…a number of likes, a number of views, a number of followers. In this age of growing technology it is inevitable that we will all, at some point, be consumed with these numbers that play such a vital role within social media. I hear it often, both within the classroom and in my own social settings, “I’ve hit over 1000 followers”, “my photo received more likes than yours”, “you know, if you post between particular hours and use certain hashtags, you’re guaranteed more likes”. However, in reality do these numbers matter? Do you know every single one of the 10,000 followers you may have on Instagram? How many of your 600 Facebook friends do you speak to on a daily basis?
I have been out for breakfast with friends and watched as the conversation completely ceases when the meals are brought. Everyone reaches for their phones, takes numerous artistic photos of their food and schedules the best time to post it in order to gain the most likes. When did taking photos of our food become more important than eating it?
At times we are all guilty of it, basing our self-worth on these numbers. Posting a photo and waiting for the notification to alert us on our phones that some one “likes” our photo. But, do these “likes” even matter if we are incapable of maintaining healthy relationships with those closest to us?
I am not condemning or judging peoples use of social media; I love a good selfie as much as the next person, but what I do question is the value we place on faux relationships, with people we have never met. We need to appreciate the people we interact with on a daily basis; our parents, our classmates, our colleagues, the friends who are there for us when we need them. Put time into maintaining these relationships; leaving your room and eating dinner with your family, going for an afternoon walk and enjoying each other’s company. Because when you’re feeling down and have had a bad day, it’s not going to be your 10,000 Instagram followers who will wipe away your tears. It will be the people who really love you, those people you have invested time and energy into, your parents and your true friends.
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