Are we consuming social media, or is it consuming us?
A discussion on the issues that surface on social media—and the importance of confronting them.
The culture of judgment on social media
By Juhi Kosamia
TikTok’s success arguably relies on oversharing with an audience that is eager to pry. Being in the spotlight on TikTok can be as haunting as it is rewarding. For example, the white boy of the month explores an internet-wide obsession with celebrity crushes by TikTok users. Meanwhile, the couch guy received hate from users who made assumptions about a man cheating on his girlfriend.
The controversy of the couch guy started when a college student posted a video of surprising her long-distance boyfriend in his apartment. In the clip, the boyfriend—nicknamed “couch guy”—is sitting on the couch with three other women when his girlfriend walks in. Many users accused him of not showing enough excitement and instead provoked a muted and awkward interaction as he slowly got up to hug his girlfriend.
Such a reaction was subjected to a massive wave of criticism. The couch guy was labelled as a cheater. His reaction was repeatedly parodied, as people continued to demand that the couple break up.
On the other hand, the girlfriend was painted as a victim of an unhealthy relationship. Where many claimed her boyfriend had no interest in her and secretly hated her.
As we can imagine, being on the receiving end of the video is not a pleasant experience. And the public’s reaction was probably not what the girlfriend expected.
This controversy shows the problem in assuming a person’s character and relationship from a single recorded moment. As it takes away the private persona that we all have behind the internet.
For example, the couch guy didn’t know he was being recorded and that millions online were expecting a certain reaction from him. But he had to face the overwhelming amount of criticism just from a couple of seconds of his body language, and how it meant he didn’t love his girlfriend.
In an age saturated with media and information, it is important to recognize that online videos rarely capture the full essence of a person. Reducing individuals to labels based on brief snippets of their lives is neither accurate nor fair.
Overexposure to content has desensitized people. Many would leave inconsiderate comments and cross boundaries just to be entertained. To change this situation, we should confront and discuss the boundaries of online behaviours.
You need to breathe, and reboot
By Deja Gordon
It’s 12 a.m. and you’re tired, but you don’t want to sleep yet. You’re scrolling in search of the next thing that grabs your attention—does this scene sound familiar?
Social media played a significant role in my summer. It took up more of my summer than I’d like to admit. But it undeniably provided me with entertainment.
For example, Instagram directed me to the Netflix show Forever. And thanks to its advertisement on my mom’s device, it also led my whole family to GloblJam, a basketball event that takes place in Toronto and is held in August.
I’ve also found various restaurants and recipes to try on social media. In fact, the other day, my mom asked me to pick up some pistachio spread because she wanted to make the viral Dubai chocolate.
As we can see, social media can be inspiring. However, its downside can be very consuming. For one, it is not uncommon to succumb to the habit of doomscrolling on social media, especially before bed. And before you know it, a few hours have gone by. When this becomes a habit, it can be very time-consuming and mentally draining.
Aside from that, the lines between social media and real life can be blurry at times, which can affect our self-perception and values if we’re not being mindful. It is crucial to remember that not everything on social media is real. Because there is so much information on social media, both real and fake, it is our responsibility as users to apply critical thinking and filter the information that we see.
It’s not uncommon to encounter nasty corners on social platforms. For instance, I’ve found myself enjoying certain content, only to find the content creator was ripped to shreds by the comments.
These instances unveil the boldness that comes with anonymity on social media. The benefit of being able to hide one’s identity has emboldened people to say disrespectful things on social media without hesitation. If these conversations were held in person, many would likely never say such disrespectful things.
In this way, social media can hinder people from developing the tact necessary for human interaction.
That said, don’t let the downside of social media stop you from reaping its benefits. Whether you’re using it for entertainment or educational purposes, with sufficient awareness, social media can be a healthy, informative platform.
As we get ready for another school year, remember to take breaks from social media. Set your phone aside, meet up in person with friends, and touch grass, if you will.
Tonight, when the clock strikes 12 a.m., turn off your phone and go to bed. You’re not missing out on anything. All the social media content will still be there.
