When we mean that our world today is going through a digital revolution through social media namely, it probably is the biggest revolution the human race has ever seen. But once seen as a tool for communication and knowledge, digital devices and relevant platforms are now driving a trend where people connect more on social media through these gadgets than with those around them.
To put this observation into numbers, nearly 94% of online population use social media which means social media alone connects about 65% of the global population. This outreach has made this platform tremendously useful.
Today, information can spread as quick as a live television programme. Recipes and travel tips are plentiful, and many people have begun to settle into the digital life.
This revolutionary technology has had people clinging to it for long hours. Social media provides humans the fuel they thrive on: instant validation, entertainment, and fodder for our increasingly short attention span.
Strangers across the continents have become dear while the few people we interact with are disregarded. Such has been the influence of this platform. However, this marvellous platform has brought perplexity and a certain paradox.
Social media today has caused addiction and in extreme cases emotional stress and even death through means of suicide. For many, social media has become a ranking system with many constantly sharing success through this means hoping that they will be recognized and considered successful. The hunger to compete and to publish ‘acceptable’ content and other related issues have led to fatalities that are rising every month.
Perhaps, our competitive spirit and a pressure to be a part of the bandwagon has made us choose thrill over safety. Online connections over non-WiFi connected friends.
The modern generation has been revolutionized. It has diverted our emotions and moral responsibility. But is it revolutionizing the definition of true friends and ethics?
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Credits for “The Social Media Paradox”
Cover Image Credits: https://bernardmarr.com/what-is-social-media-2-0-simple-explanation-and-examples/
Inside Image Credits: https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/social-medi
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