It's simple to believe that social media has transformed our capacity for relationship-building, communication, and compassion. But has communication really increased as a result of this convenience? Despite being more connected, we are not as involved.
Unquestionably, social media has changed the way we communicate, but it frequently encourages shallow communication. We trade likes, emojis, and brief comments in place of lengthy discussions and meaningful friendships. These quick exchanges might help us stay in touch with a lot of people, but they don't have the emotional depth and complexity that deep connections need. Consider how frequently real discussions are replaced by group chats or social media posts, for example.
Social networking is utterly devoid of the feeling of emotion or serenity that results from finally seeing and hugging an old friend or relatives. In a 2021 study conducted at Prince Sattam bin Abdul aziz University in Saudi Arabia, researchers discovered that excessive usage of social media has a detrimental impact on students' in-person communication, family ties, friendships, and social interactions. Furthermore, an excessive reliance on social media can have a detrimental effect on the quality of time spent, lead to conflict, and lower relationship satisfaction.
People's attention spans have decreased due to the widespread use of Facebook and other social media. These days, we want to read brief updates, see a lot in a short period of time, and obtain information fast. Facebook's popularity of brief postings and status updates has made individuals less inclined to mentally prepare for patiently reading lengthy texts. Stories, novels, and research writing demand a level of focus that is incompatible with Facebook's scrolling culture. Our attention spans are short now because of social media. As a result, reading material that requires a lot of concentration is becoming less common. One of the main causes of our waning book reading habits is social media.
Nowadays, a smartphone screen functions similarly like a supermarket. There are numerous ads that are circling the screen. These commercials, whether direct or indirect, instill an unrealistic notion in our minds. Our online shopping cart contains something that is completely out of our essential needs and may not even be on our list of hobbies. This can be the result of persistent marketing, alluring deals, or glitzy incentives like free shipping.
Social media users' buying patterns are influenced by their social media lives in this era of excessive consumerism. According to a recent Bankrate.com study, sponsored advertisements influence over half of social media users to make impulsive purchases. Ads on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are preventing people from feeling happy in addition to making their wallets lighter. Approximately one-third of consumers or users experience financial distress, which negatively affects their mental health.
A lot of people complained about their financial situation. Because they use different social media posts to compare their lifestyles to that of others and constantly monitoring other people's actions on the newsfeed screen leads to this comparison mentality. Social media's layout solely highlights the positive facets of a user's life. This medium has evolved into a large roadside billboard. Every update, photo, and post has an ongoing impact on a user. It’s possible that social media was created primarily to facilitate human connections.
However, it is normal to wonder if this socialization is beneficial when it goes too far or produces irrational expectations. The younger generation of today has either grown up with social media or has witnessed its expansion. As a result, their effect is far greater than that of any other age group. Those who are currently youngsters and teenagers are still affected.
They are being introduced to social media much before their time by phones or other devices that are given to them at a very young age. From there, they develop irrational expectations about money that may not be attainable in reality. They are experiencing discontent at a very young age. It has an impact on their mental health.
In conclusion, social networking sites that were supposed to strengthen our bonds have really distanced us from one another. We must value in-person contacts and make investments in the quality of our relationships rather than accepting the shallow exchanges that social media promotes. We should take care that our interpersonal communication, financial and emotional comfort are not affected in any way.
Writer: Md. Anwar Imam, is Deputy Secretary pursuing MPA at BIGM
BDST: 2039 HRS, NOV 25, 2024
MSK
