The Beauty and the Chaos: Navigating Social Media's Ups and Downs

Social media has this way of weaving itself into our lives, creating both a lifeline and a tangled mess. On the one hand, I love how it allows me to stay connected with family, especially those who live far away. My dad, who’s now a widower and lives with us, often uses it to chat with his sister and neighbors from his old life overseas. Watching him reconnect with them, even from across the ocean, brings me so much joy. It’s like a piece of his past is still within reach, thanks to social media. For me, too, it’s a way to bridge the distance between my loved ones and me, giving us a space to share our lives, even if we can’t share the same room.

These are the beautiful aspects of social media, moments that make me grateful it exists. The idea of instant connection, the ability to share joys, concerns, and everyday life moments with people who matter.

And, of course, I love that I can write this very blog post and share it with all of you through social media. The fact that I can speak my mind, tell my stories, and engage with people all over the world through a platform like this is incredible. It allows me to connect with so many of you who resonate with my words, and that’s something I’ll always appreciate.

But then, there’s the other side.

Let’s be honest, social media isn’t just about heartwarming reunions and meaningful connections. For every genuine interaction, we’re bombarded with a ton of junk. Fake profiles, bots, and trolls lurking behind the safety of anonymity, spreading hate from the shadows. The sheer amount of misinformation people can spread—sometimes deliberately—blows my mind. On some days, scrolling through my feed feels like navigating a minefield of sensationalism, political bias, and blatant falsehoods. And the most troubling part? Even I, someone who values critical thinking, can catch myself nodding in agreement with something that fits my perspective, only to stop and think, “Hold on, is this even true?”

We’ve all been there—reading a headline that matches our beliefs or assumptions, sharing it without a second thought, only to find out it’s a total fabrication. Social media makes it far too easy to believe what we see. That’s why we *must* fact-check everything that crosses our path, especially if it’s not coming from a reputable source. Because once something is shared, the damage is done, and the misinformation spreads like wildfire.

And then, there’s the elephant in the room: the lack of responsibility from the CEOs and companies running these platforms. They have the resources to do more, yet time and time again, they prioritize profit over people. Algorithms favor engagement, which often means pushing divisive content that gets the most clicks, likes, or shares. They’re failing to take ownership of the damage being done—the damage that affects real lives, fosters hate, and weakens the fabric of truth.

So, what’s the solution?

It’s on us. I urge you—*always* double-check something before you share it. Take a breath, verify the facts, and remember that just because it aligns with your views doesn’t mean it’s true. And let’s also remember to be kinder, especially behind the curtain of the internet. There’s a human being on the other side of that screen. Words have power, whether we’re face-to-face or typing behind a keyboard.

Spread love, not hate. Be the light in someone’s feed.

Stay kind,
The Not So Common Gal