Confession time…I used to think like Dr. Cal Newport (TedxTalks) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E7hkPZ-HTk who pointed out in 2016 the unnecessity of social media in our lives and the fact that it was “nonsense.” Dr. Newport further went on to offer insightful advice that individuals should develop themselves as “rare and valuable” as well as focus on sharpening their skills to gain recognition. Dr. Newport was not too far off track when he identified the “ills” of social media including distracting addictive elements that cause ones’ focus to stumble, the enormous production of mental dysfunctions including anxiety, depression and inadequacies as well as forcing ones’ self into a less production unsuccessful state. Why do I mention this? I, like Dr. Newport, refused to have any type of social media account. And then… it happened and quite by accident.
While attempting to create a Facebook account for a client, I tested it by creating one for myself. It was a shocking disaster. Everyone from my past, present and those I am not sure where they came from, wanted to “befriend me!” I was discovered and while I protested verbally, secretly, within my being, I felt happy that someone reached out to me. This is how I became sucked into the social media “trend” and why I am incurably addicted today.
I’ve read statistics and data from the knowledgeable and distinguished Pew Research Center. There information about the trending social media from 2018-2019 seems so outdated and its only a few years old. It’s 2020 trends indicating that 72% of the U.S. public uses some type of social media may appear accurate, however, I would challenge those numbers as we have experienced a global pandemic and social media was the #1 medium to connect the world and provide information. Presently, social media shares info on best places to get tested and vaccinated. Personally, I wake up to my social media channels and go to sleep or my insomniac state exchanging conversation, information and the latest vids. I contend that administering another survey may uncover that nine out of ten adults in the U.S. use some type of social media especially during these uncertain times. Admittedly, we must make allowances for individuals who have chosen to go off the grid or simply do not have access to any social media.
What is my next stop on the social media train? Well, I am on Reddit who I love but I am just an observer of TikTok… content with hearing about what’s happening but haven’t jumped into that car; at least not yet.
Charlotte’s Wisdom 