Why Social Media Is Ruining Your Life | Katherine Ormerod | TEDxManchester

Social media have changed the way we consume news, products and, most importantly, each other. However, they are also shaping our expectations of reality, undermining our esteem and fuelling obsessive social comparison. So, what can we do to make us mindful of the negative impacts of new media and begin benefiting from the very best our interconnected world has to offer?

One fashion journalist turned influencer charts her journey into the world of social media fantasy—and why she now wants to burst the bubble.

Whether you be young or old, single or a parent, many of us today are concerned about the impact of social media on our lives and communities. Katherine Ormerod is the author of the Amazon bestseller, Why Social Media is Ruining Your Life’. Written in 2018, she addresses her experiences working in new media and the problematic implications of social media. In her research she speaks with psychologists, plastic surgeons, global influencers and others to get a meta-level view on the scope of the problem and what we might be able to do about it. Katherine brings a wealth of reporting experience with staff roles at Sunday Times Style, Grazia and Glamour, specialising in fashion and social media culture. She’s also written for the FT, The Telegraph, Harper’s Bazaar and The Mail on Sunday.

[UpperGroundNGU]

I deleted social media several years ago because I saw the potential dangers. Turns out I was right.

[deancorrington]

I never understood, or had the desire to go on any social media site and air my life for all to see. I keep my business, MY business.

[jordanm]

Social Media is toxic. Today I deleted my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

[natehorne]

The entertainment side of social media nearly ruined my life.

[kevindavis]

As a 36-year-old guy I must say I'm come too the conclusion. Why do I want to allow people to look in my photos when they do not care to interact with me on a regular day-to-day basis? Because all I'm doing is giving people permission they don't care to contact me permission to look at my pictures that's all I'm doing.

[bettsmart]

Don't compare your behind the scene with other people's highlight reel.

[jasonboenig]

I graduated from Parsons and worked the fashion industry/magazines in manhattan for a couple of years. By 23 I realized I hated everything about it and I would rather throw my BFA in the toilet then live a empty and shallow existence. Welcome to the machine.

[allenm]

This video has changed my insights on social media. Thank you for this.

[lotfibouhedjeur]

I appreciate her shedding light on this issue but at the same time I can see how this can be a scheme to garner sympathy and interest and attract more followers. Maybe what's wrong is not only sharing that flimsy veneer of glamour without the dark side, maybe the real problem is simply sharing too much of a life that used to be private. I don't understand why a complete stranger would show me they've been to Mexico and rub their designer bikini in my face nor do I understand why they would tell me they were dumped in a luxury hotel room. The more of your private life you expose the more “exposed” you'll feel.

[edwardseverinsen]

Her: Be an Instagram fashion influencer, hop on meta _social media is bad_ train. Continue to be a social media influencer. Profit.

[patiencel]

I've just had a look on the speaker's Instagram page. Its content doesn't really back up what she says in her TED speech. What we can see is glamour, fashion and obsession with self-image. The book is promoted using all the required (but highly criticised) codes of the social media world.

[mulunehrizzo]

it's like saying, I'm a smoker but I'm aware that is bad for my health. I was one of those people that used Instagram 1 day a week or less and I never thought it would affect me but when I decide to delete my account I felt empty and depressed and I didn't know what to do after a month or so I was happier. Lots of people say that they don't have that obsessive need to use social media but just by talking to them you will notice that they have low self esteeme and are lost but try to hide it

[bibbybop]

Everyone keeps repeating the same issue - how pretty pictures make us feel bad. Pretty pictures were in magazines before we had social media. I don't feel this is a new issue, I put my best happy face on in most social situations, so I don't really think its at the heart of what is wrong with social media.

For me it feels like people keep thinking the answer is changing how we use it - share more that is real, show more that is real, be real with people to connect more.. but none of it is real.

Its not real in the sense that its edited and curated and because its happening to people you don't know and will never meet. But its also not real in that you don't think, behave, or react to it like its real. You are investing in a fantasy and that's its entire appeal. The folk putting up stuff about how 'if you're depressed you can talk to me, im here' can't even be bothered to put it in their own words, they just copy and paste or post a meme. Imagine if someone actually went to them for real help?

I can have a three line conversation with a friend that takes a week because its not real time. In real time, we can discuss everything we talk about in our entire whatsapp history in one night over a few drinks. Yet people think online activism is the way to 'have the important conversations'... No one is actually trying to change the world, they're trying to change their follower count. And the thing is once it's changed what does that actually mean?

The way that's it is most 'not real' is that it is completely disconnected from any sense of purpose. You get friends online but you don't have more friends. You get more popular on line but you're not popular. When we used to care about our appearances, our clothes, our social status it was directly related to improving our actual appearance, to attract friends, dates, job interviews.. now we're literally doing all this work for the sake of ... what?

the frightening part is the part that is real. That's the part we haven't even begun to measure. We were all so busy playing make believe. We could troll, invent, embellish, no need to watch your words, pick your fights.. but everything has a consequence. That unreal life is bleeding out into the real one we just don't know how yet..

[metallibasscovers]

I never downloaded any social media app like Instagram Snapchat or tick tok
It could cause depression toxic behavior and online bullying.

[benbreak]

I deleted my instagram, Facebook but, I spent most of my time watching YouTube 😊💔

[justletmesigninokthx]

Why social media ruined her life, and it didn't even ruin it, it made her.

[lavishlyenigmatic]

Quite ironically social media is what makes you famous and elevate you to a position you could use to influence other opinions .

[doha]

I used to think of myself as a boring person and i hated my life because of social media. Well i still do, but now im trying to get my self out of those mazy thoughts.

[samanthaspears]

It is amazing what people will do to be social media 'influencers'

[lizmuller]

Just finished the audiobook and really enjoyed it. Love the idea of more mindful social media consumption. Thank you Katherine :))