How social media makes us unsocial | Allison Graham | TEDxSMU

Summary

The speaker addresses the disconnection caused by social media, highlighting a decrease in close friendships and the constant distraction of smartphones. They discuss the risks of texting while driving, the impact on our vocabulary, and the pressure to present a perfect life online. The talk concludes with a call to action for a screen-free challenge, urging people to make human connections and engage in real-life experiences.

Takeaways

• 📵 Social media is causing us to disconnect from real-life interactions and relationships, with people increasingly preferring online communication over face-to-face conversations.
• 📉 A significant decrease in the number of close friends reported by Americans from 10 in 2001 to 2 in the present day suggests a shift in social dynamics due to technology.
• 👥 The speaker observes families and couples using their phones even when together, indicating a preference for online interactions over being present with loved ones.
• 📱 The average person checks their phone 150 times a day, highlighting the pervasiveness of technology in our daily lives.
• 📸 The immense number of photos uploaded to social media platforms like Facebook reflects a culture of constant sharing and seeking validation through likes and comments.
• 💬 The use of text messaging and social media shorthand can lead to a loss of rich vocabulary and the ability to express nuanced thoughts and emotions.
• 🚗 Texting while driving is identified as the leading cause of death among teens, emphasizing the dangers of being distracted by technology while operating vehicles.
• 🏖 People often feel compelled to check work emails even during vacations, reflecting the expectation of constant availability and the difficulty of disconnecting from work.
• 🤳 The rise of the 'selfie' culture and the various contexts in which they are taken, from parties to funerals, shows a focus on self-presentation and seeking online approval.
• 🏆 The emotional impact of social media, such as jealousy over the number of likes received, affects self-esteem and can lead to negative behaviors like deleting posts for more attention.
• 🌈 The speaker calls for a return to more authentic human connections and experiences, suggesting a screen-free challenge to encourage people to look up from their devices and engage with the world around them.

Q & A

What is the speaker's request at the beginning of the talk?

The speaker asks everyone to power down their devices during the talk and points out the location of the power buttons on phones.

Why does the speaker want to post about the coffee but is struggling to find a funny way to say it?

The speaker is looking for a humorous angle to make the social media post engaging and entertaining for their audience.

What is the issue with the speaker's Facebook post being 'like a page long'?

The speaker is concerned about the length of the post and is looking for a way to shorten it without losing the message.

What does the speaker suggest to shorten the Facebook post?

The speaker humorously suggests removing all the vowels from the post to make it shorter.

What is the main topic the speaker wants to discuss in the talk?

The speaker wants to discuss how social media is disconnecting people from real-life interactions and relationships.

According to the Gallup poll mentioned, what change has occurred in the number of close friends Americans have?

The Gallup poll showed a decrease from an average of 10 close friends in 2001 to just two in the current year.

What does the speaker attribute the decrease in close friendships to?

The speaker attributes the decrease to the rise of technology and social media, which has led to more virtual than real-life interactions.

What is the average number of times people check their phones according to the study by Mary Meeker?

According to Mary Meeker's study, people touch or check their phones 150 times a day.

What is the speaker's concern regarding the use of abbreviations in communication?

The speaker is concerned that the use of abbreviations may lead to a loss of nuances, subtleties, and the richness of the American vocabulary, affecting our ability to express ourselves fully.

What is the new study from Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park highlighting?

The study highlights that texting while driving has become the number one cause of death for teens, surpassing even drinking and driving.

What is the speaker's advice regarding the use of technology while driving?

The speaker advises against using technology while driving, emphasizing that no text message is worth the risk and that messages can wait until one reaches their destination.

What is the impact of social media on the way people present their lives?

Social media impacts the way people present their lives by often promoting an idealized version, focusing on positive aspects and avoiding negative or ordinary experiences.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative to the constant use of social media?

The speaker suggests taking a screen-free challenge, unplugging for one hour a day, and focusing on real-life interactions and experiences.

What is the speaker's final call to action for the audience?

The speaker's final call to action is for everyone to take a screen-free challenge, to unplug for an hour a day, and to prioritize face-to-face interactions and human connections.