It's Social Media

It is a great matter of deal lately on time spent on social media. People are busy judging others based on their social media posts as well as their frequency of updates. It is also linked to the ineffective physical, social life and regarded as a lack of friends in reality and more in the virtual world. I came across this story of a dying man in hospital with only family members outside the ICU and no virtual friends present to extend their empathy. I have also known people who prefer to stay out of this virtual social life, claiming they feel it kills their productivity or sabotage their privacy. While few others are on sting operations, they keep observing others social life and pretending to be absent.

Every individual is different, and so is their behaviour, it will not be righteous to judge anyone based on your opinions. You can have your way of handling and living your life, but it is none of others business of how one should deal with their life. You can offer your word of advice, but you cannot be judgemental or expect things to go as recommended.

I understand based on my virtual experience of social media is; it is SOCIAL media that is a side which you will showcase to the society. There is no doubt that one will generally represent a sunny side to the outside world. Then why there is so much taboo that social media is fake, and it shows people happy. Will you go to a social gathering and start telling people about the troubles of your life? Be it social gathering or parties we generally cherish discussion around achievements and newness of one's life. Then why is it wrong to showcase the same on your virtual social life? If you want empathy of people in your troubled times, start posting your troubles on social media, you will find your required reactions there too. I have known digital marketers who are using social media to raise funds for needy. You can also generate what you want through sharing your worries. But do you want to make your fears public and show people your that side is your choice and no one should be judging you for your social behaviour be it virtual or physical?

People are complaining that social media has ruined their social life as people prefer to drop a message for their wishes and courtesy and personal touch is missing. If you feel so, take responsibility for your actions. You reach out to people in the style you wish to. I know people who still call on birthday and other occasions and don't stop at virtual wishes. Instead, this social media has expanded our social horizons. We can keep in touch with people who are distant and if I may say not someone who matters to you, but you are acquaintances and want to continue your connectivity. The virtual social life has helped us to stay connected to our contacts to the fullest till now in human history. We have to take responsibility for our actions. How much time are we spending, what is the priority of the hour, creating our social image right and making friends beyond the virtual social life? I have many friends who have become my buddies, whom I met on social media. I have not given any extra services by the social media handlers, I have made additional efforts for that.

Enjoy the social media as a social platform to connect with people, and then you decide the level and type of intimacy you want in that contact. You start connecting people outside social media in person if you're going to develop it to the next level. Don't complain or criticise social media for your lack of relationship management capabilities. Leverage it as much you need, don't let it leverage you. You control your presence and utilisation; every good thing is right in the required quantity, beyond the limit is harmful even if it is medicine.