With the progression of technology, came the invention of the “beast” that our life literally relies on. I think now philosophers will have to include social media in the 3 things necessary for survival. Social media has such a pervasive presence in our life such that it shapes and influences us to become the person we are. It has changed our ways of connecting, communicating, and perceiving the world.

In earlier times it used to be so hard to even talk to people living in the same city as us but now here we are sitting on calls talking to our loved ones even miles away. It has enabled us to meet new people and build relationships. Social networking is an effective tool for maintaining professional and personal networks efficiently. WhatsApp and Instagram are used for informal talking and advertising whereas LinkedIn is used for professional use, finding employment opportunities, and networking with people with the same professional background as you. Social Media functions as a reservoir of information which gives us instant updates on current events, news, and foreign affairs. Twitter spreads swift news feeds and gives access to the latest news. Whilst increasing knowledge it also creates awareness about the things happening around and encourages people to participate in current issues. Hashtags are used to magnify social movements and support the victims. The biggest example of this is the Israel and Palestine conflict. A lot of brands who support Israel have been canceled by the public and they continue to spread their opinions via stories, comments, and tweets. Social media holds so much power that it could not only build a newcomer but also destroy the career of a world-famous star. If one video by an influencer goes viral, they could gain millions of followers whereas if they mess up or make a wrong move they could get canceled and their career would end. It’s the best advertisement platform and the best thing about it is that it’s totally free of cost so the PR team has to think about the most unique ideas to keep their fame going. Balancing privacy and online presence in social media presents an ever-changing dilemma. Despite the vast opportunities for connection and self-expression, all the users have to think twice before finding a common ground in what they’re comfortable in posting. It is important to protect personal information and safeguard their privacy. Everyone should learn to adjust to their online interaction. If it can spread awareness, it also holds the power to spread hate, false rumours, and wrong news. It shapes and conveys the personal identity of individuals. Users build their profiles on the basis of their interests, daily life, and values. It helps in express our aspirations and beliefs through stories and posts. It helps in express ourselves and connect with like-minded people to explore their hobbies further and feel like they belong in a particular community. It’s a pathway for people to embrace their passions. Social Media also serves as an educational resource which provides learning opportunities through platforms like YouTube and Instagram which host tutorials, online courses, videos, and classes. All of this can range from DIY projects, to learning new languages, makeup, or performing arts.

Social Media addiction shapes human behaviour. Connectivity, validation, and dopamine rush through likes, notifications, and posts have a huge role in the addicting qualities of social media. This gives a boost to their self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy but the yearning for positive feedback keeps everyone attached their hips to their phones. Having an addiction can lead to distraction, procrastination, and a lack of interest in daily chores. It loses our focus and comes in the way of completing our work. It has the potential to destroy work-life balance as well. One should set breaks and time limits in terms of usage of social media. We should set boundaries and build healthy relationships by controlling notifications and having phone-free gatherings and engagements with our loved ones. It’s important to remember that social media is a part of our lives, not our entire lives.

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