Consequences of Social Media Replacing Reading

A reader lives a thousand lives before he or she dies, according to George R. R. Martin. A person who never reads only has one life. The simple act of reading a book has brought happiness to humans for thousands of years. Reading may take you on new adventures in anything from mystery to romance. Many people in society take pleasure in the fact that they dislike reading and say it is a thing of the past. They see a future filled with prominent internet media figures and the newest, sexiest fashion trends. But looking back on the past is the best way to build the future. A time when reading was a simple joy. a time when you could hop on your sofa and go anywhere in the globe. The relentless pursuit of perfection and mindless scrolling, however, dominate modern civilization. Striving, which results in sadness, anxiety, and separation from others. The greatest acclaim is now generally reserved for individuals who have a million Instagram followers and lead a glamorous lifestyle, rather than those who write amazing redemptive tales or get to the top of the world. What happened to this innocent love of reading? If someone gains the entire world but loses their soul, what good is that? (Mark 8:36). The simple pleasure of reading a good book has been surpassed by the social media platforms of today.

Several hours of the day are spent on social media. Hannah Natanson says that this statement is accurate since “12th graders reported dedicating roughly six hours of their leisure time each day to digital media in 2016. Students in the eighth grade reported dedicating four hours, while those in the tenth reported five (Natanson 11). These pupils engage in such activities, putting their thoughts and time to use. Students have developed an addiction to the rapid pleasure that social media provides to the globe, whether it is browsing through endless highlight reels or watching other individuals for no other reason than sheer amusement. How long until kids wish to experience the constantly shifting events of life? Small opportunities to develop personally, as opposed to being misled and falling for well designed, commercial campaigns that specifically target teenagers? What can be done, then, to combat this harmful addiction? How can a parent persuade their kid to give up social media and start reading a book instead? According to Daniel Willingham, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia and the author of “Raising Kids Who Read,” the answer “may entail a delicate dance between force and suggestion” (Natanson 18). Force is not the solution, according to this scholar. Without giving them a choice, forcing a youngster to perform anything usually results in antipathy to that activity. Therefore, a parent should provide their children more opportunity to switch from their phone to a book. The greatest next step, for instance, is to scatter books about the home so the youngster has the choice to read. One way to go from not reading at all to utterly appreciating the literature they once scoffed at is to develop tiny routines that inspire long-lasting commitments.

Social media usage significantly affects mental health. According to Natanson (16), “Social Media use has been demonstrated to contribute to greater social isolation and mental health difficulties.” As a result, instead of only “healing” boredom, these media actually contribute to a rise in mental health problems. A teenager who feels excluded from their buddy group and turns to their phone for solace is a wonderful illustration of the price tag of these activities. All of their friends’ social media posts about how much fun they are having, or simply just seeing other people’s incredible friendships, might lead them into a downward cycle of self-loathing and social isolation. Such occurrences have the ability to ruin friendships and have a long-lasting impact on one’s self-esteem. These teenagers are setting themselves on a course leading to ultimate disaster rather than empathizing with characters in a novel and learning empathy. According to HelpGuide, humans are sociable animals and need other people’s company to flourish. Stress, worry, and sadness would be commonplace without this kind of link. HelpGuide adds that although social media may be a terrific way to meet new people from across the globe, it cannot take the place of genuine human contact and connection. On a more serious note, social media causes anxiety, encourages envy of other people’s lives, and makes those using it feel uneasy. People only post about the highlights of their life since these mediums are based on highlight reels. In other words, social media sites like Instagram and Facebook discourage authenticity and only value perfection. Even if you are aware that the photographs you are seeing on social media have been altered, they may nevertheless cause you to feel anxious about your appearance or the circumstances of your own life (HelpGuide 6). However, reading literature offers insight into both the good and bad sides of life. displaying the real, as opposed to just the flashy, colors of the world. Cyberbullying is another horrifying drawback of using social media. This is because those who are hiding behind a screen are more prone to disseminate untruths, tell lies, or verbally harass others. According to statistics, 10% of teenagers say they have experienced cyberbullying (HelpGuide 10). demonstrating how utilizing such platforms may corrupt a person’s psyche and lead them to believe that it is appropriate to pull down others in order to elevate oneself, while in fact individuals should climb by elevating others. These unfavorable remarks never fully go away, both literally and psychologically, since they are posted for everyone to see. A breeding environment is usually created for others to feed the fire and verbally assault others with their vile comments after someone attacks someone else behind a screen. This kind of harm cannot be caused by reading a book since a book cannot assault someone by opening its lips wide. The development of an egocentric perspective as a result of exposure to these media is yet another harmful psychological effect. Continuously shooting and refining selfies, sharing your opinions in hopes of receiving favorable feedback—these are behaviors that feed such a mindset. Overall, social media may facilitate social interaction, but it cannot substitute for genuine human interaction and the development of virtues that last a lifetime.

Reading books may bring about both pleasures and advantages. According to Sarah Digiulio, “Reading has been found to help us better comprehend and communicate with other people, keep our minds sharp, broaden our world views, and evolve as individuals, Green adds,” in her article “Why ‘getting lost in a book’ is so beneficial for you, according to research.” “Stories give us a sense of community and belonging to something greater than ourselves.” (4) DiGiulio As a result, the simple act of reading a good book helps individuals develop lasting habits that permeate all aspects of their lives. Because books cover such a wide variety of genres, readers often develop a broad sense of empathy, leading to a greater knowledge of what others experience, what makes them tick, and how they may develop as individuals by taking lessons from the errors of others. Reading books really encourages social interaction, pushing readers to become better people at home and in social situations, in contrast to the negative impact that social media has on social skills. Reading gives readers joy by serving as an escape from boredom or stress and promoting healthy brain function. It also brings tranquillity and inner peace. “Reading may provide us a feeling of belongingness that we all intuitively crave as human beings, according to Green,” rather than encouraging solitude (DiGiulio 11). The aforementioned claim also supports the notion that people are social creatures at heart. The solution is not to hide behind a screen, therefore. Shira Gabriel, PhD, an assistant professor of psychology at UB, said, “Social connection is a strong, human need. Anytime we feel connected to people, we feel good in general and feel good about our life (DiGiulio 13). One gets the sensation of belonging they desire for when they connect with others, which has a real positive effect on the mind and soul. This degree of inclusion and the fulfillment of the genuine, fundamental sensation of connection cannot be achieved by scrolling or likes. Reading “[stimulates] the neural networks in the brain that increase our social cognition and conceptual comprehension of abstract knowledge,” according to research on brain function (DiGiulio 19). Reading books stimulates the brain to learn new things by inundating it with fresh information. The simple act of reading a book enhances attention and concentration while also sharpening the memory. Reading further activates the brain since it helps with basic life skills like speaking and writing. Reading is thus among the best hobbies for both mental and emotional wellbeing.

People’s greatest qualities are consumed by social media, but taking the time to read a good book may bring those qualities out. It is abundantly clear that reading has a good effect on the brain and personality. Even while it is a means to broaden one’s mental horizons, this pastime is capable of much more. Reading has been shown to increase people’s empathy levels and become a preferred past time. However, social media has often not had as much of an impact on a person’s development. The cloud of perfection seems to hang over those who spend all their time reading through countless pictures of other people’s lives. So, finding comfort in life’s quieter moments while simultaneously embarking on a new adventure might help to reduce the tension and worry of daily living. Reading may lead to a whole new world for those who take the time to open the door to it, whether they choose a book of adventure or even the Bible.