We are experiencing an identity crisis, and it’s our doing. Before I blame social media for being the root of our societal struggles, it’s important to recognize that social media is a reflection of us. We as a society are surviving through the world of social media, and as of right now, our reliance on these platforms can be detrimental. 

As a college student, it’s not uncommon that I find myself questioning who I am or what influences me. Social media, for better or worse, offers comfort while also influencing a generation to depend on others to demonstrate what the “right way to live” looks like. 

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We’ve allowed others on the internet to dictate how we live our lives — a phenomenon that has been worsened by the habitual overuse of the internet and social media. Gallup states that teenagers in the United States average 4.8 hours of screen time daily on social media alone; from mindless scrolling and liking, to other communications, teens spend large parts of their time online. With this, social media is where the majority of our population receives their news, and further, utilizes the platform through activism. 

Social media plays a significant role in how the public views Israel’s war in Gaza. Similarly, it influenced the way the public viewed the underlying systemic issues leading up to the Black Lives Matter movement that began in the summer of 2020. Although many can argue that the public is informed on subjects of such importance, there also seems to be an increase in performative activism. 

Many individuals use social media to directly inform themselves about major issues without acknowledging context or other significant factors. It’s scary to think just one viral video can be the source of serious impact. Our dependency on social media platforms doesn’t just affect what we wear, but it can go as far as swaying our political beliefs and other important aspects of our lives. 

Furthermore, with an environment that allows for connection and immediate dopamine release, users have become accustomed to the reassurance and escapism that social media provides. While social media consumption and influence grows, individuals tend to echo the opinions of others rather than coming to conclusions on their own.

Trends offer us a simple example of how easily social media holds control over our perceptions — of ourselves and of others. Right before the new year, Target released a limited edition Stanley Cup that caused absolute chaos; viral videos on TikTok showed lines of people camping out prior to the opening of the stores. 

This goes to show that the majority of the time, trends don’t solely direct one person; they can influence millions. Many are quick to oblige, and with that, you run into people who have no sense of self and can only attend to what someone else on the internet has shown them. Seemingly, we are no longer “individuals” but one with the crowd. 

With apps like Instagram and TikTok, we’ve become convinced the world we see on our screens offers us something that the real world can’t. I’m not entirely sure what is being offered — maybe interaction or attention — but the real world has gone dry since we stopped living in it. It seems that we’ve resorted to using social media as a vessel for performative action, but when the physical call for action comes, it’s easier to depend on others to do the difficult work for us. Living vicariously is not living at all, especially if those who you are living through are doing the same with others. 

Even if you believe that you are not dependent on social media, there are people around you who are. The identity that you have developed through experiences and life itself faces those identities that have been developed through online influence each day.

As much of a progressive population we are, we must consider our weaknesses. With this comes recognizing how easy it is to get caught up in things that won’t benefit us and how unaware we are of the possibilities that will. When scrolling through these platforms, allow yourself to be curious and come to your own conclusions. There’s no urgency to abandon social media consumption, but we should make an effort to consider whether or not the things we are being persuaded by actually align with our personal values.