Let's Talk About It: Social Media (Part 1)

We live in a time where technological mediums are becoming the primary forms of interpersonal connection. It’s an age of digital relations with constant exposure to others through various forms of social media. Now, I want to clarify that this is not some “anti-social media” rant, for those of you who, as I set this up, are waiting for some kind of hammer of judgment to drop in the midst of this blog. All I wish to do is present some observations and encourage us to consider some things as objectively as we can. But first, let me explain my background, since that plays a factor in how I process this topic.

I remember when I was in seventh grade I got an AOL instant messenger account. Viperexe9 was my username, if I remember correctly. Not the best of names as I look back, but oh well. As a shy, introverted young man, social media came along and seemed to even the social playing field in some ways. I wasn’t the best at going up and talking to people. So, social media became a place where I could rely on my written communication, which was much better than my verbal communication at the time. Especially when it came to talking with girls, when I was face to face I couldn’t say what I know I could write. I could be a romantic poet over AIM, but face to face I’d typically trip over my tongue or be unable to say much at all due to the nervousness that flooded my mind.

Myspace came next, which seemed to broaden the range of connections I could make. My “friends” grew in number and I could continue to rely on my abilities to type in a way that made me seem smoother and smarter than I could while talking. Then when I went to college, I got a Facebook account and my web of connections continued to grow. Today, we have a plethora of options, so many that I personally struggle to keep track of them all.

Now, as I’ve reflected on this personal journey of mine, and as I observe the lives and overall culture around me, there are a few things that I’d like for us to consider.

Number one: social media provides a unique opportunity to connect with people we otherwise could not. I know for myself, mediums like facebook and skype have allowed me to keep in touch with good friends and family members who at different times lived too far away for personal visits to be possible. So, I think we need to count that blessing and I don’t believe it's all bad. Although I know there is a lot of backlash against social media in general for different reasons, I think it's important we don't throw out the proverbial baby with the bathwater. However...

The second thing I've realized is that relationships formed through social media cannot effectively supplement for our needs as social beings. The reality is that we are social creatures that require direct interpersonal relationships in order to truly thrive as human beings. Understand, I say that as an introvert who would rather spend most of my time alone, but even I feel being long for direct connection with others regularly.  As a Christian, I believe that is a big part of how God has made us. Even scientific studies come to similar conclusions about our nature as social beings. If people are isolated from direct social interaction it affects them negatively emotionally, psychologically and can even have physiological repercussions as well.  Most commonly today, it can lead to a lack of basic social skills which are needed in order for someone to successfully function in society. Social media can give us the illusion of community, but it doesn’t sufficiently provide for our personal needs and doesn’t help us develop necessary social skills, at least as effectively as direct relationships do. So, although we may tend to prefer indirect contact with people at times because it seems "safer" and allows us to remain out of reach when relationships go south, in the midst of that, we actually deprive ourselves of opportunities to grow and receive what we need as social beings.

Thirdly and finally, social media grants every individual a sphere of influence.  With a few pressed keys and a click, every person with a social media account has the ability to influence other people in a way that was not possible before such mediums were invented. In the past, it was practically impossible for the average person to be able to present a message to a vast audience unless they went through the newspaper or radio which were typically reserved for political figures, celebrities, etc. Every person now has the power to impact potentially millions of people around the world with their words in a matter of seconds. The question is: what do we do with that power? And that’s a conversation we’ll dive into next time, so stay tuned as we continue to talk about it.