Social media and narcissism, hand in hand they seem to be,
Influencers and content creators are always saying: Look at me!
Social media has its place and depending on the motives used,
Can either be for the good or be mishandled and abused.
-Michelle A. James
It's becoming a strange phenomenon, this social media trend, which seems will be the wave of the future in our now present digital world. Folks are jumping on the bandwagon in great numbers and it seems as if the virtual information age is being inundated with a plethora of topics, messages and material of both the sane and the bizarre.
I've discovered that, on all the major social media platforms, there's a tendency to play and portray roles that may not be a reality. People will post content to receive likes and followers, and many seem to do whatever it takes to achieve this popularity across the board. Some will go to extreme measures, even risking their lives, to gain some type of notoriety in Digital Land.
Of all the platforms, I've noted that this appears to happen more frequently within the TikTok community than in others. It's as if these content creators are vying to outdo each other in terms of upping the ante in what they can present to viewers. And it doesn't matter what the genre or category of content material may be, somehow it all applies.
Home decor is not used to display comfort but has gone to a level of luxe and lavish living, to the point where several dollars are spent to achieve an upscale-style status.
Beauty and makeup techniques can be taken to a point where individuals are grossly unrecognizable, and in some cases seem to provide shock value.
Some folks will perform outrageous antics, such as setting themselves on fire, jumping from tall buildings or mountainous terrain, maneuvering recklessly through streets of traffic or becoming involved in a number of competitive, extreme sports.
Families will employ several questionable practices, many involving children who are used as playthings and pawn pieces, to evoke attention and entertainment.
Social media has become a ruse to stir up a host of emotions among influencers who have the need to outshine or outperform their competitors. Jealousy often plays a major part here and the volley of responses can be unbelievably vicious and alarming. It's quite disturbing and heartbreaking when the news media reports of deaths that are caused by, or associated with, this type of activity that's rooted in social media platforms.
When did it come to such a state as this?
Social media does have its positive side. There's much content that's inspiring, uplifting and motivational. Several, such as ones found on the YouTube platform, are quite educational and can be used as teaching tools. But unfortunately, like anything else in this world, there'll always be a potential for the good and also one that veers towards the evil. It all depends on whose hands it falls into. As long as there are wicked people in this world who have an evil intent in their heart, and those who want nothing more than to harm or destroy what is good, lovely, right and true, this social media madness will continue.
Is it possible to stem the flow of madness which circulates throughout Digital Land? Is it possible to curb the mania that exists in this virtual age?
I don't know.
But one thing I do know is that we can make an attempt to counteract the bad with more good by adding an extra dose of light to the darkness. It may not completely snuff out the bizarre but it may make it less available or accessible to those who relish it. It may make it more difficult for viewers to locate all the crazy content and possibly eliminate the need for volatile entertainment.
Just a thought.
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