Can we happily live without social media?

Angeliki Sfikas

The big question

On my way to work every morning, I see people on the train, their earphones in and their eyes are glued to their devices. Some are sending emails, others flicking through Facebook, few watching last night’s Instagram stories, scrolling through their Insta feed, because everyone knows, if you don’t Instagram it, it didn’t happen. So here comes the big question: Can we happily live without social media?

Social media and people

Having in mind that there are over 20,000 people logged on to Facebook every second, social media is not considered a trend any longer, but a way of life. An individual will check their phone around 100 times per day and spend a mindless number of hours scrolling through feeds, checking updates and browsing online videos.

The “everyone is doing it” phrase is no longer an excuse but a fact. A perfect example of the necessity for social media is University, in today’s higher education, to participate in a group assignment, it MUST be done through a group facebook page so everyone can delegate tasks if you don’t have a social media presence, the tutor requires you to make one.  If a member of the group does not have an account, there is no way for them to communicate with the rest of the group. Social media connects people in a number of ways from video calls to commenting on Facebook posts, Event invites, even location alerts for when someone is nearby you! Let’s be honest, how many of us sought out old friends from high school and were able to reconnect?

We live, eat, breathe and sleep social media. There is no doubt that social media has revolutionised and completely changed the way we communicate. Social media has replaced the good old TV and radio, now we have whatever we desire just one fingerprint away, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many people cannot imagine a day without their phone or computer and their worst nightmare is to be placed in a country with government censorship on social media or no WIFI!

Social media and business

Interesting enough, social media has become the most popular, cost-efficient marketing platform available today. As a business, understanding your target audience through seeing who follows you on social media is key to identifying how to better communicate and increase your audience. 33% of customers use social media to identify new brands and products every year.

Real-time communication provided by social media helps to generate happy customers who in return would assist in building a successful business brand and increase brand awareness. 78% of small businesses use social media to attract new customers. Social media enables communication at an emotional and personal level which translates into embracing brand values and brand validation.

The answer to the big question

The answer to the big question is yes, we can live without social media, however happily is a different story. There would be difficulties since it is playing a major role in our lives. Like so many other things in life, social media is what you make of it, both online and off, you get what to put into it.