I think it's fair to say in recent years our generation has embraced the world of technology , with sites such as Facebook and Twitter shaping our everyday routines as we procrastinate for hours learning every detail about those around us, whilst frequently updating our statuses so we too appear to be loving life. Yet is this real , or has the 'technological revolution' created a new expectation of reality as we feel we all need to be 'keeping up with the joneses' ?
The internet is used everyday by billions of people worldwide, and through the growth of smart phones in the last 5-6 years access to the internet and social media lay right at our fingertips. Although, recently I have found myself wondering whether social media is really worth it, of course I enjoy using sites such as Instagram and Twitter, but as my usage has increased the cracks in their appearance begin to show. Thorough social media I have found develops a new stereotype that we all feel we need to live up because we too want to be accepted into the world of Tumblr, the world of pretty vintage Instagram and hang out with the 'cool kids on Twitter' and slowly but surely we find ourselves almost in a mid-teen state of insecurity as we act a way that we feel would please others rather than following our own individual pursuits.
Of course, this isn't necessarily a bad thing as we learn to communicate through social media which appears to be shaping our everyday world as more and more opportunities arise through blogs, YouTube and Instagram that we wouldn't have had access to before. Personally, in the last year I have become a frequent user of Instagram and have now developed my own style of ig, adding my own personal twist on the popular, vintage and pretty theme. However, when I first started I feel I became a victim to the expectation of behaviour on Instagram as I would take pictures of soap and glory or lushbath bombs against a Cath Kidston background , because I was so desperate to be like the girls who had 10,000 followers. Although , with the increase of Instagram and Twitter followers would it be wrong to say that prejudices have natural developed between young people ? I think it would be accurate to say we appear to judge people on their followers rather than them as a person, for example if someone had 500 followers as opposed to 10,000 we would view them as less inferior, but is this right or do you think it's natural ?
I am aware that many of you may not agree with the views I have expressed in this post but I feel that technology has really effected our generation, as no longer is it viewed as an escape from our everyday insecurities and pressures but a virtual world of prejudice, stereotyping and unrealistic expectations that we feel pressured to live up to. So next time you post a photo on Instagram, a post on Twitter or a comment on Facebook just remember to be yourself because individuality is unique and important amongst a materialistic world.
Jess
x
