Thoughts?

Neither. I don't use it enough to really make a difference. When I do use it, it's probably 90% work-related in some form. Most of the other is typically news-related. Every now and then I go through and see who is posting what, and it's the exact same people posting the same  stuff....either what their kid(s) did, who/where they went partying, or something political.

Depends on how you use it. The problem with social media is everyone that uses it assumes everyone else uses it the same way, and that's not how it works. Some people use it as a marketing/promotional tool. Some people use it to stay in touch with their closest. Some people use it to show the entire planet what they do on a daily basis. Some people use it to be judgey and preach. Some people just use it as a news device.

So as worded I can't really answer that question perfectly. I use Twitter as a news feed. FB I try to use to just keep in touch with family and our immediate life (and yes, in that sense I feel more in touch with people). It's a double edged sword though, cause you tend to find out inner most thoughts of people you may not be THAT close with, and once you see those you may decide this isn't a person you want to be friends with. So I disagree when people complain about how people are immature for unfriending them over politics season. With things like FB you get to see more of people than you do in person, and learning more about people can be enlightening.

Refuse to use IG or Snap. I filter out and block a huge chunk of pages on FB and people that are promoting things, because that's not how I choose to use that, and if I wanted to follow them in that sense I would follow them on Twitter.

I would say more.  I don't use anything other than Facebook and only check that occasionally.  

My mom's side of the family is such that I only see most of them twice a year (4th of July and Christmas), but they're all really great people, and Facebook has let me keep in touch and be involved in their lives more. 

I make it a point to not be on a screen with I'm with my wife or kids unless necessary, so I don't feel like it draws me away from my family, but certainly I see evidence of that all the time while I'm out.  

Depends on how you use it. The problem with social media is everyone that uses it assumes everyone else uses it the same way, and that's not how it works. Some people use it as a marketing/promotional tool. Some people use it to stay in touch with their closest. Some people use it to show the entire planet what they do on a daily basis. Some people use it to be judgey and preach. Some people just use it as a news device.

 

So as worded I can't really answer that question perfectly. I use Twitter as a news feed. FB I try to use to just keep in touch with family and our immediate life (and yes, in that sense I feel more in touch with people). It's a double edged sword though, cause you tend to find out inner most thoughts of people you may not be THAT close with, and once you see those you may decide this isn't a person you want to be friends with. So I disagree when people complain about how people are immature for unfriending them over politics season. With things like FB you get to see more of people than you do in person, and learning more about people can be enlightening.

 

Refuse to use IG or Snap. I filter out and block a huge chunk of pages on FB and people that are promoting things, because that's not how I choose to use that, and if I wanted to follow them in that sense I would follow them on Twitter.

...is that it exists at all.

I think it's directly related to how much you use it. 

For me...more. 

Maybe I'm missing something obvious, or an interpretation that I'm not thinking of, but how could it make you less connected to people?

You either use it, and you're more connected to people than you would be if it didn't exist.  Or you don't use it, and then you're exactly as connected to people as you would be if it didn't exist. 

I get feeling annoyed or angry at people more frequently if you use it over not, there are certainly negative aspects to social media that can make it's use a net negative overall, but that's still being more connected.

Maybe I'm missing something obvious, or an interpretation that I'm not thinking of, but how could it make you less connected to people?

To this point...  my general feeling is that with social media, you get a regular glimpse into peoples lives you might not otherwise get... I think thats a benefit.  I think one unattended consequence is that while you have those regular glimpses... sometimes it leads you to be less engaged, or make less of an effort to get together in-person.

To this point...  my general feeling is that with social media, you get a regular glimpse into peoples lives you might not otherwise get... I think thats a benefit.  I think one unattended consequence is that while you have those regular glimpses... sometimes it leads you to be less engaged, or make less of an effort to get together in-person.

I find it makes me like people less.  (obviously thats more of a general statement but I can see how it pushes you away from people for sure)

I find it makes me like people less.  (obviously thats more of a general statement but I can see how it pushes you away from people for sure)

I definitely agree with that. But it also makes me like people more, so...

I definitely agree with that. But it also makes me like people more, so...

Thats happened to me too but far less than the other way.  lol

Overall, I think social media is about the worst thing ever invented and I think its a big problem in this country.

The hatred out there that comes through on social media is just so disturbing to me.  (BTW, I get that it also shows the hatred and why it needs to be stopped but that won't ever happen)

Thats happened to me too but far less than the other way. lol

Overall, I think social media is about the worst thing ever invented and I think its a big problem in this country.

The hatred out there that comes through on social media is just so disturbing to me. (BTW, I get that it also shows the hatred and why it needs to be stopped but that won't ever happen)

It should at least be an 18 and older thing. Not that that could completely stop anyone, because I found internet porn at like age 12.

But I don't think it's coincidence that suicide among young people is at an all time high at the same time that everyone and all their business is put on blast for the world to see like never before.

Thats happened to me too but far less than the other way.  lol

 

Overall, I think social media is about the worst thing ever invented and I think its a big problem in this country.

 

The hatred out there that comes through on social media is just so disturbing to me.  (BTW, I get that it also shows the hatred and why it needs to be stopped but that won't ever happen)

The funny thing about that is that it's just showing you people's true colors. There's no less hate than would be there without it, but it's out there for everyone to see now. I guess I'd just rather see assholes coming than have them sneak up on me.