Social media has become integral to our daily lives, fueled by our insatiable, innate desire for constant entertainment. This need for time occupation is part of human nature –– a tale as old as time. Modern technology has made it easy (perhaps too easy) to experience amusement at any time. Social media, in particular, is the driving force in producing infinite entertainment. Apps like Instagram, TikTok and X hook users daily, utilizing their algorithms to keep people online. While these apps are undoubtedly entertaining, their iron grasp on society is concerning. Despite their popularity, is it possible that social media is too entertaining? Is it so entertaining to the point that it has become sinister?

TikTok is one of, if not the most, popular social media apps available right now. Its short-form videos, eerily personalizable algorithm and infinite scrolling feature make it the perfect app for brainless content consumption. Consumers, myself included, can spend hours upon hours per day on TikTok without getting bored. However, TikTok’s power was threatened by President Donald Trump’s executive order, which ordered the app to shut down in the name of protecting national security. As a result, TikTok ceased operations on Jan. 18, sending its users into a spiral. How would we get our entertainment now? How do we fill the TikTok-sized hole in our lives? 

The spiral didn’t last long, as the app was returned 12 hours later. However, those 12 hours were enough to lead consumers toward reflection regarding their social media usage. I was no exception. Leading up to the fateful day of the ban, I was in a frenzy of consumption, trying to use TikTok as much as possible before it was gone. I panicked as soon as the app stopped working for me. Like everyone else, I was at a loss since I’ve filled my days with silly TikTok videos for over four years, spending an average of seven hours a day scrolling on that app alone. I had no idea what to do with myself. I found myself repeatedly opening TikTok, forgetting that it was inoperational. I fear this happened far, far too many times. One could even call it an unhealthy amount of times. 

After attempting to fill that TikTok-sized gap in my life, I found that my efforts were fruitless. Everything else was boring, no match for TikTok’s personalized algorithm. I sought enjoyment from the real world, even after TikTok returned after an embarrassingly short time. I realized that, perhaps, I don’t need social media to have fun. 

Despite this revelation, I am remiss to report that I have fallen back into my TikTok addiction. I was good for a while, but I could not resist the brainless, quickfire amusement waiting just beyond a single tap on my phone. I have some friends who have unplugged from social media. It’s inspiring to know that maybe escaping the internet is possible for me, too.

Reflecting upon social media usage, both from my journey toward consumption reduction and observing other consumer reactions, I have concluded that while social media may never be eradicated, we consumers need to consider making some changes to our relationship with social apps. The history of social media apps is enough to inform us that we can never escape the intoxicating, brain-numbing effects. Social apps have a shelf life no matter how popular they become, some lasting longer than others. MySpace is dead, Vine is gone, Facebook is on its way out, Snapchat is decreasing in popularity and BeReal is survived by a rapidly decreasing number of users, its peak one of the shortest I have ever seen.

Social media platforms can die as quickly as they sour to public adoration –– most likely in some of their failures to keep up with consumers’ ever-changing trend preferences, decreasing attention span and offline societal pressures. Our personalities and mental health are directly impacted by the ever-changing world around us, pushing many to seek refuge in the light-hearted, detached world of the internet. The internet is inherently and ironically isolating –– the promise of worldly connections offset by its form, confining the connections inside a small rectangle in the palm of our hands. It feels like we are connected to people by sharing content online and interacting with each other’s content. Yet, the mere fact that we do not even have to leave the house, or even our bedroom, to “see” other people yields to isolation.

We consumers need to reevaluate our relationship with social media. As it stands, the internet is highly addictive to unhealthy levels. We can only imagine what platforms might arise in the future. The rise of artificial intelligence threatens to further isolate us, with virtual companions and chatbots replacing human relationships. What will happen when a social media company creates something society can not resist? What will happen to our real-life connections when technology can fulfill them in the palm of our hands?

Social media is not going away, at least not anytime soon. As technology evolves, we must determine how we want to interact with what new social platforms come our way. Will you as a consumer dive into the virtual world social media has to offer? Or step away and relish in the real world, finding happiness in those around you? It would be challenging to quit social media completely, especially since it is ingrained in our socialization. Quitting may not be possible, but invoking your agency is. It’s up to you to decide how to move forward in this increasingly digital world. I know I will try to step away and hopefully ground myself in reality.

Alessandra Smith, FCRH ’25, is an English major from Verplank, N.Y.