First Day of Class

Today in class we watched an interesting TED talk about the possible psychological impacts that social media platforms are having on society. The speaker suggested that social media causes us to hide from each other because when we interact through social media we don't actually express our true selves. She suggested that social media seems to satisfy peoples loneliness but the reality is that we are still ever lonely when we solely interact digitally through social media.

I really like that we talked about the psychological impacts social media is having on society because it begs to ask, “how is social media effecting me?” which I think is a question deserving much attention as we are frequently required to use social media at one time or another. I wonder how vulnerable I am to its negative effects and how well I’m taking advantage of its positive advantages.

What I also find is interesting is that social media is decreasing the amount of time we spend by our selves, doing nothing but just thinking in our own body and mind. I find myself becoming more uncomfortable with being able to be content with meditating on my own. There seems to be an increasing urge to look at my phone to connect to someone digitally or search up some new information. Surely there is good mental health in being content with just yourself.

 We also spoke in class of Facebook’s future and if it is here to stay. Some class members suggested that one reason why teens may not use Facebook as much is because they don’t want to connect with their parents and such. I thought that was an interesting thought and somewhat agree to that.