The impact of social media on various aspects of our lives is a growing concern. We turned to Reddit to seek insights on what has been adversely affected by its pervasive influence, and the community did not disappoint. In this compilation, we present the 15 most compelling responses, shedding light on the diverse range of issues that have been disrupted or ruined by the rise of social media.
Dating
On Reddit, one user succinctly summed up a prevailing sentiment: dating has been negatively impacted by the advent of social media. Many individuals now harbor unrealistic expectations perpetuated by the seemingly endless options presented online, leading to an elusive pursuit of the “perfect” partner, which has fundamentally altered the dating landscape.
A person responded thoughtfully, “My husband and I talk about that often when we hear our single friends discuss dating. It sounds awful. All the different apps, and you don’t actually go on a date. You hang out, and maybe you eventually date, but it’s not exclusive, and then you have to discuss labels, and after all that, the person just ghosts you. I told my husband he was my boyfriend, and he went, “OK,” and here we are.”
Attention Span
In the same Reddit discussion, another contributor highlighted a concerning aspect of dating affected by social media: the dwindling attention spans of individuals involved. While emphasizing the importance of genuine connection and spending quality time together, they pointed out a common annoyance – when someone interrupts a conversation or an outing by constantly checking their phone, even in mid-sentence. This behavior, often seen during meals or social gatherings, is a frustrating distraction that undermines the essence of meaningful interaction.
“This!!! I find this to be extremely disrespectful. This happens all the time to me at work. I work in customer service, and it happens way too often that I call the next number, and the customer walks up to me with their return and doesn’t take their earbuds off. Like they keep both earbuds in. I don’t know whether they paused the music or whatever they had been listening to. I’m supposed to be all Customer Service Friendly, and they are being disrespectful and keeping those earbuds in. And what’s even worse is when you’re talking with a said customer, and they stop to answer a call,” added one person with a view on attention spans.
Reunions
A participant in the discussion thread made a valid point about how social media has affected reunions. They mentioned that the allure of attending reunions has diminished as people can easily track the life progress of their acquaintances, like Betty, on platforms such as Facebook. This easy access to information online has, in some cases, replaced the desire for in-person reunions, altering the dynamics of these gatherings.
With another adding, “I recently skipped my 20th reunion. A friend told me to go, but I responded, I can see what everybody is up to on Facebook. That’s what reunions were, but they’re obsolete now. I have their contact info if I want to see certain people and catch up in real life. I see who I want to see. And I saw pictures from the event… looks like nobody traveled to go. It was just about 2 dozen folks who all still live locally. They see each other around town already.”
The Joy of the Internet
A Reddit user raised an intriguing point about how social media has transformed the internet experience. They noted that a sense of wonder and joy once existed when exploring the online realm, a time of approximately ten years. During this era, the internet was a treasure trove of knowledge and endless possibilities for learning, fueling excitement. However, they lamented that this era seemed to change with the rise of figures like Mark Zuckerberg, suggesting that social media has shifted the focus from exploration and knowledge to a different digital landscape.
“This is the absolute truth. The web was about experimentation and anonymous connections based on interests via web rings and forums, and then Zuckerberg introduced real names. Everyone and their brother brought along carried their egos into the place. Marketers seized the entire goddamn place like a John Carpenter film.” added a contributor to the infamous online discussion.
Sending Postcards
A Reddit user lamented how the tradition of sending postcards from one’s vacation has been significantly undermined by the pervasive presence of social media. In the past, sharing postcards was a heartfelt gesture, allowing people to share their travel experiences personally and thoughtfully. However, today’s reliance on instant online updates has diminished the charm and novelty of sending and receiving physical postcards, altering how we connect and communicate during our travels.
One person agreed, “This so much. It’s sad because you get daily updates about Jack and Wendy’s vacation, whether you asked for them or not. “Oh, another sunset photo.” Great.”
Politics and Governing
A person on the thread pointed out a significant issue: the impact of social media on politics and governance. They emphasized the importance of electing politicians who can represent diverse perspectives and then entrusting them with the responsibilities of government, which traditionally involve compromise, deal-making, and strategic decision-making. However, the user argued that social media has fostered tribalism by compelling politicians to cater to their base, potentially undermining effective governance’s collaborative and compromise-driven nature.
“Politicians have always cared more about getting their base worked up than accomplishing anything. If they fix any issue, it removes a reason for their supporters to reelect them. Politicians have been discussing how college is unaffordable for decades, and everything they’ve done has made it more expensive, not less.”
Boredom
In the ongoing discussion, a participant highlighted how social media has reshaped the experience of boredom. In the past, being alone and bored provided an opportunity for introspection and creative thinking, often leading to the emergence of fresh ideas. However, today, the easy availability of social media platforms has led people to mindlessly scroll when they have idle moments, hindering the chance for genuine solitude and the creative benefits that can arise from it.
“I have spent many hours doom-scrolling. I wish I had those back.” regrets one user.
Mutual Respect for Strangers and Peers
One participant in the thread shared a concerning observation about the erosion of mutual respect on social media platforms. They noted that in the digital age, many individuals have adopted a confrontational and combative approach, often sharing incomplete or biased information for popularity and approval. This behavior, which they referred to as being a “keyboard warrior,” has undermined the fundamental principles of respectful discourse and the importance of accuracy and context in online interactions.
“I mentioned briefly that I thought eating meat was wrong, but I respected others’ views. My family and some random strangers attacked me on how I should be eating meat because of the type of teeth I have.” one person added.
Risk Communication
An expert on Reddit shed light on a critical issue: the distortion of risk communication during emergencies and disasters due to social media. This disaster researcher emphasized the significant challenge posed by the proliferation of misinformation, citing the example of Maui, where individuals with substantial social media followings often outperformed official government channels in disseminating information. They underscored the additional complication of malicious actors exacerbating the problem, highlighting the urgent need for improved strategies in crisis communication.
“Yes, this so much!” one person added, with another saying, “I never even thought of that.”
Society
In a Reddit post, a user expressed their concern about the impact of social media on society, suggesting that it has contributed to a divisive and polarized environment. They observed that individuals often become deeply entrenched in online echo chambers, where differing opinions, experiences, and perspectives are met with resistance rather than open dialogue. This, they argued, has eroded the acceptance of diversity and differing viewpoints as a standard and valuable aspect of a healthy society.
They added, “As I see it, before social media, people could not surround themselves with like-minded folks, so there was much more understanding and acceptance of adverse opinions, and everyone was more cool about it. Now we live in clans, and having a different opinion can be a reason for hate.”
Perception of People’s Bodies
A Reddit user raised an issue about body image perception influenced by platforms like Instagram and TikTok. They pointed out that these social media platforms have distorted people’s perception of what constitutes an average human body beyond just accepting natural features like rolls and stretch marks. This distortion has led to unrealistic beauty standards and unrealistic expectations regarding body proportions.
Another added, “Totally. I realize we always see a distorted view of how people perceive themselves. Makes dating hard.”
Family Dynamics and Morality
On Reddit, an individual concurred that social media has had a detrimental impact on sensitive topics such as family dynamics and morality. They echoed concerns that the ease of online communication has sometimes fueled divisive discussions and compromised the sense of unity within families, affecting moral values and ethical considerations in the digital age.
Adding, “Social media was a safe space for learning new things and having a good time with friends. But now all you see are women shaking their booty half-naked and normalizing having no family structure. Also, people do not respect others, and body sharing with a flat/skinny/fat woman is normalized. Just pointing out people’s flaws and being bluntly rude.”
Realistic Expectations
In the discussion, someone emphasized the role of social media in distorting realistic expectations regarding life’s milestones and achievements at specific ages. They pointed out that these platforms often showcase curated and embellished versions of people’s lives, leading others to compare themselves and feel inadequate when they don’t meet perceived societal standards for success at a particular age.
Another added, “People only show highlight reels of their life on social media to make everything look so grand, which causes others to feel like they are falling behind in life. I see it a lot with friends who are addicted to social media. They constantly complain about their life when it’s perfectly fine or better than average. It’s sad to see, so I stay far away from it.”
Being Able to Exist in Public
In a straightforward comment, someone highlighted how the presence of social media has altered the experience of being in public. They recounted a recent incident where a video of a woman behaving in a restaurant garnered attention, with viewers focusing on a bystander’s disapproval instead. The situation transformed the background person into an unwitting internet meme, illustrating how social media can unexpectedly thrust individuals into the online spotlight without their knowledge or consent.
“Agree. Imagine jumping in to help someone – someone being attacked, a car accident, someone drowning, etc., only to be recorded and plastered over the net. Judged, criticized, mocked. Pretty sad, isn’t it?” another Redditor added.
Wrestling
A Redditor shared their perspective on how social media has impacted the wrestling world. They lamented that the element of surprise, often associated with surprise returns and match outcomes, has been eroded as information leaks onto social platforms well in advance. This, they argued, has diminished the excitement of watching wrestling shows, as promotions frequently disclose results and developments on social media, leaving little suspense for viewers.
“Well, yeah. I never thought of that.” added another person, surprised by the answer.
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