"Is There A Such Thing As Facebook Depression?" I'll Discuss It On Tonight's Video Blog

I have asked myself the question, "Is there a such thing as Facebook Depression?" If you do an internet search, you'll actually find that this issue has been addressed considerably and not something that is only being talked about on some obscure Internet blogs.

In fact, Forbs.com posted an article back in 2015 that dealt with with this topic at great length and did so in a very comprehensive manner. Essentially, what the article concluded was that it wasn't so much Facebook as much as it was individuals comparing themselves with others and feeling inadequate as a result.

I'll admit, that I found that I had been comparing myself too much to others and it wasn't at all healthy for me emotionally because I wasn't being fair to myself in the process.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2015/04/08/new-study-links-facebook-to-depression-but-now-we-actually-understand-why/#4b29096d1e6d

I won't say that I agree with every single aspect of the Forb's article, but overall, I do think it makes a lot of sense because that is what I've heard so many people say who have used Facebook. Because Facebook offers its users an almost endless amount of bandwidth for uploading photos and videos, it has become a place to post imagery of major life events that are monumental and noteworthy.

For instance, a Facebook friend of yours posts their entire collection of wedding photos, but your husband walked out on you last week and filed for divorce. It's not that you're not happy for your friend, but it's more that you feel like the light is shining on you and then you feel self-conscious. Maybe your buddy posts how excited he is that he got a major job promotion and you just lost your job at the factory that shut down the week before. It's not envy or jealousy as much as it is that you are becoming self-aware of what you perceive as your shortcomings.

So is this a Facebook problem or more of a problem with the way society shares information about their wins in life and never about dealing with a difficulty in their life? It's almost like the user tries to filter out the bad and only portray the good! I think this has become a modern cultural problem that impacts society both online and offline.

Having said that, I do think that there tends to be more of a boastful atmosphere that Facebook users foster, which doesn't necessarily depict real life. You see, life can be tough and life can be wonderful but that's what makes it beautiful. Over the past few months, I have tried to be more transparent and authentic so that others will see the real me. Perhaps in doing so, I can show more people that I am an everyday person that has good times and bad...Struggles as well as triumphs!

This is what I really appreciate about Steemit because we are a platform that exchanges information on a wide range of topics and do so in a way that is generally positive and real to life as much as possible. Nothing is perfect, but I do think that Steemit is a place where we foster an environment of transparency, which I believe is the first step to creating a healing among those who may have been hurt or disappointed in past social media settings. I would encourage you to share your thoughts and comments!

I want to thank you for taking the time to stop by to check out my video blog. I appreciate all of your support as it truly means a lot. Don't forget you can follow me @breakingtonight

Have a wonderful evening! :)