Stanisland Magazine

The internet and the social media experience is like using drugs. Only, your brain becomes zombified.

Social media is a troublesome space. Most users fail to grasp the negative impact it is having on us all.

In today’s digital age, it’s easy to find oneself unwittingly ensnared in the ever-expanding web of the internet. Users often believe they’re the architects of the content they consume, under the illusion that they’ve painstakingly crafted a unique digital tapestry.

However, the reality is inspiration is frequently recycled across platforms, reappearing time and again in the hopes of satisfying attention spans, hot takes, and fleeting glimpses into other people’s lives. Social media has become an indelible force on our minds, one that may permanently damage them.

The Problem

The root of the problem lies in the superabundance of content. We are drowning, blocking out what truly matters. Scrolling incessantly, we traverse the chaotic landscape of social media, mindlessly absorbing its offerings without any meaningful purpose. In return, it offers little more than anxious thoughts.

For me personally, my initial intent was to indulge in superficial entertainment, knowingly sacrificing my attention span—and perhaps—my intellectual capacity in the process. Unbeknownst to me, the internet was quietly shaping my perception of the world, and not in a good way.

Navigating its realm of endless possibilities, I inevitably encounter a deluge of vapid content that only exacerbates my dismay. I aspire to join a community driven by constructive motivation, yet it’s challenging to participate without feeling a sense of disillusionment about what’s available.

You might be tempted to dismiss this reflection as the musings of a digital curmudgeon, but even the elderly are not immune to the allure of the activities mentioned. I assure you I’m not a senior citizen ripe for mockery by the younger generation for my perceived lack of understanding or relevance.

Lack of Creativity

In fact, the idea of maintaining anonymity is enticing when considering the unfortunate victims who’ve been transformed into ‘memes’ by the unforgiving internet. Many users chase fame without a clear purpose, recycling both their own and others’ creations.

READ: In searching for identity, we are losing it

In addition to limited online creativity, we’re frequently inundated with clichés that elicit involuntary eye rolls due to their overuse. Phrases like “Make it make sense!” or “That’s a red flag” have become all too familiar, to the point individuality and linguistic identity is scarce. It’s quite frightening.

Remaining Anonymous Is Difficult in Today’s World

Anonymity is another concern. It has become a rare luxury in our modern age, where safeguarding one’s privacy from the clutches of internet culture and data harvesting requires significant resources.

Unless one actively resists the urge to share personal information online, there’s a compelling argument for stepping away from the so-called information superhighway. I long for a place where personal data remains confidential, free from the prying eyes of governmental institutions that seem increasingly aligned with the term ‘villainous’ due to their data-mining practices. The option to remain anonymous should not be a privilege; it should be a fundamental right.

In reality, regardless of age, we are increasingly influenced by external perceptions of ourselves. This is particularly pronounced among the younger generation, who are exposed to a bewildering array of mixed messages from influencers, messages even the influencers themselves may not fully comprehend.