The Impact of Social Media upon Individuals

Does social media really expand one’s creative state and thinking? Do people truly utilize their time wisely?

Together as a group we were interested in finding out how much time individuals are spending on social media, but also the primary reasoning behind their interactions and usage within the social media platform. Because of our curiosity and interest, we spent some time interviewing a wide variety of individuals that immerse themselves within social media. We asked these individuals four main questions that were vague and open to one’s interpretation. The questions gave us a platform to which we could expand our thoughts and compose a conclusion from the statements that we received.

[embed]This a video that we created, taking the interviews of different individuals and asking them about their use of social media.

First Question:

“When you are on social media, what is your purpose?”

Combining all of the interviewee’s statements, many if not all verbalized that they go on social media to “waste time.” It is clear to see that these individuals are choosing to misuse their time on social media instead of productivity — without this being academically oriented. Instead, these individuals could utilize their time through a social platform to academically thrive through civic and social engagement.

Second Question:

“How much time do you spend on social media (daily/weekly)?”

A GIF emphasizing the constant “scrolling” on social media.

Through this question, we received a wide variety of answers in the amount of time that these individuals spend on social media platforms. The answers varied between one to ten hours of daily usage — sometimes varying on the day and the emotions of said user. The time is evidently “wasted” on unproductive use of social platforms that abandons any creative aspects of an individual.

Third Question:

“What does most of your feed consist of?”

A GIF referencing dancing; what the two girls are interested in.

Our interpretation of “feed” is the content that is populating one’s social networks. What we found is that most of the content that one’s social media consists of is an emphasis on personal interests and or purpose. This is interest powered, shared purpose, and production centered. Using social platforms to expand in one’s goals and talents are the interest powered drive, that many of the individuals that we interviewed use themselves. In particular, two of the girls that go to a dance school said that most of their content that they see on social media consists of dancing. They both use social media platforms to promote and share their progress and events all circling around dance. By promoting their involvement in the dance community, they produce cultural media that is connected within the shared interest of other individuals.

Fourth Question:

“How do you feel about such individuals that post unauthentic content that is “represented” of themselves?”

The opinions of the interviewed individuals were incoherence with the relation to themselves in providing the same unauthentic content on social media platforms. Some interviewees stated that they didn’t appreciate that others do not post real-life content about their lives. Social networks invite participation amongst individuals and different groups for connected interactions in the field of interest. This explains that anyone and everyone has the opportunity to participate and share their personal opinions. The opinions stated by the interviewers — how they do not appreciate the unauthentic content that is being put out into social platforms — can be said without a negative reaction of other users, since everyone can participate.

Concluding Thoughts:

Our concluding thoughts after going into this knowing that social media is used not only as a time filler but also as a time consumer; people are brutally open about the fact that they know they could be utilizing their time on social media for a more productive outcome. Although some use social media for empty aspects, some also use digital media as an outlet for learning, growing, and productivity. Social media should be looked upon as something to help expand resources for learning and connectivity within the community that relates to one’s interests. Not so much a place for memes and or a place to hide from real-world issues that can perhaps have a personal emphasis on one’s opinions.

[embed]This is a YouTube video of a guy that talks about how to stop wasting time on Social Media.