I remember visiting a popular café in Canada where a sign caught my eye. It read, “We don’t have wifi. Let’s pretend it’s the 80s and talk to each other.”
At first, I was surprised and wondered if I could enjoy my time there without WiFi. But then, it made me think: is it really so hard to talk to the people around us?
Social media has made communication easier and brought the world closer. But don’t you think the same social media, meant to connect us, is also creating barriers and making us less social with those physically close to us?
Like everything, social media has both good and bad sides. We all know the positive aspects. During the difficult times of COVID-19, when the world was on pause, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp kept us updated. It helped us through a tough period. But let’s be honest, did we spend more time with our family or on Netflix and social media? That’s a harsh truth we need to face.
Our generation should realize the joy that comes from simple things like conversations with family members and spending quality time together. It’s time we understand the importance of socializing in person and limit our use of social media. After all, too much of anything can be harmful.
Facing the Reality of Virtual Connections
As teenagers, many of us find it hard to talk to people face-to-face but feel comfortable chatting with virtual friends. In the past, kids played outside with friends, which helped them socialize and stay healthy. Today, we see less of that. From a young age, we’re given devices with games that connect us to a virtual world that’s hard to leave.
Whether it’s a five-year-old child or a ninety-five-year-old grandparent, everyone seems to need their phone 24/7. Playing with neighbors is rare because we hardly know the families next door. This lack of physical play has affected our lifestyle and health. When we compare ourselves to older generations, they seem much more active than us.
Building a Better Community
Imagine if we lived in a close-knit community like those in some popular TV shows. Let’s make our community similar to that, where we talk to each other and don’t rely solely on social media to feel connected, spending time with our loved ones in this way.
Tips for Being More Social
- Start small: Begin by talking to your classmates.
- Share your feelings: Open up to people about how you feel.
- Adapt: Get used to your surroundings and the people in them.
- Limit screen time: Set a specific amount of time for using devices.
- Go out: Visit places with friends and family.
- Make new friends: Reach out and connect with new people.
By following these tips, we can nurture real, meaningful connections and make our lives richer and more fulfilling. Social media was created to bring us closer, but it’s up to us to ensure it doesn’t pull us apart from those who matter most.
However, as time goes by and considering the current trends, it seems our future might not be so bright. Despite all this, I sincerely hope that we will come to realize the true values and that in the future, we will socialize much more in person and less online.
