The Impact of Social Media on Our Daily Lives: Insights from Kids

Since the dawn of mankind, humans have mused over the idea of immortality. Through technology and social media, we have, to some extent, achieved this quest by capturing every moment of our existence and immortalizing it in a digital world. The digital landscape and social media have become part of our everyday lives.

According to one statistic, as of the third quarter of 2015, Facebook had 1.55 billion monthly active users, Twitter had 307 million, and Instagram had 400 million. These numbers reflect how deeply ingrained social media has become in society. However, while there are countless studies, articles, and expert opinions about social media and its impact on our daily lives, it is often the perspectives of the most uninhibited and straight-talking members of the human race – children – that provide us with the most refreshing insights.

When asked what they thought about social media, children from toddlers to teens shared their thoughts in various interviews across the web. Here are some of their perspectives:

“Being social without being social”

One tween provided a profound answer when asked to describe social media. He said it allows us to be social without truly being social. While social media provides a way to connect and share with people we don’t necessarily have time to engage with face-to-face on a daily basis, the reality is that these connections are very superficial. Instead of talking to each other, we talk at each other. Rather than doing enjoyable things with each other, we post about the enjoyable things we are doing in the presence of others. As one kid put it, “Adults usually post pictures and stuff and see what others are doing.”

“It’s more of a distraction”

Many of us fool ourselves into thinking that we are multitasking when, in truth, social media distracts us from what is happening in real time. The average American spends an average of 3+ hours per day on social networks, according to one report. This significant amount of time can take away from meaningful conversations with children and giving them undivided attention. From a child’s perspective, social media may be distracting parents from engaging with them or fully appreciating their latest artwork.

“It’s some filtered/altered/handpicked highlight”

Children recognize that the snippets of our daily lives we share on social media can never convey the true essence of someone’s life. We often post edited versions of our lives, showcasing only the highlights. While parents may post pictures of their children on social media, kids may find it odd or uncomfortable when their parents share those images. As one 13-year-old said, “That’s creepy.”

“It’s kinda the way to find stuff out”

In the digital age, social media has become a source of breaking news. We often hear about major events or news via social media before traditional news broadcasters report on them. However, social media also provides mundane information, such as what someone had for breakfast. Children observe this and question why people share such personal details. As one child asked, “Why does my mom take pictures of her breakfast and put them on Facebook?”

“Do you really have 3000 friends?”

Social media has blurred the lines between friendship and virtual connections. One study suggests that social media is affecting our perception of friendship and intimacy. A comedian asked a child if he really had 3000 friends on Facebook, and the child responded with a vehement “Liar!” The average Facebook user has about 300 ‘friends,’ but the true nature of those connections is questionable. One teenager aptly compared social media to an awkward family dinner that one cannot leave. Additionally, an 11-year-old expressed his desire to be friends with everyone on Facebook when he grows up.

Responsible Use

It is important to note that this article does not aim to demonize social media. Rather, it sheds light on the realities of social media use and proposes the need for a more balanced social media-life ratio. Simply put, we should be mindful of the time we spend on social media and how it impacts our daily lives. Instead of constantly capturing and sharing every moment, it is vital to truly experience them. The motto should be “Experience now, share later.”

In conclusion, the insights from children provide valuable perspectives on the impact of social media on our daily lives. By considering their opinions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the potential drawbacks and benefits of this digital landscape. Ultimately, responsible use of social media is key to striking a healthy balance between our online and offline worlds.