This is why we are increasingly arguing via social media

Digital catcalling and snarking: we do it more and more. And we have a pretty modern reason for that.

 
We are particularly often irritated because we don't come across on social media the way we would like. And then especially Instagram the culprit, nowadays. Imagine, you get too few likes – at least, that's what we think. ‘But’ 181. Panic. Am I ugly? Is it a stupid photo? A dull filter? Wrong timing? Does it look bad in ‘the feed? Should I delete it anyway or leave it up? QUICK.

 
Scenario two. You like a post of a bouquet of flowers from someone your close colleague doesn't like. Who then gets furious when you are back at the office. And is in disbelief. How. Can. You. ‘YOU KNOW I HATE HER! I WON'T LIKE YOU ANYMORE, YOU KNOW!’

 
And number three. We follow someone we just spoke to at a party... Oh, what a nice time, what a cool, new contact, what a... who then DOES NOT follow us back. The shame. The horror. The bond we built is gone.

 
These are the problems of life à la 2017. A bit exaggerated, that's for sure. But very much the order of the day.

 
We say: take it all with a grain of salt, that whole gram thing. Because, come on, what are we really talking about? About that photo in front of a crumbling wall in an abandoned alley in the ugliest street in Paris – purely so we can tag that location? And that Mr. #instahub had to be made with a sigh because it's now about photoshoot-before-a-crumbling-wall number 921? And then you had an argument with your partner. And you had a stupid evening there in Paris. But you did have that one good photo where your butt looks nice. So that strangers could see it in your story, like it, and forget it. Just sayin’.

 
It doesn't hurt if we are occasionally aware of what really matters. Having a good time with the people you love, for example. Yes, that sounds old-fashioned, right? But believe us, against a good belly laugh, a nice sleepover and a good conversation, no Lo Fi filter can compete.

 
FACTS

– The whole concept of ‘social media’ has only existed since December 2003 and – you wouldn't think it – LinkedIn was the first real one. #ikfeelingold
– 92% of teenagers log in daily on Facebook. That's not so crazy. Worldwide, there are 1.29 billion daily Facebook users. Funny gender difference: there are more men on LinkedIn and YouTube.

– Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are used more by women.
– Every MINUTE, 435,120 tweets are launched into the air and 2,430,555 hearts are given out on Instagram.

Written by: Tessa Heinhuis