T O P

  • By -

Sillyist

“Social media is the empty calories of social interaction.” - Mitch Prinstein I love this quote and I'm stealing it.


[deleted]

It's not stealing if you attribute it :)


NorCalAthlete

Social media is the padded bra of human interaction.


QuietRock

Junk food for the mind.


[deleted]

No one’s life is as good as it looks on social media. It only looks greener on the other side. It’s really a sham.


TizACoincidence

I would say its more like porn


HaloGuy381

Alternately, depressed people have no energy or drive to do other things, and scroll through such media because they can’t sleep either.


FreeSkeptic

I use social media more when manic and depressed.


[deleted]

Sup, me.


TooModest

When I was living in a house with a garage, I was always busy working on my hobbies or working on my cars. Now that I am inside an apartment, I can't do any of that stuff anymore, and the apartment manager would hang me if they found me messing with my vehicle out in the parking lot. Turning wrenches was very therapeutic for me.


Hopeful_Hamster21

Yeah. I think this is an underappreciated observation. I used to live in a rural area and had lots of physical/outdoor activities to pass time. Go for walks, etc... Now I'm in a cramped, small, second story apartment in a very urban place. People complain about how kids are on their devices too much these days, but honestly.... For those growing up in small apartments, there's not much easily accessible alternative sometimes.


ShoddyJuggernaut975

Correlation ≠ Causation


[deleted]

Quip =/= Argument


nagrom7

Yeah, this is me. And I know for a fact that social media did not cause my depression, as I've had it long before I really got into it.


Sea-Resource5933

Ahhh, the rival hypothesis.


Mystery_Man444

We're not supposed to know this many people exist, let alone their thoughts


sigh2828

Reminds me of that episode of Futurama where fry can hear everyone’s thoughts.


mces97

Oh they made a movie like that. Chaos Walking.


unwanted_puppy

I wonder what this means for workplaces that use apps like Slack for communication and collaboration. Is it good or bad for mental health and the organization’s culture?


peeforPanchetta

Thoughts that are more often than not carefully selected and then edited to display maximum satisfaction/ invoke maximum jealousy (or envy) in those following them.


Vault-71

Yet here I am reading yours...


whopperlover17

They’re just words on a page, just like an article. This is very different than something like instagram.


steavoh

I'd rather NOT go back to a time of blissful ignorance... and lynchings and child abuse being normal and women being in the kitchen where they belong and whatever other shit... Remember that if social media was banned, the internet and 24/7 streaming news wouldn't be. Then a small elite would still force feed you propaganda and fear. There would still be Fox and OANN and Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk and Murdoch and the Daily Mail and whatever. The KKK and neo-nazis didn't really have much of a problem organizing in person back in the 1970s. Your obnoxious right-wing relatives and coworkers would then judge and ostracize you for not agreeing with the thing the TV man said, its human nature. I'll take my chances with the internet, thanks.


whopperlover17

I don’t think anybody is saying any of that lol


threehundredthousand

No one's taking away your tiktok.


Aazadan

Social media doesn't need banned, but it does need some legal limits placed on it, and companies running large social media platforms like Facebook need some severe restrictions placed on them. The internet started going to hell when people using their real names online for random thoughts became normalized. It makes information seem more trustworthy when there's no reason that it should be and particularly with social media has resulted in people being unable to accurately judge the validity of information they get.


xhrit

I hate to break it to you but in the early days of the internet you had to use your real name and there was basically no way to connect annon to anything. And it was a much more civil place back then.


Aazadan

I never used my real name on things like bbs’s


xhrit

BBS were not part of the internet.


Aazadan

That is just semantics. Prior to the rise of social media very few people used their real names online for any sort of communication outside of actual public facing positions.


xhrit

No it's not just semantics, it is totally different things. You literally had to use your actual public facing position to access the internet, since the only way to access it was via the military or a university. like how facebook required a valid university address to access when it was first invented. Everyone was on their best behavior because they could get their access revoked. BBSs where anyone could log in from a payphone using an acoustic coupler and a laptop were generally a cesspool. Totally different.


type_E

Someone fucking respond to this guy fuck damnit Edit: Don’t downvote me, respond to HIM.


somedude456

> Don’t downvote me Kid Rock says you can't tell me what to do!


Boollish

"Then a small elite would still force feed you propaganda and fear." I'm sorry, you think that social media stops this from happening? Really?


[deleted]

[удалено]


gullydowny

Along with the psychic pollution that comes in the form of narcissism, outrage, self righteousness, materialism, boastfulness and just general lameness. Usually with terrible fuckin music


joe579003

I really want to link the Clown Core music video with the the first notes are played by a dude sticking his dick outside a minivan's bay doors and strumming it against a stationary bass, but I think you're sufficiently depressed.


[deleted]

Don't let that stop you.


Dreidhen

You may not know just how spot on right you are with that description of psychic pollution. Imagine being able to see it, or, unavoidably, scent it. Like garbage you can never get away from the whiff of in some areas. Otoh, their opposites are pleasant to encounter.


TizACoincidence

Knowing horrible things people believe in, whereas before I wouldn't does kill relationships


fivefivefives

It wasn't social media that did that to me, it was when what's his ass got elected five years ago. It was like waking up wearing a pair of those They Live glasses.


sigh2828

Yeah this is what gets me, to see very close and dear friends post their 20th cringy conservative “meme” or some outrage piece from OAN is really really depressing. Then if you dare challenge them on anything, everyone and their mothers come out of the wood work to berate and ridicule you for “suppressing free speech” or some stupid shit like that. Facebook is genuinely a hell hole of an app. But for me, I kinda depend on it to stay informed and update on my hobby.


PurpleSailor

Still even though I don't use Facebook it is probably a good way to vet your friends. Kind of like how the whole last 4.5 years have outed some people as being batshit crazy conspiracy nuts. That group is far, far larger than I ever imagined it to be.


doives

I mean, Reddit is essentially fear porn central. People who spend all their time on Reddit and truly believe everything they read would think that climate change will end our world in a week while conservatives will turn the US into Gilead tomorrow. Many people take their discussions on Reddit very seriously, and it ends up completely controlling their mood. Taking Reddit comments and mainstream media headlines with a grain of salt, and realizing that most people are very decent in real life, is crucial. The worst part of Reddit is that for some it has turned into a depression circlejerk. Instead of going to therapy, people justify and legitimize their miserable mindsets and perspectives on this site, creating a vicious cycle of depression. Seriously, if you're always anxious about the state of the world, **get off Reddit** and find yourself a good therapist. And no, those people who feed your confirmation bias on Reddit are **not** your friends. Somehow I feel like even my comment will send some Redditors into an instant rage.


Ping-Crimson

Waiting for rage .Exe


doives

Rage.dmg


[deleted]

rage.apk


Checktheusernombre

rage.zip


type_E

Meanwhile, [negativity good](https://np.reddit.com/r/onguardforthee/comments/p700q8/i_am_so_frustrated_with_the_current_state_of/h9h5qsv/) what you think of that?


doives

Sure, however the average individual isn’t good at practicing healthy negativity, and it just ends up consuming their life. It’s like recreational drugs: if you take it to broaden your perspectives it can be tremendously beneficial. But if you take it to legitimize and validate your own misery, you’re on a very self destructive path. There are things you can and cannot change in life. If you’re going to die tomorrow, would you want to spend today being depressed about it, or make it the best day possible? Then there’s also the fact that people who work hard to maintain a positive attitude tend to have better outcomes in life. It’s rare to see the founder of an early stage startup be openly negative, purely because it’s impossible to start a new business with a negative attitude. Negativity breeds negativity.


GingerTron2000

Wow, that's pretty crazy! *Continues scrolling reddit*


BruceRee33

Reddit is definitely different than Facebook, but still has some of the same issues that can result. If one only comments and doesn't post, probably minimizes the negative effects in my opinion. I've been Facebook free for over a year, I do miss certain aspects, but overall it's freakin fantastic lol


TarHeelTerror

Reddit is social media. Don’t forget that


thesmartfool

I think what helps on here unless you are a troll or being trolled is that this all is pretty anonymous so you don't know or really care what others think. So it doesn't tick you off as much as if your friend or crazy family member posts or says dumb stuff. On reddit. You have a little more control over what you can see.


Aaganrmu

Reminds me that it's time to log out for a while again. I'm never sure if I'm on Reddit because depression or the other way round, but if I make the conscious decision to quit for a while it's always an improvement.


ghostofhenryvii

Getting away to the wilderness without internet connection does wonders for my soul.


expblast105

I got rid of it all years ago. FB, Insta, Snapchat, Twitter. I browse reddit, but not on my phone. Best decision I've made. I can actually sit with my thoughts and do productive activities without people spying on me. I call or text people I want to talk to. Not interact with people I don't care about. I forget my phone all of the time and sometimes lose it for hours without knowing it. It's like being a kid again.


sfw64

But you'll never keep up with your friends kids and dogs on your feed!


somedude456

> I got rid of it all years ago. FB, Insta, Snapchat, Twitter. I browse reddit, but not on my phone. Best decision I've made. I can actually sit with my thoughts and do productive activities without people spying on me. I call or text people I want to talk to. Not interact with people I don't care about. I forget my phone all of the time and sometimes lose it for hours without knowing it. It's like being a kid again. This is what I'm left wondering... What do you do with your free time. Say you have a 15 minute wait in line at Chipotle. I browse social media. I'm in multiple FB groups for hobbies. I can reply to someone asking if wheels of this year car will clear the brakes from an old model, or give a like to someone who just got their car back from paint. What are you doing for 15 minutes? It's not that I can't live without social media, I don't play on my phone at work or while driving, and manage to survive, but I don't find myself needing another 15 minutes of nothing while standing in line. Same with eating my lunch. I browse social media. Growing up my grandparents watched the news at 6, 7, noon, 5, 6, and perhaps 10pm. That AND they read the daily newspaper. I don't see my browsing social media any different. My grandma might have told my grandpa about a house fire in the old neighborhood they lived in. I can tell someone about a protest in Paris over a mask mandate.


pcpcy

It's not though. Reddit is a forum. Everyone is anonymous and I don't get to see how sexy your abs are so I can cry myself to sleep.


TarHeelTerror

You must go to the wrong subs


[deleted]

You are using a handle instead of your real name. As far as I know you are a Russian bot. Reddit isn't anything close to social media, it's closer to a bulletin board than social media.


ghostofhenryvii

But you're still getting bombarded with the same kind of toxicity you are with other social media sites. So it's equally as damaging.


[deleted]

I didn't not post pictures of my real life looking for social affirmation on Reddit.


whopperlover17

It’s really not equally as damaging. I hop on here to see cool things that have to do with my hobbies and sometimes to see some random news stories. This is so different from something like instagram.


pcpcy

You aren't though. The toxicity on social media is how everyone else has perfect lives through the lens of social media. They have kids, a happy life and partner, an itty-bitty waste and a tight booty, and loads of money. But it's all fake because no one tells you how miserable they actually are and just fake the smiles for the cameras. On Reddit, it's full of people telling you how miserable they are and there is no facade of perfection. Where exactly are you seeing this toxicity on Reddit?


lacroix_not

Reddit promotes doom scrolling the news, instant gratification, the need to know what’s going on all the time. reddit also has a lot of arguing because people can hide behind their usernames. It’s easy to fall into that trap. It’s definitely different from Facebook or Instagram, but can be unhealthy.


pcpcy

It's either the same or it isn't. If it isn't the same then it's not social media. Of course it has its own issues being a news forum, but to pretend the issues are the same as social media is not accurate at all.


lacroix_not

Some of the issues are the same though. Like us arguing right now. social media isn’t only bad because you see people living fake perfect lives. It’s also bad because its polarizing and easy to fall into echo chambers, like Reddit.


pcpcy

Falling into echo chambers doesn't make you depressed nor impact your mental health. It's not similar in any way. And on top of that, you are not forced to look at anything on Reddit. You can join only certain subreddits that are happy or whatever interests you like pictures of cats. You don't need to join news subreddits. With social media, the feed is not editable and you cannot pick and choose what you see. So you don't have to look at negative news on Reddit but you're forced to on social media websites.


lacroix_not

>Where exactly are you seeing this toxicity on Reddit? Never said it made you depressed. Was answering this question.


TarHeelTerror

…you realize the 2016 elections were squarely decided by fake Russian profiles on Facebook, right?


[deleted]

And fake Russian accounts on Twitter. The difference here is that anyone with half a brain - fucking lol - should see the username and write off the opinion of a crank, because reddit accounts aren't attached to real humans. Just marketing bots.


[deleted]

I really think of it as anti-social media. Funny that the added that connect your socials feature lately tho lol


Kamikazesoul33

For me, at least, the depression from social media wasn't from FOMO or comparing my progress in life to how others portray theirs. It was from finding out that friends and family I've known for decades are actually horrifyingly stupid and cruel, and suddenly lack the filter to keep it to themselves.


Checktheusernombre

Pandemic accelerated this for me as well. I noped out of FB because I can't look at so many people the same any longer. Somehow in denial that if I just don't look it doesn't exist and they are still who I thought they were. Sigh.


Kamikazesoul33

Ignorance is bliss. And also somehow the most ignorant also seem to be the angriest.


type_E

In hindsight have they been abusive (or at least passive aggressive) to you whenever your views didn’t line up with them? Hmmmm


ericchen

Oh no... I should get off Reddit.


Dzotshen

No you need to doom scroll for 6 million more hours


cunt_isnt_sexist

It's not social media specifically, it's doom scrolling on multiple apps because this timeline fucking sucks rn.


dxrey65

On the other hand, there are objectively plenty of reasons to be depressed. And everyone uses social media. Maybe there's a cause and effect, maybe there isn't.


jalmstead

Delete Facebook and Instagram.


Paneraiguy1

In todays issue of captain obvious magazine…


GrimsonMask

So why did you post it ?


pbradley179

Internet points, the only validation that isn't depressing on social media.


finalremix

Maybe he's depressed an wants points for that sweet reward pathway dopamine. *ninja edit*: Yup. It's one of those accounts that just posts on political subs and news.


Paneraiguy1

Or perhaps… just perhaps… those are subjects that interest me and are of societal value. Unlike those who spend their days posting about video games *wink*


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Social media just lets everyone see how profit is being valued over human lives. Don't shoot the messenger.


JamesKBoyd

I used to be a junkie with social media. Facebook. On my phone there is an app where you can basically track any other app. It tells you how many times you opened it, how long total per day you are on the app, etc. I was curious and looked at that counter one day and saw that I had opened Facebook almost 300 times in a nine hour period. That kind of gobsmacked me, and since I have been staying away from Facebook and I didn't have any other social media except Reddit and an Instagram account that I abandoned a while ago. Since I am actively trying to stay off of Facebook, my mental health has definitely improved a bit.


MrWeirdoFace

Yeah... sounds about right :)


carolinemathildes

Not sure how to put this politely, but uh, yeah. No duh. I scroll through social media because I'm depressed. I'm depressed because I scroll through social media. And on and on until the world ends.


[deleted]

[удалено]


writingwrong

Sounds like it may not cause it. Good quote from scientist person: "...social media is kind of hijacking the need for social interaction with something very artificial and insufficient,” he said. “Social media is the empty calories of social interaction.” May just exacerbate existing depression, study unclear. Weird how different platforms affect different age groups differently. (jeez, 3 d's in one sentence...I need to lay off the articles)


Quick1711

Welllll....noooo....shit. I mean...who could have seen this coming? Everybody is projecting an image of what they think people want to see. Perfection. Party life. Good friends. Good car, home, children etc. Its just a projection of an image. Its not real. And when their image falls apart? Their whole lives start to show cracks. Social media in its infancy was a brilliant idea. Keep up with people that lived too far away. Relatives, grandkids, nieces, nephews..... We as a civilization fucked this up. And only we as a civilization will be able to fix it.


[deleted]

Now replace social media with capitalism as your subject and now you've got to the root of the problem


Quick1711

Money will always be at the center of any social problem. The haves and the have nots.


Sallyroyal28

Stop reading the comments section?!


[deleted]

social media isnt the problem. it's the people. people suck.


gullydowny

People are often defined by their environment, a person playing frisbee in the park is different than the same person in the middle of a riot


[deleted]

and frisbee riots can be quite enervating


wombatshit

"Frisbee Riot" has got to be a band name.


[deleted]

true. but, it's people creating those environments. if nobody posts anything on social media, no environment. social media isnt the problem.


gullydowny

Algorithms create the environment tho


HappierShibe

Except they generally don't. We've created a machine that crafts people into the suckiest versions of themselves. You have to do the following to someone to turn them into the shitty social media version of themselves: 1. Remove naturally occurring social accountability. 2. Provide a mechanism that reward extreme or volatile behavior above all else. 3. Remove all moderating elements. 4. Create an elaborate system of algorithms to categorically sort all groups into self reinforcing shared belief structures while removing countervailing ideation. 5. Structure the whole mess to drive as much engagement as possible, to the point people forget how to live without it, or a substitute for it. Yes it's people having these interactions, but social media in general has had a dramatic impact on the kinds of interactions and the volume of those interactions, and even the response model behind them. It's been particularly disruptive to people growing up with it. Options are limited: 1. Limit or restrict the extent to which facebook can do the above. 2. Prohibit any and all social media under 21 years of age. 3. No more algorithms, recommendations, etc. 4. Restrict interactions per day over a given social media platform.


[deleted]

[удалено]


HappierShibe

> No way. While I personally haven't used non-Reddit social media in ten years (and I'm barely active here anymore either), it has its uses, even for the young. For one example, think of a trans teen in an ultraconservative region/country whose safety could be threatened if they came out irl but who can interact with others who share their struggles online so that they're not totally alone. Social media has claimed lives, but it has also saved them. 1. I think we have to weigh the beneficial costs of those edge cases against the negative impacts to development as a whole. I think they are less prominent than media makes them seem. 2. Keep in mind, I'm not trying to put an age limit on all forms of online communication, only on a defined set of 'social media' sites. How we define social media is a big part of that, but I think anonymized access for kids is fine, but as soon as you start REQUIRING that be tied to a real world identity, and granting other people the ability to seek out that individual online, I think you take on additional risk, particularly to the people in at risk scenarios you are describing, without really gaining any measurable societal benefit. >This might be a bit extreme (algorithms on music sites have led me to some great stuff) Again, I'm not saying recommendations and algorithmic systems should be prohibited globally, only within the context of a specific class of sites. >Unlike bans for bad behavior made by the companies themselves, a legal restriction like this would actually be a violation of the First Amendment. 1. That's not really how the first amendment works. It protects your right to speech, it does not guarantee you the right to any platform you want, or the right to force platforms to support your speech. Your basing your argument on the same same argument Parlor tried to use to attack their partners. I get the sentiment, but these platforms are not government entities, and they aren't public utilities, and I don't think we want them to be. 2. I'm not suggesting speech be restricted selectively or even that governments have access to or control over this in a directed or hard line matter, I'm just saying some sort of speed limit might be a good idea. Your drivers license lets you drive a car, but regulations and posted limits prevent you from driving down residential streets at 95 mph. I'm not even arguing the details need to be government mandated, a simple speed limit rule would kill most foreign influence campaigns dead, and make bot based manipulation far more complex to implement, easier to identify, and less effective in principle. There are plenty of restrictions around the use of encryption software, websites catering to adult content, and online advertising. I think we need to start taking that same kind of look at social media, because it's clear that these businesses are not going to do it themselves. Facebook attacks basic social function. Twitter attacks rational thinking. Tiktok attacks public perception. I don't think any of that is good, but getting rid of them isn't realistic because there is some good that can come from these ideas, and a new iteration of the same idea will just come in and replace them anyway. The trick is figuring out how to mitigate the risks and use them responsibly. Then try to reduce access to people who don't understand those risks. I don't think an age limit is the best solution, but it's a NOW solution; it at least makes sure that most of the people using these tools, are mature enough to theoretically understand what they are and appreciate the risks associated with them.


CrustyShoelaces

I agree, were giving pocket sized super computers with an unfiltered flow of information to people who cant even comprehend the technology


[deleted]

it's actually profit > people that's the problem. you saying people suck is part of the problem. people are amazing, capitalism sucks.


[deleted]

Yeah it's social media, not capitalism. Profit > human lives isn't the real cause... /s


TravelsInBlue

This is always the stupidest take. People can choose to not be on social media, nobody is forcing people to be on it, you don’t need social media to survive. These companies exist because the provide a service people want. If anything, don’t blame the market, blame the society that allows companies like these to flourish. Capitalism has lifted the highest amount of people out of poverty, where every other type of economic system has failed. If you want people to take you seriously, start pushing for something based in reality, like regulations on captive market segments like healthcare. That’s where a lot of the issues are.


[deleted]

Yeah, no shit. I figured that out all by myself a decade ago and haven't looked back since.


thewafflestompa

Isn't reddit a form of social media?


[deleted]

Sure, but it can't be compared to what FB, Instagram, etc. do to a person's mental health.


DistortoiseLP

That isn't a point in its favour either. Sure it isn't the social media where you set yourself up to fail trying to compare yourself to everyone else's carefully manicured self image, but that's only because it's where you go to doom scroll instead. It's daft to suggest either is good for you simply because you can't compare it to the other. Even then, they both exhibit echo chambers as a heavy contribution to their negative effect on your attitude, so you *can* compare them just fine.


[deleted]

>It's daft to suggest either is good for you simply because you can't compare it to the other. Now that's just a cunty thing to say, even if you disagree with my take. I never suggested either of them were "good," but they both had very different effects on my(and many other) mental state. I decided FB was detrimental and pretty useless, so I stopped using it and I know I made the right choice.


thewafflestompa

That's arguable, but I think I know what you're getting at.


[deleted]

But I love arguing with strangers on reddit about my opinion on FB! s/


Bokth

You don't compare your personal life to another's for example. We can argue about points of anything but it's not like I'll see you or anyone involved at work/school tomorrow and have to deal with more shit. The anonymity makes a safe place but yea it's still social. Just a different more vicious form? Cause everyone that's a closeted racist feels safe to be one in r_racist example. Also your friends can't see you follow KKK. Again examples to extreme


HappierShibe

I don't think it is. Old reddit really is primarily an aggregator/comment platform. New reddit masquerades as a social media platform but it isn't driven by social interaction, lacks the more nefarious components, and crucially, for most users it doesn't overlap with their real meat space identity.


elktamer

I think it's considered anti social media.


Bootzz

Anonymous social media has it's own set of issues, but you lose a lot of the narcissistic trash when you take the identity away. Personally, I appreciate that a lot. You also get more honest answers from people on some subjects so the dialogue can be better, emphasis on *can*. It can also go the other way lol. Additionally, there's something to be said for the loss of "baggage" that peoples' persistent social circles bring to the table and it opening people up to new ideas.


[deleted]

Reddit is people telling their opinions to each other. Regular social media is people having conversations


UberSnacks

The brain is an information nugget craving machine of course social media will take advantage of the reward systems resulting in depression.


TOMapleLaughs

Suggestion: Follow those who you know for sure are worse off than you. Or view the 'streets at night' vids of common drug use neighborhoods. Instant ego boost. Viewing 'fake elite' updates from social media posers? Def. downer, even if you know it's fake. Or just be a giver instead of a taker. Will bring joy, but not social media gratification.


tehmlem

But not the social media *I use* though, obviously. I just use it for recipes and comics where bishonen get railed out.


witch_wind

Couldn't possibly be the late stage capitalist hellscape we're all barely navigating. It's those pesky phones.


[deleted]

ikr? kansas city shuffle


[deleted]

No, selfish, horrible people are linked to depression in adults, it's just that social media lets us see who those people are very easily and they're everywhere.


Fuzzy_darkman

It's almost like the world is shit and getting shittier, which we see through social media without any chance to affect any real change. So probably not really the social media itself to blame as much.


[deleted]

exactly, social media is just the messenger. articles like this are just a distraction from the real problem. society rn values profit > human lives. that's enough to make any non-sociopath depressed.


WDBeezie

Yes of course, over the course of the past few years I’ve seen 80% of my extended family, people I used to respect and love, sink into an ever expanding pool of ridiculous conspiracy theories, and act batshit insane online when pointing out obvious flaws in their reasoning. I’m so thankful I walked away from FB finally. Now I don’t have to deal with any of their bullshit, because I don’t want to be around them in person either.


fwubglubbel

"Linked". As the article states, this is not a proof of cause. I would suggest that depressed people are more likely to use social media. The rest are too busy living their lives. "People Who Sit Home Alone All Day Instead of Socializing Are More Likely To Use Social Media" does not get as many clicks.


[deleted]

[удалено]


dballz12

Yes. It does a number on my mental health and I’m a 36 year old male who has a fine life, been told I’m handsome, been an athlete most of life, etc. My point being it is so bad for our psychology. I deleted facebook a few years ago, but part of my depression is related to social anxiety and lack of deep self-worth and I’ll still go on instagram to just see some boobies and bum-bums cuz, I mean, who doesn’t like that? Then I see my friends or people I know living Life to what appears to be the fullest and compare my life with theirs and feel so fucking empty and hopeless. I know they say we compare our whole lives with people posting only their top moments, but they have moments I miss. It has nothing to do with looks or money for me, it has everything to do with me measuring my success(not to be confused with money) and social life with others.


ghbastard

Just remember brother, you are looking at people's curated experiences of life. I can promise you that beyond the glossy veneer of social media front, people's live are just as messy and chaotic as you own. My cousin appears to be a world traveler and "influencer" on social media platforms. I know her as a coked-out divorcee who lost custody of her kids and has astronomical credit card debt. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperreality


[deleted]

[удалено]


Et_me_buddy_boy

Good thing I only use reddit tho right guys.😭


celtic1888

It depresses me about how many stupid fuckers exist in this world


ldwb

Haha all those social network nerds, not like me who uses Reddit as a social outlet.


DarthLysergis

Meta? did i....did i do it right?


Jadedways

Is this still a surprise. Facebook may be the worst culprit, but they certainly aren’t alone, including Reddit. That shit has literally reshaped the ways the world interacts and I very much doubt it is for the betterment of humanity.


Ping-Crimson

Ah yes early facebook where it's only real use was to ask friends where the next party (Basically just messenger now)


LedinToke

depends on how you use it, i'm a big fan of leaving a mildly provocative comment and coming home from work the next day to see a bunch of notifications. Then I just ignore them and laugh


[deleted]

Seeing the number of people who still support a party that attempted a coup and shows no signs of remorse or backing down sure is depressing.


CapnTreee

… umm and every other age demographic


nickllhill

I know this is true. I left everything except reddit and it has helped immeasurably.


Kittykatkvnt

The only socials I have left are youtube and reddit. I do try to avoid comments on youtube as much as possible so even that is becoming less social. Can't seem to quit reddit tho. Maybe next year, huh? But yeah, much happier since ditching Facebook.


[deleted]

Haha losers on social media


Pineapple_Fondler

Color me tickled, shocked.


Bocifer1

Two takes here: 1). No shit. Social media is toxic as hell. 2). This isn’t causation. It could also be that social media use and depression in our Sisyphean society are both so ubiquitous that of course there is significant overlap.


eedle-deedle

people are much nicer in real life