Social Media, Video Games, Etc.
The Dangers of Comparison
Humans in the 20th century no longer know how to cope if things go even slightly awry or not to their preferences. They panic, get stressed and their brains go into lockdown.
It is also a fact that this is the first generation that wake up and think of other people’s lives before their own. People used to wake up and wonder what they would learn in school, what they would make for dinner ect. Instead our entire lives are based on comparing ourselves to others and making our selves look good. No one is comfortable in being themselves around anyone or alone by themselves. No one looks at them selves in the mirror and doesn’t see something they hate about themselves. Why?
Addiction
People are no longer content with reading a book or watching an old Alfred Hitchcock movie - Ok it don’t have to be a Hitchcock movie, but appreciation for the old masterpieces pls! - because their attention span is so short. Their brains demand to be interested all the time, and they obtain this by scrolling on their phones for hours. And what do they walk away with? No new knowledge or interesting facts. but a fried and overstimulated brain. It is an estimate that in 2026 teen girls spend an average of 42 hours a week on their phones while boys spend 40 hours. And all they see is things they want, there are jealous of or things that make them even more insecure of themselves at the end of it. We don’t deserve that.
Did you know film producers were told that film dialogue has to talk through everything that is happening, to keep the viewer a, not needing to pay attention for every second, and b, because attention spans are so short, scenes need to be kept snappy and always have something new happening. This allows for a pretty crappy movie. But that’s what addicted brains need. Short and snappy.
American Neurologist called Andrew Huberman was being interviewed when he brought up the topic of Dopamine - this is the hormone that makes you happy or feel pleasure. And what his point is was that in the recent years due to social media, the list of things that make us happy gets progressively smaller. this is basically what addiction is. Sitting outside or playing a boardgames no longer makes you content. Reading a book. Instead your brain wants the thing that takes the least amount of hard work to feel pleasure, Eg Doom Scrolling, Messaging, Pornography, etc. this is the poisonous effect phones and social media have on our brains.
Video Games
My best friend lives next to the creator of GTA - Grand Theft Auto, which I think is pretty cool, even though I have never played the game. They are really down to earth and genuinely nice people. But games like GTA and Fortnite designed to be fun and light. used to the point of unhealthy playing time has been proven to have big side effects. Game addicts play 30 - 50 hours weekly some cases even playing for 75 + hours. this is when Aldous Huxley’s book “Brave New World” comes in. A world so used to pleasure whenever they want, then becomes disregulated and panicked whenever things aren’t ( Lenina Crowe Visiting the Reserve.) which then leads to something that gives you Dopamine fast and easily (soma) or video games.
And think about this: you stare at a screen for three days out of seven, in a dark room with little breaks in between them is going to make any person think they are in the game. When they see a car they don’t think of it as anything but a game. steal the car and get away with it. their brains become desensitised to the real world, seeing people dying in games all the time no longer becomes horrific or garish, but fun and no big deal.
It makes me really sad to think that most people in my generation are no longer content with any of the beautiful simple things that life offers. Spring lambs, Snowfall, a beautiful flower. Broaden your views. Look to the little things in life and smile at them, because they are ever changing and new things are already appearing.
the Desire to Not be Creative
Chat gpt, Awesome, right? Well sometimes, when I need the idea of something quickly, why not? But then, I was on my phone all night and didn’t write that piece I was supposed to and it’s due tomorrow. “Chat gpt …” You see where I am going? People, teens mostly no longer have the desire to be creative, now this isn’t so much for you all on Substack, because we all love to write!
But what if instead people needed to write their pieces by hand? I remember my teacher asking us to do that and it was like end of the world! God forbid you want us to write something let alone write it by hand??!!
The desire not to learn. “I hate learning” a common complaint. “It’s stupid.” A common response to everything in 2026. because they don’t like it unless it is a couple inches from their face, with an addictive blue light, ruining their sleep, eyesight, and overall mood.
And yet… Sometimes the beauty of creativity and nature come through, and they have never been happier than holding a lamb, painting a picture or making a movie. Proof of the beauty of nature.
The Danger of Social Media
Did you know that Tim Cook, CEO of Apple has publicly said he doesn’t like his nephew on social media? Because the CEO of Apple knows how damaging Social media is. Phones were made to be addictive, it’s how their brands are multi billion dollar operations.
Social Media has been shown to show higher levels of:
anxiety
depression
loneliness
low self-esteem
It is also shown that never in all of history has a people been so anxious about what they look like, how they talk - people are no longer comfortable in them selves!
Cyber Bullying
Cyber bullying is a relatively new thing, I mean, Our parents didn’t get harassed and bullied by “Friends” or strangers on phones. Because “Stranger Danger” is less regarded now; if a stranger messages you randomly, people normally think nothing of it. So they text back. and then it becomes this addictive cycle where all they care about is this small person, whom they have never met and they care so much about what that person thinks! It is so dangerous and unimportant to care about what anyone thinks about you. Be comfortable in yourself and strive to be a better person for the only one that matters.
So…
Listen, God loves you, and you are beautiful in his eyes. It doesn’t matter about the gorgeous girl at school who feels a whole level above you - she’s not, or the guy who has it all - he doesn’t. Because it is all on the surface, and who you are and shaping up to be is so much more important than the shallow exterior.
So: Don’t compare yourself to others - Massive reminder for me as well! - You are so beautiful and interesting just the way you are. Don’t feel like you need to feel validated by people you have never met. Or do all the things influencers do just to fit in.
You are Loved.
You are Interesting.
You are enough.