Has Social Media Made Us Anti-Social?

Social media has given us this idea that we should all have a posse of friends when in reality if we have one or two really good friends, we are lucky.

Brene Brown

Facebook friends, Twitter followers, LinkedIn connections; people are obsessed with collecting them, but to what end? What do we hope to gain by planting ourselves behind a computer screen and believing that this is somehow meaningful interaction? Get a grip! Do you really think that hundreds or thousands (in some cases) of social media friends, followers and connections that you’ve never met really give a shit about you? Have you wandered through a cemetery recently? Next time you’re there, read the tombstones and plaques. You’ll find inscriptions like “Beloved husband, father, grandfather…” and “Cherished wife, mother, grandmother”. Not on a single tombstone or plaque does it mention Facebook friend, Twitter follower or LinkedIn connection.

A fixation with connecting with 'friends' online comes with the risk of disconnection with friends waiting for you to be present in the offline world.
Craig Hodges

How much time are you spending online playing the social media numbers game? When was the last time you got together with a friend? I’ve heard people say that they have no time, yet I guarantee that if these people tallied up the time they spend on social media, they’d have plenty of time for friends and friendship. At the end of the day friends, boyfriends/girlfriends, husbands/wives, parents, grandparents and children are the only things that really matter. And, the one thing they have in common is love. 

Love doesn’t make the world go ‘round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

Franklin P. Jones

Get out from behind that computer screen and call someone you love. Get together for a walk, a meal, a drink...it doesn’t really matter as long as you get together in the real world and spend meaningful time together. None of us knows how much time we have on this planet, so don’t waste it!

Make someone smile today. Tell them you love them.

Geri