I have always reminded my children that it is perfectly alright if they choose not to be “active” on social media. It is a personal choice and everyone has different ways of staying connected and informed. They do not have to be part of the trend to look “cool” to their friends. The idea that someone looks cool on social media is often influenced by curated images and posts, and it may not accurately reflect the reality of a person’s life. Go figure!
Social media platforms can be breeding grounds for misinformation and disinformation. Not everything shared is accurate, and some information may be intentionally misleading. There is no need to be jealous of others.
The truth is many people are not as happy as they appear on the surface. Instagram is often real life on steroids where all you see is the good times, manufactured poses and beautiful destinations.
Some people like to show off all the time. No one posts about their struggles, bad days or failures. Keeping up with the Joneses used to involve your neighbors, peers and co-workers. Now you can always compare yourself with the billions of people who are online all the time. Well, your true friends and those who appreciate you for who you are will value your authenticity beyond the realm of social media.
Social media is sometimes used to spread clickbait, sensationalism, and emotionally charged content (like the end of the world stuff) that may not be rooted in truth. I have come across a long article about the collapse of the dollar and America in 2024 (again). People tend to share content that supports their views or beliefs. This selective presentation can create a skewed perception of reality, as users may not be exposed to diverse opinions or facts.
Some social media posts may lack context, making it easy to misinterpret information. Relying solely on snippets of information can result in incomplete knowledge. I really hate this. Social media platforms may have fake accounts or impersonators spreading false information.
