I was just seven years old when my senior siblings had outgrown my childish stage.
They became grown up teenagers but because of how interactive and socializing we were as a family, I felt everything, they did was a necessity for me.
My siblings had an android phone, one to a person at thirteen years (13) and they could not pass the temptation of opening an account on Facebook; the trending and most populated social media handle back then.
My siblings would return from school, forget to freshen up and sometimes even forget to take their lunch, but will be so enthusiastic to log into their new account on Facebook.
I would hear them laugh out loud while chatting
https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-smartphone-technology-1847044/
and they would also show me photos of people I have not seen or heard in a while.
Their actions became so intriguing to me. What annoyed me was the fact that they began to stop me from viewing the screen, as they surfed the Facebook page.
They gradually began to use most of our bonding time to chat and this gradually drew us apart.
All pictures not sourced are mine
I tried talking to them about their sudden obsession to the Facebook app, little or no attention to me and less bonding time with my junior siblings and I but nothing changed. My efforts to reunite our bonding time was wasted.
As the saying goes “curiosity kills the cat”; I became very curious about the content that made them laugh so bad and caused them to lose interest in family time.
As often, I got back from school and saw them busy with their phones, I was able to peep and realized that they were surfing the Facebook page as usual. Unlike before, I did not receive even a “welcome” from any of them, due to the fact that I demand attention a lot, especially from people I love, I drew closer and tried making my presence obvious but things got worst. I was yelled at.
I got up and went to my room, I did not realize when tears began dropping down my eyes. I began to wonder if things would ever turn out better, just when I was lost in thought, a thought flashed into my head; “Sign up for your own Facebook account”.
https://pixabay.com/photos/social-media-facebook-smartphone-763731/
I did not bother rethinking about the idea because of the recent happenings around me. I quickly cleaned my eyes and headed back to where my siblings were, I told them I am joining them too.
I was asked how and I responded by saying, “I will create my account too”. They jointly laughed at me and said “I should not try that”. That was the last thing I wanted to hear, so I went ahead to create an account on Facebook without anyone’s approval.
I made use of my dad’s phone, because I did not have a phone of my own. I lied about everything ranging from; my date of birth, pictures and even my username. I did all of that because I knew I was underage to join any social media handle, and would be denied access if I told the truth.
Social media can be referred to a platform where networking takes place. I was able to talk to people from far and near, learn a lot and share my ideas with lots of people. I made new friends and interacted better with the opposite sex. My siblings noticed I had withdrawn away but thought I was just getting matured. They later realized I went ahead to create an account against their wish and I had mingled better than they did.
I grew up and became a teenager who found the social media, a place to be at any weak emotional moments. I encountered people who took advantage of my weak moments, and pretended to care. Little did I know that they were “wolves in sheep clothing”.
I kept on visiting the Facebook handle whenever I had mood swings and I was always taken advantage of, not until my siblings placed a bet on me; “three days off any social media handle”. It sounded so easy and I bragged on hearing it, but just the first day off social media, I felt I had not eaten for days. Then I realized I became addicted to surfing the internet.
I struggled my way to abstain from social media, I began to look pale and I became reserved. People taught I was sick, yes “I was actually mentally sick”.
Thanks for reading up
#mehmah