Online platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat dictate our lives more than we would like to think.
What are the possible risks involved with social media and how to use social media strategically?
Risk #1: Poor communication skills
If a person spends most of his time online and all his communication is achieved by looking at the ‘screen’ rather than at another ‘person’, he is likely to develop poor social skills. You may make a lot of new friends online, but how to maintain those friendships is something only real time communication and experiences can teach.
How to be a smart user?
Be mindful and have a plan
Before picking up a device, ask yourself: what am I going to do with the device? Is it necessary? For how long am I going to be online? And at what point will I go offline? Make your plan beforehand and stick to it. Instead of checking the phone every time it beeps, have a fixed time slot allotted to check the device. Moreover, it would be a good idea to turn off the notifications on the applications when not in use.
Risk #2: Negative self concept
Since we are constantly comparing our lives with beautified online lives of others, we end up feeling low and dissatisfied with our lives. This results in poor self esteem. We start doubting ourselves and our achievements. We begin thinking that others are living a much better life than us and are very successful. By looking at online posts and pictures, others’ lives seem perfect to us. All of this adversely affects how we think about ourselves.
How to be a smart user?
Be realistic and practice gratitude
Remember, virtual lives lack the component of reality. Online posts like pictures or events, are not necessarily as rosy and perfect as it looks on the face of it. Everybody have their share of struggles and weaknesses, which may not be visible when we look at someone’s life from a distance. Therefore we must not compare our lives with anyone else’s. We must believe in ourselves and be grateful for all the beautiful things present in our life.
Risk #3: Anxiety and restlessness
Some people get very anxious if they don’t get a response online they expected to receive. Not getting enough likes and comments on your posts can also make one quite restless. Looking at pictures of parties or social gatherings one could not attend, can result in feelings of loneliness. Its also known as FOMO, i.e. fear of being missed out.
How to be a smart user?
Follow your passion and have a busy routine
When we don’t have a structured routine, we are more likely to waste time in unproductive activities, like they say “idle heads are the devil’s workshop”. So, follow your passion and keep yourself engaged in activities that make you feel good. When you will keep busy, you won’t be craving all that attention online. It will help you in being at peace with yourself. Moreover, pursuing hobbies will help you enhance your skills which in turn will further boost your confidence and self-esteem.
Risk #4: Poor body image
As a result of constant comparisons with pictures online, one starts feeling low and doubts one’s physical appearance. One might start thinking “I don’t look good enough”; or “I am so fat”. As a result, one may indulge in risky behaviors like skipping meals, excessive dieting or taking harmful substances.
How to be a smart user?
Don’t let selfies be the measure of your self-worth
Pictures online might look perfect but often those are highly edited and beautified images. They have a very little component of reality in them. Therefore, it is not wise to let them affect us emotionally. There are other more important things that define a person, i.e. their personality, knowledge and talents. So, one must move beyond pictures and work on enhancing their potential.
Risk #5: Unhealthy routine and lifestyle
The nature of online platforms like Facebook, whatsApp or Instagram, is such that you find it difficult to stop. Once you post a picture or any event, you feel like checking every hour how many views or likes you got or who commented. It is very likely that a lot of time gets wasted in living a virtual life. Studies show that on an average, teenagers spend 5 hours a week taking selfies!
How to be a smart user?
Invest in real time connections
Spend time with your family and friends, catch up with old friends and distant relatives. Connect with your loved ones and spend some quality time together. Check out this link to explore some interesting activities you can engage in with your loved ones and have an enjoyable time together:
All you need is a Pen and Paper!
Your safety is in your hands
In order to avoid falling prey to cyberbullying, phishing or hacking attacks, one must have stringent privacy settings in place. One must not post their personal details or locations on public platforms too frequently. Avoid sharing private details online. Having an updated antivirus in devices is a must these days.
Incorporating these strategies and maintaining a balance will enable you to use the online platforms to your best advantage without getting into their trap of dependence and addiction. So, go ahead and be a smart social media user!
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