Rayees Ahmad Kumar
Social media is undoubtedly a powerful reality that has transformed the world. It has eliminated distances, brought people closer, and provided everyone with a platform for expression. Today, even an ordinary person can make their voice heard across the globe. Knowledge, news, education, and business everything is now just a click away. This same social media has changed many lives, helped businesses grow, and amplified the voices of the oppressed. If used correctly, it is truly a blessing. However, every light has a shadow, and this shadow represents the darker side of social media. It is a space where reality is often hidden and appearances take center stage. People tend to showcase only the beautiful parts of their lives, while their struggles, pain, and efforts remain behind the scenes. As a result, viewers begin to think that everyone else is happy and successful, which makes them feel inferior. This feeling gradually turns into envy and robs them of their inner peace.
Social media has also led to another dangerous habit, the constant need for approval. Today, people seek their happiness, success, and even identity in likes and followers. Fewer likes lead to sadness, while more likes bring temporary joy. It becomes a cycle in which individuals lose their true selves. They begin to shape themselves according to what others like, rather than who they truly are. Wasting time is another major drawback of social media. Spending hours glued to mobile screens, watching meaningless videos, and engaging in pointless arguments has become a part of daily life. The time that could have been spent pursuing dreams or being with family is slowly slipping away and sadly, we often do not even realize it.
Morally, social media has also weakened us. People criticize others without thinking, use harsh language, and fail to respect one another. We forget that behind every screen is a human being with a heart, emotions, and a life. From a religious perspective as well, social media has become a test. While it helps spread religious teachings, it has also increased hypocrisy and showmanship. Some people perform good deeds only to be seen and appreciated by others. But the truth is that real virtue lies in sincerity, not in display. If we accept the truth, we must admit that social media is neither entirely bad nor entirely good. It is a tool, and its use determines its value. It is like a power in our hands we can use it for good or allow it to harm us. We do not need to abandon social media rather, we need to understand and manage it wisely. We must value our time, purify our intentions, and live our lives in reality rather than through screens. We should remember that the world of social media is temporary, while real life is lasting.
Finally, a truth that shakes the heart one day, all of this will end these posts, likes, and followers will not go with us. Only our actions will remain, along with the truth we lived in our lives. In conclusion, Social media is like a mirror, it reflects what we put into it. If we use it positively, it is a blessing; if misused, it becomes a source of harm and temptation. The choice is yours: are you using social media, or is social media using you?
(The author is a freelancer. He hails from Qazigund and can be reached at [email protected])
