Education Through Social Media

I know nothing of life without the internet; I have never been alive during a time when Google did not exist. So when looking for an opinion on social media and its influence there is no better generation besides mine to ask. However, my experience with social media is much different than most. Video games were the social media platform I interacted with the most throughout middle school. After school my friends and I would play games together, but mostly we would use the games as a way to talk to each other. 

But once I went to High School social media began to fizzle out of my life almost completely. Video games lost their relevance in my life as I began to pursue different hobbies and pastimes, such as guitar. As well as video games, after middle school I stopped using Facebook and Instagram. I found that the negative influences it had on me and the time it took away from better things and people outweighed any good it brought. The absence of social media in my life has made a difference as much as its presence would have as well. Previously when I was bored I would go on my phone and scroll. Now that I have quit, it has forced me to use my time differently, and probably more wisely. 

The absence of social media has given me the space to be present with everything and everyone around me, which in turn has made me less anxious. I will confess I still use Facebook from time to time, but it is mostly to comment on an ultimate frisbee page and see pictures of my friends. Although I personally do not want to be apart of social media, I see many people make an impact that otherwise would be impossible through it. I can see there are tremendous advantages with connecting with people across the world.

When I was ten years old I decided I wanted to learn the guitar. But after a year of lessons I realized I was learning more from Youtube. So, I stopped paying my music teacher and continued my education online. Youtube is a social media platform that allows content creators to share their skills and entertain their audience. Ten years later I am still learning from professional musicians across the world whenever I choose for free. There is no ceiling to the education you can receive on this platform as long as you are willing to seek it out. Not only has it shaped me into a better musician, but it has helped me decide my career path.

I have always been interested in design, but I did not know if I would enjoy it as a career. On this platform I was able to learn Graphic design through educators and professionals like Chris Do, and Ran Segall. It was through watching these videos that I discovered I enjoyed design and wanted to pursue it as a career. I was able to observe what designers really did and enter into their firms and learn from some of the best. I am sure I do not even comprehend the profound impact and influence Youtube has had on my life.