My generation are prime social media magnets. From opening our eyes, exhausted, at the crack of dawn, desperate to see which messages we haven't read all the way to heading to bed, project procrastination in mind, young people cannot get off technology. This includes me. While I am trying to limit my social media time, especially in the morning, it's impossible not to take a quick glance at twitter, gazing my eyes over what significant events may have taken place in the last seven hours.
This isn't just the case with young people. Though we are the predominant users of phones, I'm sure, with the amount of jobs involving some technological awareness, the average middle-aged individual frequently checks their phone. You've either got a trendy, urban job in the bright lights of the metropolitan capital, requiring permanent orders of decaf coffee, or a spot in the serene, awe-inspiring British countryside (I'm thinking The Archers, Countryfile) which requires endless contact with family and friends miles away. Until robots take over our lives, performing tasks we humans are perfectly capable of, I will always continue to believe technology is a huge force for good. The ability to communicate worldwide on social media, admiring photos from places one could only dream of visiting. When awful, horrific natural disasters or terrorist attacks strike, the speed at which people are informed and able to get away is astronomical. Never has it been easier to keep in touch, never has there been a better time to be alive! Except, as you've probably guessed, I continue to be extremely critical of technology, especially social media. We can spend so much time communicating online that we forget to communicate in real life. Humans spend so much time gazing at their phones that they forget to look at what is in front of them. As people will be aware across the Western world, attacks and disasters can quickly be fabricated, an unconfirmed rumour spreading across the internet before the true situation has even been investigated. Yet we show no sign of giving up our phone soon or indeed, ever. As people who follow me on Instagram may already know, I spent my half term in Spain. It was my third time in the stunning city of Toledo and, around 18 months ago, I wrote a detailed account of my time there. Yet, on previous occasions, while I had been out of the country, my prescence on social media maintained. I continued to write tweets, read the day's news, watch YouTube videos and put my photos of a stunning location on Instagram. This time, I wanted to do something different. If a person can't take time off the internet on holiday, when can they? So that is what I did. From the evening before our flight, my eyes were off the phone and TV. I had no idea what was going on in the world. From minor political briefings, noticed only by the Westminster village most of the time to full on war, I had no clue, no knowledge of events shaping the world. While there was wi-fi where I was staying, I opted-out. Every morning, while I'll admit there was a small inkling inside me, desperate to know if Theresa May was still Prime Minister, I kept away, distracted by a whole array of wonderful activities. Half terms become so much more rewarding when there is lots to do. The ability to just turn off from the world of college and day-to-day life becomes so enjoyable. Upon return home it made me extremely grateful, having had that time of not needing to worry about anything. Had I stayed on my phone, it may have felt like I was still in the UK. As I've said, the internet makes up a large part of my day. Had I been tweeting away; the same levels of teenage and educational stress may have still been there. Yet, by forgetting everything, being blissfully ignorant if you will, I had a wonderful time. We attended a carnival mourning the death of a sardine (I know – me neither). We climbed rocks, ate exquisite food, shopped Spanish style. I read marvellous books, that were both pleasurable and for college work. All together we gathered to watch Finding Nemo and a classic Miss Marple, no desire to tweet about our favourite part or take a photo of the DVD case. Without social media, there was nobody to overly impress. Impressions, and impressing those who follow us, is surely a key part of social media. I've done it. We each have followers, whether they be college friends or random people, we wish to awe with our daily lives. Nobody wants to lose followers. While I am in a tiny minority of young people who uses Instagram only as a personal photo album, not caring whatsoever about the quality of images, that isn't the case for many others. People spend so much time pretending to be the people they are online that they gradually believe they are leading this lifestyle of wonder. When they come to terms with the truth themselves, everything falls apart. Is it any wonder mental health problems are on the rise among young people? Roughly 1 in 10 children will be affected by a mental health problem, a shocking amount. However, the Mental Health Foundation report the number of those experiencing mental health problems has risen over the last 30 years. While this could be due to greater recognition and the declining stigma of mental health issues, which can only be positive, the case of social media playing its part is clear. A study by Glasgow University found those who stayed on social media late at night were more likely to suffer from stress and anxiety, worries about 'missing out' on key events if they weren't available 24/7 online. God. How an Earth did our ancestors live? Were they constantly with their friends? Or were they actually able to say goodbye and spend time away from each other. Statistics show 80,000 children and young people are affected by depression, with 2% of children under 12 experiencing depression. Some research even suggests the UK has the highest self-harm rate in Europe. I repeat my point. I am not saying that overuse of social media is the only cause of mental health issues among young people. However, even in 2001, the year I was born (I know, that was yonks ago), the Guardian reported 9 out of 10 children under the age of 16 in Britain have a phone. If that was the figure over half a decade before the first version of iPhone was released, it must be astronomical today. In the life of a child or teenager, a phone and social media will play its significant part, leading to happiness, stress and heartbreak. Social media will remain a part of our lives for the foreseeable future. Why shouldn't it? It's been proven that certain social media platforms are popular among millions, even billions, and they should remain, so people can continue to use them. Bravo. All I am arguing for is an occasional break from all the phone staring, photo liking and snap sending would do no harm. Taking just a week away to fully admire the stunning world we are all privileged to live in every once in a while would allow people to enjoy their surroundings, engage with people and return to technology with a renewed, updated sense of protecting our planet and being a beacon of positivity online.
1 Comment
Shadow Tea Talks
26/2/2018 17:04:09
Hello my other half. I am known as Shadow Tea Talks. However, you may refer to me as Shadow. You may be wondering where I came from, well I will inform you... Remember the one Coffee Talks video you uploaded? When you drank the coffee, a divide occurred within you. Two separate entities were created; Tea Talks, and me (Shadow Tea Talks). I am your evil counterpart if you will, birthed from the negative energy you subconsciously produced when your taste-buds came into contact with coffee instead of tea. We will meet again, shortly...
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