be heard, but as with all positive inventions a little negative will follow. Somewhere along the way things started to change. The mechanism originally designed to be the ultimate unifier began to disconnect us … one app at a time.
Technology has created an endless gateway to entertainment at our fingertips. Unlike a movie or a T. V show, social media never turns off. Therefore it is easy to indulge endlessly. We live in an age where we spend so much time on social media we forget how to enjoy spending time alone or with those who are most important. When was the last time you witnessed a family at dinner where everyone was engrossed in their cell phones? The problem is increasing, but it doesn’ t stop there. Our nonstop access to social media affects us emotionally as well because our“ friends” are allowed to edit their lives to make themselves appear more attractive, well-traveled and desirable.
A life that is editable is favorable over a natural life. Growing up we are often taught not to believe everything we see on TV. However, a global study by the Lab Kaspersky stated that 60 % of social media participants feel jealous of someone supposedly having a better life than them. Witnessing the vacation photos of a friend frolicking on the beach generates jealousy and competitiveness, studies show. This constant attachment to someone else’ s life can make viewers, with seemingly less glamorous lives, feel sad, lonely and less than. It could even lead to a bout of depression and self-isolation.
Imagine the super model Naomi Campbell being jealous of Barbie. Barbie is an artificial toy. It is one person’ s vision of beauty. It is not real nor does it grow. It does not have life experiences. Barbie is a manufactured lump of plastic and if it had a social media presence, it would be entirely fabricated; yet, there are those who would fixate on Barbie’ s perfect life. Though this analogy might be farfetched, more than half the participants on social media experience feelings of inadequacy based on someone else’ s fabricated life. Most of the pictures and video clips you see on social media are editable and it’ s important to keep that in mind.
Over the years I enjoyed watching all of my uncles and aunts and my parents go to their high school reunions. I dreamt of what my reunion would look like reconnecting with old friends and hearing about their lives. Well my classmates and I never had one and I can only assume it was because there was no need to“ catch-up”. We never stopped seeing each other thanks to social media. Few people really feel the need to have more than a Facebook high school group. With social media you can know personal information about someone’ s life without personally talking to them. There are some who no longer value the personal
Meeting up with friends and human interaction as a whole is vitally important. It is extremely healthy for our bodies, and our minds. Human contact helps us to bond with one another and helps us to develop compassion for our fellow man. A hug, for example, is just one of the many ways we can keep human contact alive. It is scientifically proven that hugs keep us healthy, happy and balanced. When two people hug the hormone called oxytocin is released in the body. This creates a warm fuzzy and safe feeling inside. This element is so important in order to create bonds with one another. Hugging is known to lower blood pressure. It is proven to decrease fears and feelings of loneliness, according to DePauw, University psychologist Mat Hertenstien. Hugs are a natural stress reliever. It reduces the amount of cortisol hormone in your body and gets rid of tension. It sends calming signals to the brain and social media robs us of those benefits. Social media is also equipped to talk for us so we don’ t have to.
It has created generic responses for us that simplify our true feelings. There are hundreds of emotions we humans have but through social media our emotions are reduced to emoji’ s, symbols and abbreviations.
When my nephew was in kindergarten he would not say the word“ yes”. Instead he would respond with a‘ thumbs up’. We got a note from the teacher saying we need to encourage him to use his words so as not to cause communication problems in the future. The habit of being nonverbal is becoming a normal part of society. Each year there is a decline in phone calls due to social media. Today, 31 % of parents are more likely to text their children before calling their children. Families, spouses, friends, coworkers... etc. are more likely to choose texting over verbal communication. Many people only text or email and dislike talking overall. Talking brings clarity and lessens the chance of being misunderstood. Talking helps to sort through things and helps us to come up with solutions. Verbal communications with one another helps to build friendships and trust in a way that cannot be recreated through social media.
Now imagine living in a world where the only function of a cell phone is to make emergency contact, where tablets are obsolete, where computers are only used for writing assignments and research. Can you see your loved ones playing board games together, having enlightening conversations around real subject matter, making a spontaneous phone call to that friend you haven’ t seen in over twelve years and meeting up for coffee? I invite you to put down the device and be present. Slow down before this fast paced society passes you by. Hug a neighbor, get to know a stranger, live life through your own experiences and embrace your individuality. Together we can heal the population of depression, loneliness, and many other rising mental / physical health issues using only what was given to us at birth. It’ s time to step away from the screens; it’ s time to unplug.