Social Media Nightmares

By Deborah O’Connor

Drones, SlideShare, Pinterest, Bandwatch, Foursquare, LinkedIn, You Tube, Vimeo, FuelBand, Boom to Bust, these are just a very few social media tools available out there.

Our society is suffering from a new phobia: FOMO, the fear of missing out on something or someone more interesting or more exciting than what we are doing. We are constantly checking our cell phones, tweets, emails, Facebook, and online dating accounts throughout the day. People text while driving, obviously making connecting a priority over their lives. Most people leave their devices on all night as well so that they are connected 24/7. We’ve become a society that needs instant gratification. If we counted every time we check our phones for texts, messages, updates, etc, I think we’d be shocked. It has become an addiction and is only getting worse.

This phenomena is not just prevalent with the younger generation, it has spread throughout our society. In fact, we are so connected that we are really never alone. We interrupt one call to take another, even if we don’t know who it is, because it might be someone better or more interesting. In the middle of a face-to-face conversation, we will actually be texting someone else, acting like the person in front of us has no idea whatsoever. Most people don’t consider it an interruption at all, they consider it a necessity. We’ve all seen a group of people sitting together, all texting, tweeting and emailing, not saying a word to each other. Our devices have forever redefined social settings. Technology is thoroughly embodied in our lives.

Obviously, there has been a disruption to the workplace. Social media can cause people to lose focus on tasks at work and needs to be used in moderation. If someone is spending so much time on social networks that they are not sleeping enough hours per night, are not performing well at work, and are ignoring friends and family that want to spend time with them in person, this can be a serious problem.

Another drawback to social networking is that some users are simply sharing too much information. People can lose their jobs or a friendship over leaking information on social networks. Even if a user of a social site has their privacy settings on the highest level, their information can still be passed on by someone on their friends list. It doesn’t take much for an angry follower to copy and paste a status or download a picture if they are looking for revenge. Everything you post on your work computer belongs to your company and can end up in a court of law. Lives and careers can be ruined.

There are many positive things that have impacted our lives for the better. Before social networking, much of the publication and promotion world was dominated by industry leaders and celebrities. Now anyone can create a product, image or brand and find a following online. Ebooks are gaining more respect and popularity thanks to electronic reading devices. In the days before social networking, unknown authors would have to go through big publishing houses and hope for a break. Now anyone who believes in their book can create an ebook on their own and promote it on social websites.

Obviously, there has to be a balance between being plugged-in and enjoying life outside of social media. There is no doubt that it has made our world a better place. But we must have some self-imposed rules, such as no texting while driving or during dinner, or speaking with family and friends. Nothing kills the mood of friendship or business than making another call, tweet, Facebook Post, etc, more important than the live person in front of you. In fact, it is downright insulting and may cost you your business deal or a friendship. We just need to connect better. The big question is will we ever settle for what is right in front of us and work on it to make it better? Or will we forever be searching for the perfect job, the perfect mate, or the perfect situation because we think it’s just an email or tweet away? Sometimes you need to lower your phone to see that exactly what you are looking for is right in front of you.

Deborah O’Connor is a social strategist and founder and president of Successful Image LLC with offices in Columbia and Atlanta. She offers training and seminars on image management, workplace etiquette, and social skills necessary to succeed in life professionally and personally. Contact at:   [email protected]        www.successfulimage.biz