Last week, early in the evening, people suddenly went into a serious panic mode. Not because of a bomb hoax, but because Gtalk, the chat client of Gmail, stopped working suddenly and was dysfunctional for a few hours.
Right after that, Twitter crashed for about an hour. Both these led to a huge ranting string by both the users. Even the users realised that there life has become too attached to social media but there’s nothing they can do about it. It’s almost as if they’re programmed to stay hooked in front of this new, much smarter idiot-box.
But is it really so? Can’t people live without social media? Live a life that is not governed by what you should post and what you should share?
Metrolife asked a few people about their social media addiction and came to a surprisingly bright conclusion.
Akshita Khosla, a literature student at Kamala Nehru College, says, “I am a very
social person but social networking websites are not my cup of tea. It’s fun at times. But it’s not a necessity for me. I’m more of a hanging-out-with-friends-rather-than-texting kind of a person. So social media is not my lifeline but it can be informative at times.”
Akshita Jain, an Economics student in DU, is quite clear about what she wants. “Take away social media but internet is something that I definitely can’t live without!” she exclaims.
For Sanjana Gandhi, a student of Zoology at Sri Venkateswara College, it’s the importance of your online presence that decides your relationship with social media. “I don’t think I can live without it but it more or less depends on how popular your posts, quotes and stuff is online. If it is not read or liked by many people then you’ll lose interest,” she says.
Srishti Tomar, an executive with a digital marketing firm, does realise the importance of the absence of social media. “I can live without social media though I miss it when I can’t access Facebook but I secretly enjoy all my free time.
“It gives me space to call my friends. Social media is an entity in itself. You can like it, not like it, love it or hate it. It’s up to you!”
Smita Malway, a corporate management student says, “Social media is a virtual world created just to interact with masses but it’s your presence in the real world that matters more. Social media has transformed the way people communicate but now bridging gaps in the real world is the challenge.”
Anant Jha, an RJ says, “One can definitely exist without social media but to ‘live’ without it is not possible. I think it is necessary and here to stay.”
Well, it maybe here to stay but people realising the importance of staying away from it, is precisely what the world needs right now.