Why Millennials Are Increasingly Quitting Social Media

Social media controls our life today in a way it has never done before. A large part of the population depends on it for almost everything, from communication to news and entertainment. We're at a stage where social media has almost become an intrinsic part of our existence. The era of social media is far from over and is only expanding rapidly, but in these times as well, a new trend of quitting social media can be noticed among the youth.

The Dark Side Of Social Media 

Excessive use of social media can cause depression, unproductivity and lack of motivation. It can lead to the development of inferiority complex and give rise to a materialistic mentality. The ills of social media are what prompted the concept of social media detox to arise. A detox, in this case, is to detach yourself from social media for a day, or few. Some people go as far as to be quitting social media.

Excessive use of social media can cause depression, unproductivity and lack of motivation.

Though not many, there is a section of youngsters who choose to willingly delete their social media accounts, and abandon their digital lives completely. To most, this might seem incomprehensible but people who have done so, will often look back on their decision with pride and relief, even saying that it has improved the overall quality of their life.

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Negativity Galore

Social media might be informative and keep us connected with our loved ones, but it can bring so much negativity into one's life. This can happen not only from hostile comments that they might receive but also from reading certain posts. Priti Agarwal, a Kolkata based teacher in her early 30s, deactivated her Facebook account when she realized that it never contributed productively to her life. "What happens is, you make some sort of post and the next day, your co-workers are discussing it. That's my private space, and this is my professional. It feels rather strange to have them mixed up like that."

Skewered Perceptions

A lot of people also feel that social media negatively impacts perceptions even in their professional lives. It is no secret that employers look at your social media before hiring you. They are less likely to hire you if they find something questionable about you. Prachi Singh, a college student based in Chennai, commented on how it affects her own opinions about people. "If I like someone, but I see them commenting on some issue... If they have a perspective that's different and opposing to mine, it's hard to see them the same way again. Your opinions about people change a lot based on what they share or post which I don't think is really good." This is especially true when we consider the fact tweets or posts from 2012 or earlier are sometimes dug up and allegations are made upon a person on the basis of words said several years ago.

I used to spend hours scrolling through Facebook and Instagram, but not having them now, the lack of notifications has made me so much more focussed and productive. I'm actually getting things done. - Oli Chatterjee

Lack Of Productivity

Social media fuels procrastination as well. Oli Chatterjee, an undergraduate student from Delhi, expresses how the lack of social media now helps her focus better on things that truly matter. "I used to spend hours scrolling through Facebook and Instagram, but not having them now, the lack of notifications has made me so much more focussed and productive. I'm actually getting things done."

Social media has its fair share of benefits, but it also comes with ills. Several millennials who are opting out of social media are feeling more productive, less negative and insecure, and can see a positive change in their real social life. Their mental health is improving and they feel more fulfilled. Quitting social media, then, seems like a positive change for them.

Picture Credit: Deccan Chronicle

Prapti Sarkar is an intern at SheThePeople.TV. The views expressed are the author's own.