Is our dependence on social media networks positive for our health though, or is there a case to be made that over use of social media creates damaging levels of social isolation?
Social media has dramatically changed our ability to stay focused on what’s going on immediately around us and lets us “escape” and instantly go “elsewhere”.The potentially damaging effects of this social media use can be tied to the fear that we are addicted without actually realising it, feelings of loneliness are exacerbated by being online too much. As I see in many of my companions, while they are on their devices they are switched off and only focused on the virtual world, in many instances I have had to repeat sentences as they have not heard my announcement.
Although social media can allow people to maintain connections with family and good friends, it can also give us the misguided impression that we share the same connection with virtual strangers or passing acquaintances.Anyone can friend anyone, without ever actually having met in person. This can prove to be dangerous as social media has become a favoured place for predators of every kind!
The way social media sites are distancing people from each other include allowing us to read and look at pictures of people’s everyday lives that we no longer feel the need to personally be involved in their life. We are offered the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship. This leads to isolation and depression of all individuals because they don’t have any social interaction. They turn to social media because they desire to be connected to one another yet there are obstacles preventing this from happening.
By changing your daily routine to less than 2-hours on technology you began to be more social and it leaves more time for the things you love outdoors!
