Let’s pretend that we discovered apples were causing tremendous problems in our society, especially among children.
Let’s say we learned that eating apples causes a noticeable decline in life satisfaction, and girls are more adversely affected than boys. Let’s say that eating too many apples appeared to cause lower self-esteem, mental health problems, and socioemotional difficulties. While eating apples does seem to increase opportunities for meeting others who enjoy apples, apple eaters also tend to compare themselves to other apple eaters, and they tend to believe that other people’s apples are better tasting, and their lives are better overall. Eating apples also reduces the opportunity for trying different types of food or for doing other activities in place of eating. Therefore, apple eaters tend to have fewer life experiences. Let’s also say that there has been an increase in making fun of those who eat a lot of apples. Statistics show that the more apples one eats, the more likely she will be made fun of. In fact, the teasing has gotten so bad, in some cases, that certain apple eaters have turned to suicide. All in all, it appears that eating apples generally leads to a less happy life.
What would a logical recommendation be?
Stop eating apples!
A new study was released this month on the social media habits of children. Unsurprisingly, social media use leads to miserable children. Just substitute the apples above for your favorite social media site, and all those facts are true. A similar study with similar results for adults was reported last week.
I’m always amazed when I hear students complaining about cyber-bullying, even at the college level. Let’s be clear: the only way you can be cyber-bullied is if you are on social media in the first place. I have never participated in Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of the other ones, so I have no idea if someone is making fun of me out in cyberspace. It’s wonderful! And I sleep perfectly fine at night.
The proliferation of technology in your life may be unavoidable, but the participation in social media is completely under your control. So stop putting yourself in these positions. Read the report, stop using Facebook, and kick your kids off of social media as fast as possible.
Let’s say we learned that eating apples causes a noticeable decline in life satisfaction, and girls are more adversely affected than boys. Let’s say that eating too many apples appeared to cause lower self-esteem, mental health problems, and socioemotional difficulties. While eating apples does seem to increase opportunities for meeting others who enjoy apples, apple eaters also tend to compare themselves to other apple eaters, and they tend to believe that other people’s apples are better tasting, and their lives are better overall. Eating apples also reduces the opportunity for trying different types of food or for doing other activities in place of eating. Therefore, apple eaters tend to have fewer life experiences. Let’s also say that there has been an increase in making fun of those who eat a lot of apples. Statistics show that the more apples one eats, the more likely she will be made fun of. In fact, the teasing has gotten so bad, in some cases, that certain apple eaters have turned to suicide. All in all, it appears that eating apples generally leads to a less happy life.
What would a logical recommendation be?
Stop eating apples!
A new study was released this month on the social media habits of children. Unsurprisingly, social media use leads to miserable children. Just substitute the apples above for your favorite social media site, and all those facts are true. A similar study with similar results for adults was reported last week.
I’m always amazed when I hear students complaining about cyber-bullying, even at the college level. Let’s be clear: the only way you can be cyber-bullied is if you are on social media in the first place. I have never participated in Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of the other ones, so I have no idea if someone is making fun of me out in cyberspace. It’s wonderful! And I sleep perfectly fine at night.
The proliferation of technology in your life may be unavoidable, but the participation in social media is completely under your control. So stop putting yourself in these positions. Read the report, stop using Facebook, and kick your kids off of social media as fast as possible.