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How Expensive is Social Media?

Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook…what do they all have in common? They are free; or so we think. Although these platforms don’t cost us any money to download, in fact, some have been able to build multimillion dollar businesses on these platforms, although fairly cheap at first, social media is expensive.

Affiliate Marketing

Most of us have fallen victim to affiliate marketing. Some of us might not be aware of it, but social media is taking our coin! Think about it, how many times have you seen a product flaunted from one of your favorite influencers or bloggers and thought “That’s nice, but I can do without it”. Next thing you know, it seems like everyone has it, from all the strangers you follow online, and then from close family and friends. That once strong truth that you did not need it becomes “I need it because___”; I will allow you to fill in the blank. Before I get too far, let me clarify, shopping online from recommendations in your social media network is okay, but here are some questions you can ask yourself to protect your coin:

  • Do you need that product and why? Sometimes it’s not a need, and just a “want”; just be mindful of how many times this occurs as nothing in excess, but prayer is good.
  • Can you afford it? Don’t go broke trying to please your flesh, emotion, or someone else.
  • Do you really like it? Peer pressure is a real thing. Make sure you find value in what you are considering purchasing and please, please, please do your research and read the reviews before committing!

Time

So, you’ve downloaded the app and you’ve paid free ninety-nine, minus the ninety-nine for it. What’s the worst that can happen? Friend, I am here to tell you that social media wants one of the upmost values, your time. Time is precious. You can never get it back. There is a time and place for mindless scrolling and intake of information, however, don’t let it consume you and your time. I have recently fallen victim to the traps of TikTok. Here are some things that I do to make better use of my time:

  • I limit myself to 1 hour of TikTok per day. I’ve got to be honest and realistic here. This is the least amount of time I can commit to and its working for me. What works for you?
  • I schedule intentional, undocumented, uninterrupted hangouts with family and friends. I want to be fully present with those I love and if we are not celebrating anything special, there is no need to document.
  • I try to value the things that truly matter, such as using my free time to grow spiritually. Repurposing previous social media time for time with the Lord has proven to be monumental in my spiritual walk and faith.

Mental Health

There is not much for me to say about how social media impacts your mental health. Deep down we all know it and there is countless research to support it. I could not talk about this topic without urging you to check in with yourself and get help if you need it. Here at LU, we have resources such as the Student Counseling Services office which is willing and able to walk alongside you and assist. Don’t let social media cost you your well-being.

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