The Influence of Social Media on Relationships

The title may sound dramatic, but it reflects a genuine concern. I recently came across two insightful articles on Medium regarding different social networks that highlight this issue. One was penned by Alvin T., who sheds light on the troubling ways social media is affecting our lives. His piece discusses the obsession with likes and attention, revealing how this fixation can lead to severe consequences.

The second article, authored by Isaiah McCall, explores how TikTok is impacting the younger generation, particularly concerning their cognitive development. These discussions are critical, and I encourage you to read both articles. They prompted me to reflect on my own experiences, which I believe resonate with many others.

It's widely understood that social media can often lead to a decline in our critical thinking abilities. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are designed to captivate our minds, creating a cycle of dependency that many of us are reluctant to break. We all have that one friend or relative who seems to thrive on creating fleeting TikTok videos, making us question their judgment.

I confess that I, too, have struggled with social media addiction. While I still maintain accounts on Facebook and Instagram, they no longer dominate my thoughts. However, I recall a time, even before smartphones, when I was glued to my old PC, sharing every moment of my life online. Facebook felt like a digital diary, and posting photos became almost obligatory.

One of my friends once remarked on the transformation of society: "Teens who used to write in secret diaries now share their lives openly on the internet." Can you relate to a time when posting a personal photo online felt risky? I certainly can! The fear of having our images misused kept many of us from sharing.

With the rise of smartphones, we have become increasingly tied to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Who knows what will capture our attention next? Before diving into my personal frustrations, I highly recommend watching the Netflix documentary "The Social Dilemma," which delves into the pervasive issues surrounding social media and its implications for our decision-making processes.

As we shift from documentaries to pop culture, I am reminded of a scene from the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother." Robin mentions how Facebook, initially a platform for young people, became crowded with parents. This shift led younger users to flee to Instagram, and eventually to TikTok.

My mother, however, remains a dedicated Facebook user. This is where my frustration begins. Most of our conversations revolve around others' lives or posts she encounters on the platform. It feels as if I am now the one parenting her in this digital age.

Family gatherings are often interrupted by her desire to take photos for social media or discuss the latest trends she read about online. When I fail to engage with her posts—something I often forget to do since I don't have the app on my phone—she feels neglected. Ironically, it's the opposite; I have never been more interested in her thoughts and feelings than now, but I long for genuine conversations like we used to have.

These days, her phone seems permanently glued to her hand. Even during face-to-face conversations, she often looks down at her device. I’ve tried to express how disrespectful this is, but the pull of social media is overwhelming.

My mother, who once cherished reading and sharing her thoughts with me, is becoming a shell of her former self. It pains me to witness this change, which could also stem from my difficulty in accepting her aging. It’s hard to see her with gray hair and struggling with everyday tasks.

What troubles me most is that constant presence of her phone, which keeps her in a semi-automatic state. A few years ago, a movie called "Click," starring Adam Sandler, cleverly predicted a reality not far from what we are experiencing now. The film depicts a man who uses a remote to skip through the less exciting parts of his life, only to realize too late that he has missed out on meaningful moments.

As we reflect on our lives, we must ask ourselves: Are we also living on autopilot?

The first video, "One Year Without My Mom: Dealing with the Death of a Mother as a Young Adult," explores the emotional journey of coping with loss. It sheds light on the challenges faced by those grieving a parent, particularly in the context of social media.

The second video, "LOSING MY MUM - My Story, How I Coped and My Advice," shares a personal narrative that highlights the struggles and coping strategies after losing a mother, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections.