My perspective
Photo by Alexander Shatov on Unsplash
Popularity is a drug, and so many of us are highly addicted to its potent appeal. — Henery X
Social Media
2022, Henery X ©
Social Media Introduction:
Having an online presence can be a good thing, on so many levels. You can find employment. You can launch a business. You can interact with people around the world. There’s no limit to what can be done via social media, but this shouldn’t mean we’ll do anything for recognition on its various platforms. We must never lose sight of the fact that social media is not a private setting, in fact, it’s arguably the most public place on the planet. Everything we do while on social media should be done to represent us accordingly. First impressions mean a lot and for some, they’re how people will be regarded from that point forward. So, with this being the case, always show up, to show out, in the most appropriate manner possible.
Impact of Social Media:
Positive
The greatest thing about social media is it allows us to connect with people all around the world, for free. Where else can you interact with six people, all in different states? Serious relationships have been established via social media, ones that may never have happened under different circumstances. In these times we’ve been forced to live in, communicating online is the most logical means to stay in touch with those we hold in high regard. Online interaction is social distancing at its finest and the best part, we don’t need to wear a mask to do it. Sure, there’s nothing like face-to-face interaction. To be able to hug someone you encounter for the first time of the day or shake their hand, that’s priceless. But wouldn’t you want to be able to see and hear someone you can’t touch, versus just being able to hear them? The verbal is good. Verbal and visual is better. This is what makes platforms like Zoom and Duo so popular during these uncertain times, being able to see who we’re talking to. The aforementioned platforms offer the closest thing to face-to-face interaction, which is vital, on so many levels.
Negative
Too much of anything can end up being a detriment, this includes social media. We must remember that life doesn’t revolve around us being online twenty-four seven. We can get so caught up in what Facebook and Instagram have to offer, that we lose sight of the fact we have so much to offer elsewhere ourselves. There should be time set aside for interacting online, and the said time should not exceed the limit. Even if we’ve decided we’re going to make a living via social media, there has to be a limited amount of time invested in doing so. We don’t spend all day at a regular 9 to 5 job, so why would we do so under any other circumstance. Too much time online can become addictive. We’ll look up and posting, scrolling, liking, and commenting will be all we’ll desire to do.
Social Media and Bullying
For the most part, bullies are hurt people, who don’t know how to ask for help, so they help themselves by hurting others. When it comes to bullying, no one is victimless. All involved need attention. Those being bullied need to be made to understand it’s not their fault and they have done nothing wrong. They need to know this issue shouldn’t stop them from loving, trusting, and believing in themselves, one hundred percent.
As for the bully, we need to stop and ask ourselves what could be the root cause of such behavior. Instead of deeming him/her a bad person, how about we look at it as though they’re a good person, who suffered through some terrible situations.
Condemning the bully isn’t the humane thing to do because it’s no better behavior than the bully’s. Two wrongs don’t make a right, just like more often than not, there’s never only one victim. We need to be willing to step into the bully’s shoes if we expect to come up with an overall effective solution, to a severe problem.
Social media is a perfect place to get to the bottom of bullying. Here, spaces can be created for chatting about solutions, be they verbal or written. Experiences can be shared, which will show others they’re not alone in their struggles. We must become the change we desire or begin to question our level of sincerity. True success is measured by how many lives we help change for the better.
Social Networking/Catfishing
To avoid being catfished via social networking, we should pay attention to consistency or lack thereof. Consistency is the key to all things, especially when it comes down to discovering the truth. If we’re dealing with someone online and they continue to make excuses why they can’t participate in a Zoom conference call or a DM video chat, but are steady sending text messages via DM, this is a sign we shouldn’t ignore. Seemingly difficult problems, usually have the simplest solutions. We should expect to get what we’re willing to give and what we give, should always be our very best. We don’t owe anyone anything but the true version of ourselves, and this is what we should expect to receive from others in return. Just pay attention to what people aren’t doing but should be doing, this goes for offline as well. When we understand what to look for, we won’t be misled by what people want us to believe. Like it’s easy to live the truth, it’s hard to live a lie. When people are lying they have to continuously keep thinking to keep the lie alive, this equates to a lot of hard work, which will eventually reveal what’s real.
In Closing
We can’t do anything about how others choose to use social media, but we have total control over how we choose to conduct ourselves on any given platform its responsible for. We should never lose sight of the fact that our lives beyond the small screen, are much bigger and better in the grand scheme of things. Have some fun, make some connections, and above all else, stay true to who you are.
Just because we’re a person, doesn’t mean we have to act like other people. We should never lose ourselves in the presence of others. If they can’t accept us for who we are, then we should ensure they experience the pleasure of our presence less. — Henery X
Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge my offering.
Remember. I’m not here to convince you to believe. I’m here to offer you something else to consider.
May we never lose our desire to outdo what we’ve already done.
Peace, Love, and the utmost respect.