Written by Megan White

It’s common how often we hear that social media is ruining us. We’ve been told that’s its ruining our minds, perceptions of one another, and our overall selves. But what if I told you we may simply not be utilizing it properly?

Let’s talk about it.

Lush Cosmetics is a brand that provides ethically-sourced products used for the bath, body, skin, and hair. Lush is a pretty favorable brand that can be located in just about every mall across the globe. In November 2021, Lush Cosmetics announced the end of its social media journey with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok to encourage customers to “stop scrolling and be somewhere else instead.” Lush spoke about how these platforms aren’t providing a safe environment for its users anymore and how people should step away for the sake of their wellbeing.

If we’re all honest with ourselves, Lush hit the nail on the head. We’d be lying if we said social media doesn’t have its fair share of drawbacks. For one, it can affect our mental health and keep us away from the real life we should be living. However, I like to think the good outweighs the bad. 

Social media’s main function is to connect people worldwide. However, it also helps connect us to ourselves. It teaches us to communicate, engage, and find our genuine voice. I’m a part of the generation that has grown up on social media which means we were automatically given a platform where we can store all of our thoughts, experiences, and ideas. Growing up with a space to express myself digitally gave me confidence I didn’t know I had. 

A great example of a company that uses social media in an exceptional way is Duolingo, especially its TikTok account. Duolingo has found its voice by following the latest trends. The authentic (with a touch of arbitrary) content the Duolingo team creates makes us feel humored and enthusiastic about the digital age. They have also done an exceptional job highlighting specific ‘influencers’ on the company’s page—which is another conversation in and of itself.

We all can name at least one content creator who has made their way to the top all because of an app. This is easily another positive attribute when it comes to social media because it ties back to having that platform that gives us so many opportunities. ‘Influencers’ utilize their creative talents and spaces to build interactive communities which can uplift anyone at any time.

Ideas like these are part of the reason that I, along with many other people, chose a career in public relations. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a number of organizations that value social media and PR to the highest degree. It’s inspiring to see people put so much work into something so unconventional and individualistic. We need to remember that social media unites us with the world and more importantly, with ourselves.

Why are we so quick to judge something that, with the right use, can help us so much more than we think?

Know when the next blog drops!