Social media is supposed to be a place where people connect, share ideas, and have fun, I remember a time when I was searching for a school mate then, I quickly rush to Facebook to search for her and I get her back, social media is a way to talk to friends, post memories, and stay updated with what is happening around us, it has become a big part of our lives because some people even depend on it for business or information but like everything that has both good and bad sides, social media also has its dark side.
If I ever had the power to ban one social media platform for life, my choice would be Instagram, I know that sounds serious but honestly, Instagram has caused more harm than good in some ways, the main reason is the fake lifestyle it promotes and the pressure it puts on people.
Instagram is full of lie in my opinion because when you open it, all you see are beautiful pictures, perfect bodies, luxury trips, expensive food, and big smiles, everyone seems to be living a dream life but deep down, we all know that most of it is not real, people post only what they want others to see not what they are truly going through, many use filters to hide their flaws, edit their pictures to look perfect and pretend everything is fine when it’s not.
The sad thing is how easily people fall for it, you start scrolling and before you know it you begin to compare your life with others, you see someone living in a big house or traveling around the world and you start feeling like you are not doing enough, that quiet pressure to measure up slowly kills people’s confidence even if you are doing fine in real life, Instagram can make you feel like you are behind in everything.
I have personally felt it too, there were times I scrolled on Instagram and I would see people showing off expensive things or always looking perfect and I would start thinking, “What am I even doing with my life?” but the truth is, most of those people are just packaging their lives for the internet, some borrow, lie, or struggle just to maintain that fake image online.
Another thing about Instagram is how it has changed the way people see value, many now think your worth is in how many likes or followers you have, people crave attention instead of real connection, friendships now revolve around engagement, who likes your post or comments on your story, now real life conversations are slowly dying because everyone is busy chasing validation online and wants to make money.
If Instagram were to be banned for life, I honestly think the world would breathe again, people would have time to live in the moment without thinking of taking pictures for likes, we would go back to enjoying real laughter not just posing for the camera, people would be less pressured to fake a lifestyle and more focused on living genuinely.
Yes, I know Instagram also has its good sides, many people have built careers and businesses there, some use it to learn, and stay connected with family but when I look at the bigger picture, the fake lifestyle and silent pressure it brings have done more emotional harm than the good it gives.
To the question of the prompt, if I ever had the power, I would gladly ban Instagram for life, maybe then people would start living again not for likes, not for followers, not for fake perfection but for real happiness.
This is my response to this episode of Hivelearners community prompt of #hl-w189e01 which the topic is tagged BANNED FOR LIFE
