INFORMATIVE SPEECH: TELL ‘SOCIAL MEDIA’ IT’S OVER

by Kathlene Mae Mandar

“In the digital age, people spend countless hours throughout the day on social media and at the
end of the day have absolutely nothing to show for it. Too often too much social media and the latest
internet trends drain us and erode us of creativity, drive, peace of mind and sense of purpose.” That is
a quote from the US journalist Germany Kent. The usage of social media around the world is ever-
increasing. It’s without a doubt one of the most popular online activities that users engage in. Social
media statistics from 2019 show that there are 3.5 billion social media users worldwide, and this number
is only growing. At the moment, we usually rely on this platform called social media. Social media has
its benefits and disadvantages. It is valuable for research, has instructive esteem as a medium for
learning around current occasions, and of course, there’s a place for discussion and communication
with others. What's not far from being obviously true be that as it may, is that it can be addictive and
amazingly perilous for youth who don't utilize it sparingly and who don't work out restraint or safety
measure when sharing contents that's not reasonable. Besides, it can also affect your mental health.
Are you one of those social media addicts? Jennifer Walsh, lead author of the study, wrote that students
who spent the most time using social media had “fewer academic behaviors, such as completing
homework and attending class, lower academic confidence and more problems affecting their school
work, like lack of sleep and substance use.” The given statement is so alarming, right? Nowadays, as
college students, we particularly vulnerable because we spent too much time online. I can say that,
there’s no single day that we check our social media especially Facebook and Instagram and it’s not
good to have to much of anything.

Here are some few tips how to use social media according to mental health expert. First, limit
when and where you use social media, in this way you can connect better with people in your life.
Second, you can have “detox” periods where you should schedule regular breaks from social media.
Third thing is pay attention to what you do and how you feel. Fourth, approach social media mindfully
and ask “WHY?” Why am I doing this? Make sure that it is worth your time. Next is, pruning some
“friends” and adding a few motivational or funny sites is likely to decrease the negative effects of social
media. Lastly, stop social media from replacing real life. To my fellow students, the worst thing you
might do before studying or working is checking your social media accounts. You’ll just waste how
many hours scrolling on your phone. Why don’t you turn your phone down? Tell ‘social media’ it’s over.
The world doesn’t end without it.