We’re Connected, But Are We Close?

We’re living in the age of technology. The streets echo this, as well as our phone screens echoing that. Technology is improving and moving at a fast pace. There’s no doubt in that! Teenagers find ourselves living on our phones instead of living in the moments right before our eyes. We live in the age of connection so they say, yet many of us are still searching for genuine connection.

In this age and time, teens often share parts of their lives online to their folks which brings about unnecessary peer pressure attacking the minds of people who don’t have the mindset that people only show what they want you to see.

The most devastated person could post a picture of them with the biggest smile the world has ever seen but is still struggling! Followers these days have been the new cutoff mark for how well people know you but, are you really known? We’re connected, but are we close? Thousands, and thousands of group chats flood an average teenager’s social media.

The plot twist: it includes the same people, different subject matter. You’re on that page with an average of 25 members but who would notice when you go quiet. The only thing people notice these days is if that 3D avatar hides below the screen. What happened to conversations?

What happened to exchanging pleasantries? Rarely does anyone ask of your well-being.

We’re connected, but are we close? Think about it, when was the last time you had a meeting with your friends in the absence of an electronic device? When was the last time you stopped staring behind those blue screens during breaks?

The new slogan: phone eats first.

Followed by the shutter of the latest iPhone camera accompanied with forced smiles. We’re capturing the moments alright, but sometimes the camera sees more of the moment than we do.

At the end of the day, having a full contact list, endless notifications, and thousands of followers/likes doesn’t guarantee that we have someone who truly knows us. Real connection isn’t measured by all these – it’s found in the conversations we remember and the people who make us feel seen. So, I ask again: We’re connected, but are we close? - Nattie