I’ve had a love hate relationship with social media over the years. My first introduction to social media was Facebook, like many people my age. I was somewhat late to joining Facebook because my dad wouldn’t let me, so I went behind his back and did it anyway. I was never super active on Facebook, but I would occasionally post a picture or leave a comment, which after going back and reading them I really regret. Facebook got me familiar with social media, so when I got Instagram I knew the deal. Instagram is my favorite social media “platform.” If you see me on my phone chances are I’m scrolling through Instagram.

Social media, for the most part, is helpful and useful, but it definitely causes false pretenses and “addiction” if you will. I don’t really have a problem with the first one. I don’t post often, so when I do it’s usually a picture that means something and not just a ploy for “likes” or “followers.” Of course I want people to like what I post, but I’m not the kind of person to let it dictate what I do. I do, however, suffer from social media addiction. It’s not so much that I’m posting a lot, it’s more of me just scrolling through my feed or looking on Instagram’s explore page or reading funny tweets on twitter.  I’m constantly getting in trouble for going over my data limit because I’m usually on my phone looking at social media.

I don’t think social media was created with the thoughts in mind. I think it was created to make the modern world more accessible and have a fun way to communicate with others, but overtime it has turned into something that needs to be managed. I think as long as you realize it is a virtual world and doesn’t define you or your time then it is something that can be enjoyed and used properly.