Is social media an addiction?

Did you ever uploaded a photo on Facebook or Instagram and thought by yourself why am I not get more followers or likes? Why do other people have a lot of followers and a lot of likes on every photo? I think a lot of people already asked these questions. 

A few days ago I saw this video passing by on Youtube. I clicked on it and wanted to share it with you. A lot of people these days expect a lot from social media. You can say a lot of people are addicted to social media. In the video they say it can be as addictive as drugs or gambling. 

Is it really that important how many likes you get or how many followers you have? I'm someone who doesn't post a lot on social media (my personal accounts). I don't need to share the whole time what I'm eating or what I'm doing. I think that some things need to be private. You can share it with some people but maybe only the people who are the closest to you. Then you can text them, call them, talk to them or maybe these days videocall them. 

When I was younger social media didn't really excist. The internet was very slow and we still wrote letters to each other. Now it's like everyone wants an answer right away. I know sometimes I'm also like this. I want to know it immediately but maybe it's because I'm impatient. 

I'm also someone who doesn't really cares about how many likes or followers I have. Maybe you care a lot. But think by yourself: is it really worth my time? Do I really care about the likes and followers? I think it's because a lot of people, like they also say in the video, wants confirmation that they are doing it right. That they are good in what they are doing or that they look good. I know I need also confirmation from time to time but I like it more personal and at moments I don't expect. 

Also when the internet was still slow I didn't want to share my life with others. The people that needed to know what was going on in my life were part of it. Now it's like everyone wants to tell the whole world what they are eating, what they are doing, what you're watching, etc. You need to know that with that information people know a lot about you and your life and maybe they can take advantage of that. They can do with this information whatever they want to do. 

Besides that a lot of people are also faking things on the internet and on social media. Maybe they show you that they life a wonderful life but in real life they don't. You never know what everyone carries around and how they actually feel. Maybe the likes and the followers are for them a kind of happiness. At that moment they feel like they could conquer the world. Does this last long? I don't think so. When they are offline or don't check their social media they are back in their real life. It's just for a few seconds/minutes that they feel like this. In the video they are talking about suicides. Sometimes you don't see it on social media that some people have suicidal thoughts. They only show the good things. 

Some people also see the life of others on social media and are jealous. They also want a nice life filled with gifts, nice cars, a nice house and a lot of friends. But unfortenalty these people can't afford these things. They are sad and want another happy life. Like I already said the other people can have a much worser life then you have but you can't see it. Be happy with the things you have!

Comparing with other people isn't good at all. And I know I'm also guilty about thinking that some people have it better then me. But in the end everyone lives his own life and you don't need to compare yourself with others. Certainly people you only know through social media. They can hide much more then you think. 

So is social media an addiction? I, personally, think it's an addiction. We check it a lot during the day but is it worth it? I don't think so. You can share things with others but to inform them. Maybe you can help them with the information or maybe you can let them think. 

So next time you're posting something on social media think about this blog. I hope you can learn something from it. 

Toinon