Influencers and Social Media

KittySoftPaws · ‎07-21-2020

So I live in Florida and we have a pretty nice Beach here known for beautiful views and sunsets, which draw many visitors here in the Winter months. Yesterday I headed to the beach mid aft., to spend the day and see the sunset. Upon arriving, I encountered 2 young Women maybe teens early 20's, posing on the walking bridge that heads to the beach. They were taking pics and posing over and over, no doubt for their Instagram accounts. I walked by and rolled my eyes to myself. A bit later, two more young Women were on the beach behind us sitting up on there knees, phones in front of them, and casually fake laughing, and posing in front of their phones. Again, I rolled my eyes. I just don't get this. Instead of living their lives in the moment they are in, and enjoying the beauty around them, they are trying to create a fake scenario that to me is incredibly self absorbed and ridiculous at the same time. This is the problem with social media, it creats the illusion that their lives are so interesting and to be envied. I am so glad I grew up in a time where we didn't have cell phones or social media. To me, this is a sad scenario and it's just getting worse. I was there with my Hubby's cousin and her friend who are 10 years younger than I and have kids. I don't. They said their daughters do this at times and they feel that if they don't, they may somehow be out of the "loop" socially and that would not be a good thing. What?! Consider me baffled, because I don't get it and it makes me wants to gag every time I see it.

"Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts." Charles Dickens

LizzieInSRQ · ‎12-27-2010

@KittySoftPaws My goal this past year especially is to not be so concerned about others when it starts to affect me negatively.

Tori3569 · ‎06-27-2010

Their version of living in the moment is different than yours. They are having fun, on a beach, with a friend or friends and saving / sharing the memories. I love seeing my nieces and nephews' social media posts. They're very happy young adults.

kaydee50 · ‎02-07-2011

It is an addiction--fear of missing out--and I refer to those types as zombies. I too think it's sad but I'm 75 and don't relate to most of the technology that is considered so necessary. Can't imagine what AI is going to do to society. Hope I'm gone before it becomes widespread!!

Lakelife62 · ‎05-09-2023

Every generation has their thing.

It's a digital world now and this is how young people connect and relate to others. it's the daily version of the "here's how we spent our year" christmas cards.

I never understood why everyone smoked and drank in the 50s and 60s and while it wasn't true that everyone did those things, it just seemed that way beause of my personal experience.

Not every kid is posing for pictures or trying to be an influencer. This, too, will be replaced by something else that those of us on the downward slide of life will not understand.

A story as old as time.

RetRN · ‎10-01-2013

I agree that it is an addiction and not a productive use of time. Young people are missing out on living life due to social media.

Tori3569 · ‎06-27-2010

@RetRN wrote:
I agree that it is an addiction and not a productive use of time. Young people are missing out on living life due to social media.

Just curious. What "should" they be doing instead?

Puppy Lips · ‎05-09-2010

I agree with the OP. It is all about ME ME ME. I have nieces who post a lot of crazy photos of themselves. I am not Facebook friends with them anymore for other reasons, but I don’t get it. Why they think everyone else wants to see 50 pics of their vacation is beyond me.

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. Margaret Mead

Lakelife62 · ‎05-09-2023

@Tori3569 wrote:
@RetRN wrote:
I agree that it is an addiction and not a productive use of time. Young people are missing out on living life due to social media.

Just curious. What "should" they be doing instead?

Right? Many people have little to no interaction with young people, so I chalk it up to being out of touch with the world kids are living in these days.

I get kept right smack in the middle of it all (and sometimes I roll my eyes also- beause the teenage DRAMA is still the same) keeping up with my grandkids on Instagram and TikTok. Also, sometimes, I would rather not know.