Following the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September, Utah Governor Spencer Cox called social media “a cancer.” Harsh words, but maybe they have a hint of truth.
Don’t get us wrong — social media can be a valuable tool for connecting with long-lost friends, for finding those who think and feel like you, for informing others. It’s a great marketing tool as well, informing the public of services or products available, or special sales merchants are offering. At the same time, however, it can be detrimental. When people start using social media as their sole source of news, or their only way of connecting with other people, it’s downright dangerous.
It’s easy to hide behind a computer or phone keyboard. You can put up a fake photo and pretend it’s you. You can disable your location and pretend to be wherever you would rather be. You can say whatever you like, thinking there will be no consequences.
However, there are often consequences you may not have thought about when making that post you thought was funny or insightful. Numerous people lost their jobs following comments made on social media about Kirk’s murder, after all. Was it worth it, we wonder.
Perhaps it’s best to think before you post. We’ve seen it in the comments on our own social media posts. There are political arguments taking place. People cursing each other out. People saying horrible things about those who require public assistance. Judging others for mistakes they have made. Degrading law enforcement for busting a marijuana operation. Accusing journalists of being biased because you don’t like what they’re reporting. The list goes on and on.
Of course, we have freedom of speech in this country, and that is a precious thing that we should defend no matter what. But if what you are saying is going to hurt someone, make them feel less than, even incite violence … is it really worth posting?
It’s also important to remember that whatever you post online stays there. You can delete it, wipe your computer or phone hard drive, but your post is still out there somewhere in the ether.
How many celebrities or politicians have had long-ago tweets or Facebook posts from their pasts come back to bite them?
Like we said above, social media definitely has its value and does some good in the world, but please don’t make it your be-all, end-all source of information or interaction. Don’t make it your only way of communicating with the outside world. Too often, we find ourselves staring at our phones during family get-togethers, meals or even watching TV shows.
We encourage you, this weekend, to get out and enjoy the beautiful, cooler fall weather we’re having. Take a walk. Read a book — an actual, paper book with pages you can touch. Leave your phone at home, and just enjoy the full, three-dimensional life in front of you with no filters, no spin, no comments to irritate you from people you don’t even know.
We’re sure it’ll refresh you and leave you feeling lighter. After all, life is for the living.