Finding positivity in social media

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Brittain Komoda

Waihilo, an avid user of social media browses her Instagram on both her iPhone and computer.

By Brittain Komoda, Staff Writer

Amidst the negative backlash of social media on today’s society, we still find ourselves scrolling through our newsfeed every day. From choosing a filter for your next post or merely stalking a favorite celebrity, we spend a hearty amount of time focusing our eyes on what seems like perpetual icons that drive our fingers to continuously open these addicting social media applications.

When searching Google for reasoning on how social media affects individuals and society, a collection of negative responses appeared on my screen, and I questioned whether my positive mindset would get drowned with reading all this negativity.

We all know some harmful effects. Most of social media users have probably experienced one of these: some sort of cyber bullying, subliminal or straightforward; a picture posted that should not be seen by others; or a fake profile made using all of your own pictures. So yes, we can all relate to the negative aspects revolving around social media. But, why is social media still heavily used?

Social media is an open canvas that allows people who may have never had the opportunity, to share their creative minds with the world. It acts as a living memorial for those who have passed. Social media isn’t going anywhere, it is only growing bigger.

Lets talk about YouTube and the billions of users that use it. YouTube allows users to post videos of nearly anything, stirring up some of the most creative videos from people who may not be known today if it weren’t for this social media site. Some users make a living off their YouTube videos, earning a salary almost at big as an attorney here in Hawaii. Instagram also houses many innovative minds and amateur photographers who can gain momentum for a future career they may have never imagined.

Social media is the base for gifted individuals and a job for some, but that’s not all it is. It is also an everlasting photo gallery, a living memorial for those who have passed.

David Bowie, a rock icon, died in the beginning of this year, but his Instagram didn’t go with him. It is still active for fans to reminisce and look back at. I’m sure after a family or friend passes, you don’t unfollow their accounts. Instead, it is an everlasting photo gallery that allows one to go back and remember the memories that you’ve shared.

When I look over my Instagram feed, dating back to almost two years ago, two pictures stand out to me: one of my grandma and the other of my grandpa, both of whom have since passed away. While I may switch phones or lose these physical pictures, I can still go back to my social media accounts to admire their warm smiles and reminisce on the love that we shared.

For me, these specific aspects drown the flaws of social media and make it worthwhile and rewarding.

I look at social media and all the users that have become successful and were able to freely express their creativity. I look at it as an everlasting photo gallery that can be used to share and reminisce on memories.

Although there may be different opinions, I choose to find the positivity where people may only see negativity.