Is Social Media Still Social?
Social media has changed a lot since it first became a part of our culture. Facebook and MySpace were designed for connection. You added friends, shared life updates, and mostly saw posts from people you actually knew. Today, social media looks VERY different. We follow brands, businesses, and influencers more than our actual friends.
But is social media still social? Can it be with the endless amount of content being posted daily?
The Short Answer: Not Really
Yes, you may watch your friends' stories or like their occasional posts, but social media today functions more like entertainment than a tool for real connection. Instead of interacting with people we know, we’re scrolling through curated content, presented by algorithms designed to keep us engaged.
We see influencers living perfect lives, brands sharing overly polished messaging, and heck, even our own friends appear to have it all together. (If you do actually have it all together, let me know! I would love to learn your ways). What we don’t see as often are the struggles, the bad days, or well...you know, the shit. Social media creates this illusion of constant success and happiness, making it easy to feel disconnected. That disconnection extends to the people we’re technically “connected” with.
From Connection to Consumption
The changes social media have seen over the past several years has consequences. We may feel like we’re keeping up with friends, but in reality, we’re just passively observing. Instead of reaching out to ask, "What's up, man! How have things been?", we assume they’re fine because their feed looks great (or "on point" as the kids say).
Entertainment isn't inherently bad. It has its place. I regularly scroll for some brain rot memes. It happens...but the decline in actual interaction means social media isn’t serving the same role it once did.
Using Social Media More Intentionally
If social media has become more about consumption than connection, how do we use it responsibly?
• Be a Creator - Share content that adds value, whether it’s uplifting, insightful, or genuinely meaningful.
• Be intentional with who you follow - If your feed is making you feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or uninspired, it might be time to unfollow and create a space that feels more authentic.
• Set boundaries - Time limits, app blockers, or designated offline periods will help prevent mindless scrolling. I recommend ScreenZen, it's a free app and has helped me limit my social media usage.
• Engage - Instead of watching others, interact. Comment, ask questions, and be real.
• Be genuine and kind - Building relationships and connections on social media is still possible. It just requires a different approach than before.
Social media isn’t what it once was, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still use it in a way that serves us. We just have to be more mindful about how we engage with it.
Thank you for reading!
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