“According to a recent survey conducted by an independent organization, two men were reported dead and several were seriously harmed by the severe shortage of ‘internet supply’ in an unidentified area.”
This news might seem quite exaggerated at the moment; however, with the increased dependence on technology, specifically the portable gadgets responsible for connecting people, this headline might not appear as a shock to the masses.
While the advanced search engines, ads, cookies, and suggestions have successfully attempted to “assimilate or integrate” the entire world, there is another side of this technology which holds equal gravity and cannot be turned a blind eye towards. The dismaying repercussions of the increased dependence on social media have been highlighted to serve as an eye-opener.
”WHERE IS MY PHONE?”
Don’t be surprised, this is usually the first and the most frequently occurring question in absence of the prestigious gadget, irrespective of time and place.
It was a nice time with my family!
Time is a precious gift and families know its importance better than anyone. The kids cannot be held culpable alone for being reserved and engaged; with the increased interest of parents and other members of the family engulfed by social technology, they are equally responsible in exacerbating the already worsened situation.
The average daily time spent on social media is 142 minutes a day. And here we speak about normal users, let alone the ones addicted to it. Concept of spending time with your old parents, visiting a bed ridden relative, or having a healthy conversation with your kids asking them “how was your day?” (While Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp handle 60 billion messages a day) is carried away by the so-called notion “Time is money”.
Surprisingly, the world is more inclined towards providing convenient internet services to its inhabitants than saving them from hunger via providing food. As per the record, 3.5 billion people- which makes 45 percent of world’s population- are social media users. Whereas, (to quote with utter disappointment) 09 million people die every year due to hunger according to the international relief agency Mercy Corps.
Privacy? What privacy?
The concept of privacy seems outdated nowadays as the world moves towards marginalizing this idea in the purview of globalization. Moreover, the people have developed a habit of posting and “checking in” at any place one could think of, literally any place! While the social portals have also been accused of breaching the privacy of the users, the numbers of users increase by the minute as I write and you read.
Real versus Online friends!
Well, the concept of fame and popularity has enormously changed from conventional factors to the number of followers, friends, likes, tweets, comments, and posts.
Moreover, even the basic idea of playing has been adulterated as “online is the new game.” Similarly, the irony between online friends versus real friends, who actually show up when needed, remains a thought-provoking question for many.
Nature? Do you mean wallpaper?
Whether we admit it or not, but one can clearly witness the enormous difference between the times when parents were worried about their kids of reaching home when they got late, contrary to now when parents are worried about their kids for at least seeing the sunshine outside. Likewise, the gathering, outing, sightseeing and exploring the beauty of nature has taken a nosedive.
The psychological and mental traumas!
Owing to the deluded and hypnotizing traps of some users who hold the expertise of encompassing and blackmailing the less aware ones, the gush in the cases of psychological and mental traumas is one of the most noteworthy aspects to be mentioned. Not only does this evil trap hold the potential of ruining all sorts of relationships, but the situation is also further aggravated when this leads to the worst possible situation of deeming “suicide” as the only viable option.
Social Acceptance: Do I stand on the perceived standards?
It is crystal clear beyond a shred of a doubt that today, we compare our own lives with the people – as they portray on social media – no matter how superficial. This comparison has led the majority to adopt unprecedented ways in order to impress the people who might least matter but their opinion don’t hold enough ground to alter their lifestyles completely. They travel to show people, they talk to impress people henceforth, every act is fueled by an impetus to show-off, or to pretend to be better than the other out of envy and desperation. The virtual world of social-media, and its excessive reliance is losing our grip from the reality.
As one rightly said:
“Another day.
How long are you gonna scroll down?
Semicolon
Smile”
The Writer is an Award-winning Educationist in Pakistan