In Defense of Social Media

Just about everyone and their mom has seen this YouTube video: http://youtu.be/Z7dLU6fk9QY. 

If you haven't watched it, I'm sure you've seen it pop up on your Facebook newsfeed at some point in the past few days. It's about social media and how we need to look up from our phone, tablet, and computer screens, and interact with those around us. How we're a part of all of this social media but don't socialize at all. We don't know how to really connect. We are lonelier as a society than we ever have been before.

It's valid and true. We need to learn to look up from our screens. I know my mom actually complains about this a lot in regards to myself. I am completely guilty of spending too much time in social media and on my technology. A few weeks ago I left my cell phone in my car while meeting a friend for dinner and was freaking out the whole time. I'm completely guilty of what this video is saying.

Granted, I did just get my new precious. Give me some slack.

However... I can't help but think of ways to defend social media. There are so many good things about the internet and social media and these amazing devices we hold in our hands.

You can buy this print from my fabulous friend, (whom I do know through the internet) Sarah, by clicking this link: http://shop.sarahannehayes.com/product/internet-friends-hand-lettered-notecards

- There are so many opportunities to express yourself and create. I truly believe creating is holy, and with social media and the Internet we have a million ways to do so. Affordable ways too! Photos, writing, design, drawing, music... The possibilities are endless.

- You can be friends with people you normally wouldn't. I have friends all over the country and around the world thanks to blogging and social media. People whom I truly consider my good friends. People I have met in "real life" and some I haven't. People who are a lot like me, and others who aren't at all and they're all amazing. If I wasn't connected to the Internet the way I am, I would be missing out on so many friendships.

- Sometimes, you genuinely don't connect to the people around you, and it's lonely. Even if you try there are times you just don't connect. It could be for a variety of reasons. You don't have common interests, you don't get along, bridges have been burned for some reason, or you just don't click. With the Internet people can find those they DO connect with. Maybe they can find a group of people in their area who have the same interests, or they can make friends with those far away. 

- Relationships which would have faded away stay strong. I have friends from high school and college or from Missouri which would have been a lot harder to keep up if it weren't for social media because we moved all over the country and the world. Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat, texting, etc. I talk to these friends all of the time. We're always sending messages and photos of what we're up to and I'm so grateful. It's not the same as being with them in person, but until we can be, this is wonderful and it works.

- Half of the time I'm on my iPad, I'm actually reading a book.

Yes, we need to learn to experience life in the moment and not feel the need to tweet or Instagram every single second of our lives. We need to be able to appreciate those around us and not have to have. Screens shouldn't be in our faces all of the time.

 But it also can be invaluable to a lot of people, and we shouldn't take that away. It's all about the balance.