Social Media: A Storm Without Any Warning

The thumbnail of this post has a Caution sign put up for social media, but in real life, there is no such warning issued to us.

Let’s talk about what exactly is happening right now. There was a time when we would say that activities on social media are on a ‘rise’. Well, currently it looks like social media is more like a tornado that is so powerful that it alone has the power to create or destroy anyone. While the positivity and motivation gurus are a blessing for many, it is high time we start highlighting how social media is a catalyst in eroding the mental peace of many and stop normalizing the same, just because of someone’s popularity. Here are three points which are reasons enough for us, as responsible humans, to raise our voice in the right direction and for the right person:

Social Media, yet again in the news:

Did you know that recently, a teen committed suicide just because majority people voted a ‘Yes’ when she carried out a poll on her Instagram handle, asking if she should die. It is rather shocking that Instagram even let her carry out this poll. While the insensitive people who cyber-bullied the girl by voting ‘Yes’ are definitely in the wrong, the question is where are Instagram’s user content policies and why are they not in check? In the first place, how can this company go on and on about the importance of sensitivity and kindness where it itself is an example of hypocrisy by doing nothing to prevent the sharing of such polls.

The need to prioritize:

Clearly in the recent times, something more alarming than Global warming and other environmental problems are controversies between YouTubers (not naming any, as it is necessary) and remaking seasons of some series by bringing together to sign a petition. Do not recollect the last time this same enthusiasm was shared for some crucial matter, because obviously issues like Alabama’s abortion ban is not something of significance that ACTUALLY requires support of the masses.

Addressing 'Influencers':

Somehow, I am more tired of dealing with their hypocrisy, than they would be of editing their content. Stereotypes are not made out of thin air. They are by the people, for the people. While many influencers are doing their bit of promoting genuine and positive content, we can see so many others reinstilling stereotypes specially about conventional ‘acceptable’ beauty standards. The need to look ‘perfect’, to please ‘society’, a sophisticated term for strangers who shouldn’t be bothered by our will to live life the way we want to, has been engrained in the next generation, no matter how some influencers are actually trying to fight against these traditional beauty standards. The problem is that many influencers do not really represent what they preach.

Be it the whole need to show conformity to the latest trends, the insensitivity displayed through trolling, comments and rude comments and answers to polls is normalized, or how important matters are kept aside for spreading more of Hollywood showbiz news, things do call for a change. Let's hope there are movements for greater causes and that social media serves as a medium for the right, not the wrong.