Is Social Media Ruining the Concept of Fun?

With Elliot & Stella

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Do you think social media has changed the definition of fun?

Elliot - Honestly, yeah. Social media has shifted from its original purpose. It started as a place to share experiences, connect with friends, and have fun. But now, it’s all about likes, followers, and validation. It’s kinda lost its way.

Stella - Totally! It’s like, instead of just sharing fun moments, now people are looking for that instant gratification from a post. Social media has turned into this mind-numbing scroll that doesn’t really add anything meaningful.

Right! It’s kind of like a brain rot. You’re just scrolling through endless content, and half of it doesn’t even mean anything. It used to be about sharing good times, but now it’s just... shallow.

Do you think social media has made childhood experiences worse?

I think if I had social media when I was a kid, it could’ve messed things up a bit. It’s so addictive, and it can definitely numb your brain. Kids are constantly looking for approval now, instead of just having fun in the moment.

Yeah, imagine being six years old and having access to social media. It would change the way you see the world. Instead of playing outside or just hanging with friends, you’re more focused on how many likes your photo gets. I think it would ruin a lot of childhood innocence.

Do you think social media ruins real-life moments?

Definitely. It’s like you’re so focused on capturing the perfect moment for social media, you miss out on actually living in that moment. I remember being on holiday and instead of enjoying the view, I was just trying to get that perfect photo, taking me away from the experience.

Social media or taking photos can be a nice way to preserve memories. Looking back at old photos is a great feeling.

True! You just have to find that balance. Take a few photos, then put your phone away and actually enjoy the moment. It's about not letting social media take over your life.

Does social media create unrealistic expectations of fun?

Oh, 100%. People post these perfect moments of travel, parties, and just living their best lives. And it makes everyone else feel like their life isn’t as exciting or fun. It creates this constant feeling of missing out and that their lives are better than yours.

Exactly! Instagram or other social media platforms are the worst for this. You only see the highlight reel of someone's life. They make everything look perfect, but in reality, no one’s life is that perfect all the time.

Right! And then you start comparing yourself to them. It’s exhausting. Social media doesn’t show the real struggles or the behind-the-scenes stuff. It’s all curated and filtered.

Do you think social media puts pressure on people to always be having fun?

Yeah, there’s definitely a pressure to be living this exciting, glamorous life. It’s like if you’re not out doing something ‘fun’ all the time, you’re somehow missing out.

It makes you feel like you’re not doing enough. But that’s not true! Everyone has their own pace and way of enjoying life. Social media just amplifies the pressure, and it can make you feel bad if you’re not constantly “having fun.”

Is it okay to sacrifice real-life experiences for the sake of documenting them on social media?

No way! It takes away from the magic of the moment. I’ve definitely been in situations where I’m so focused on capturing everything for social media that I forget to just enjoy it. Sometimes it’s better to just put the phone down and live in the now.

Exactly. I think it’s important to document things, but you shouldn’t let it take over your experience. Some of the best moments are the ones that aren’t on camera.

Do you think social media fun is different from real-life fun?

Yeah, I feel like social media fun is more about looking good to other people. Real-life fun is all about how you feel in the moment. Social media makes everything seem more fun than it is, but when you’re actually experiencing it, it’s more about the people you’re with and how you enjoy being present.

Totally. Real fun is spontaneous, messy, and unfiltered. Social media fun is too polished, and it can make you feel like you need to live up to this “perfect” image.

Can social media ever be a good thing?

Yeah, it’s not all bad. Social media can bring people together, create communities, and give you a platform to share your passions. It’s just about how you use it.

Exactly. There are definitely good sides to social media. You can connect with friends, learn new things, and even find support. But you have to find the balance between using it in a healthy way and not letting it take over.