Reflections on social media

Social media has opened my eyes to the vast array of utter madness in the world. So much of our lives is now lived in the abstract, our discussions fuelled by the detachment of distance and screen. Debate has never been easier, but real engagement is dwindling. Perhaps we believe a few rattles and rants on a keyboard is enough? The volume of information and discussion on social media is overwhelming, but the quality is invariably poor. Technology gives ease of access, but it is unfettered and unchecked. We live in the age of bullshit, with discussion more disposable then ever. Nothing is sacred, everything is permitted.

In the old days my circle of contact was limited and information gathered through traditional sources such as books. Though I traveled widely in my twenties, I have wondered since if my worldview was narrow back then and now I see more of how it is. Am I simply a voyeur seeing a distorted and absurd view of life filtered through a lens of click bait, self sanitisation, adverts, and inane drivel? Should I remind myself of the days when my life was mostly experiential not virtual. Do I need to connect more in different ways, and not through a screen? I love the fact I’m in contact with long lost friends again. The opportunities to organise events and interact with a wide range of people is breathtaking at times. However, for all we have gained, have we stopped to consider what we have lost?

The worst thing about social media is the endless negativity. Never has this been more apparent in the rise of the ill-informed populist divisions around the Brexit debate. Someone highlighted a Stephen Fry comment that we are now more obsessed with being right than being kind. Engage with social media and you'd think the world is filled with hate. I don't believe that. Evil things happen, but they are the exception not the norm. We are kind, intelligent, loving creatures capable of wonderful creativity. The most beautiful expression of tenderness between humans is the act of making love. There are over 120 million acts of love making, and over 350,000 babies born in the world every day. This is the joy that never makes social media. The world is simply a culmination of every single human act. If we make our acts positive, kind, and loving and there is hope.

What about our future? We are led to believe the most savvy and enthusiastic users of new technology, young people have never been more disengaged from contact. Endless studies report the increased use of social media by the young and its negative impact on well-being, mental health, body image, self esteem. This is leading to an alarming rise in self-harm and suicide rates. This is one of the most upsetting things of all. What does it tell us though? Have our young people given up hope and no longer care? Or do they simply feel there is no point?

I work on youth programmes for the National Citizen Service where thousands of young people give up their time, energy and creativity to bring about positive change in their communities. They don’t have to do this, but they choose to and they make a huge difference. This summer over 4,000 young people will engage in social action across the North East alone, contributing well over 120,000 hours of their summer holidays to deserving causes. This is the equivalent of 3,000 working week of time and effort. This is positive, it is meaningful, it is real not virtual, and it is all being done by our young people.

Across the world we are seeing young people refusing to go to school, and taking to the streets to protest about government inaction on climate change. They are inspired by the incredible Swedish girl, Greta Thunberg who has captured so many hearts and minds and shamed us all into asking questions of ourselves. Maybe the two most important question of all to spur us into action before it is too late. What legacy are we leaving our children Have we failed our young people yet again?

So what have I gained from this reflection on the power of social media? As another old friend reminded me the other day. At its best anything can be a power for good, but only if we make it so. As in all life, it is down to us to make the difference and change starts with each of us taking personal responsibility for how we act. I believe, at their best our young people are showing us the way. Look hard enough and you will find plenty of evidence of this. So from now on I will have a simple mantra - find the joy, and try to be kind, not right.