Tool Or Weapon

Social media platforms were created in the hopes of it being a vital tool for humans. In the early stages of the use of social media, users were using the platforms to connect with friends and family easier. Throughout this past decade, social media platforms have created a life of its own and has shifted from becoming a tool to becoming a weapon. It has become a weapon against the majority of users as it now controls much of their lives without them even noticing. In the docudrama "Social Dilemma" this unconscious takeover of the user is effectively shown. The two main characters, Ben and Isla, go through a challenge of having to undergo time without their phone. They both find out that they are unable to complete the challenge, with Ben being able to go almost four days without it. They show how social media takes up much of Ben's time in life and how he is drawn to it through every notification. He misses soccer practices to catch up on social media without seeing a problem. Similar to Ben, much of today's social media users live along the lines of how he lives. If we do not begin to consciously see how social media affects us, we will be slaves to any notification that comes our way.