Impact of social networks on Mental Health
Hello dear community, today, now, I want to -I could say- unburden myself, and it is that writing helps to drain. I want to start by remembering the following, when I came to live in this country where I currently reside, Colombia, I remember that I used to go on Facebook a lot, something I have never done often, but since it is one of the most used social networks, it is the ideal way through specific groups, to get some kind of job, or at least something that would tell you where to start.
Until this part of the story everything is fine, but it turns out that xenophobia is not only present in person, with gestures, words or phrases, but in every group where the human being is there will be someone who wants to take advantage of the situation to take advantage or in this case, to show signs of dehumanization. I make reference to this because in these groups there were always those who, natives of Colombia or even from other countries, used the pseudo anonymity to let their ideas that go hand in hand with feeling superior to us, Venezuelans, be satiated.
In view of this reality, I preferred to stay away from any social network that most people use (facebook, instagram), for mental health. Because it's not nice that, even when it's not towards you directly, to read offenses against "Venezuelans ". So I focused on the good things I could do and luckily I have been able to achieve good things, I have met many nice people and without a doubt others that are not, but that's what it's all about, or isn't it.
*To be able to contemplate everything in fullness to have a more global vision of things.
But, since a couple of weeks ago it became news the rape of a Venezuelan woman in Argentina by a young entrepreneur who drugged her in a job interview and then raped her, discovered in flagrante delicto and in spite of that released. Last week, specifically in Peru, there was the murder of a Venezuelan by Peruvian criminal groups, who charge people to let them work, this Venezuelan was simply killed in cold blood, everything was recorded in a security video.
As if this were not enough, recently a couple of Venezuelans, in retaliation, threw a Peruvian from a bridge, losing his life, and this has brought consternation throughout the country, although I could say throughout the continent. I have not looked for this news, but he sends me videos about it. I really prefer to stay out of all these things, because my mental health is affected.
I live in a country that is not mine, and here too there is a generalized view of all Venezuelans, just as in other countries there is a generalization of Colombians, now, when you realize what happens in other countries in a certain way you fear for the viralization that happens of these violent events, and -even if you don't want to- you think that something like that could happen right where you are....
I just hope that these are just isolated events that I don't exactly have to live them closely, and that this same phenomenon of viralization becomes tangible but with good actions, because unfortunately we live in a society that is shocked by acts of aggression, but really seems to enjoy them...
I say goodbye, hoping you are all well.
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It is an unfortunate reality but not so current, xenophobia has been one of the most acute problems of society, in fact xeno is a Greek word meaning stranger. We not only live it with the Venezuelans in South America but also with the Africans in Europe. I lived in Colombia in my youth, many years ago when the bolivar cost 20 pesos and Venezuelans were a kind of sheikhs who were revered. Now the situation is different and it is clear that everything has a socio-political environment because it is not typical of the American, who is the product of the combination of many races, to feel aversion for others who live in the continent.
Hi @joseph1956
Certainly 20 years ago things were different. The vision of the Venezuelan and of Venezuela in the other countries were totally opposite things to the current ones.
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Don't pay attention to the bad news and focus on the good side of the force.
But what if only bad news is the norm. Like Covid time so much was there...world is suffering and bad things happen here, you got to know it, than cushion yourself right. Then how will we understand reality, accept it and work for a better tommorow?
Yes, the best thing to do is to focus on the good, without a doubt, although sometimes the context can lead to isolation.
I have several things to say on this... I used to vent on social media FB mostly... and well... mostly about Indian incidents, crimes and stuff. You mention of one rape, but that's nothing compared to so many gang rape and murder news in India. It's painful and everyone gets fearful because those crimes happened for simpily being out at night not very late and damn violent.
And other news too... really made me hate my country and vent and I lost lots of so called FB friends who unfriended me because I am negative.
That was past. I hardly do much in FB anyway now...but it was helpful for networking, all those Artificial Intelligence stuff knows the kinds of events you interested in and you get motified, so your entertained. I know when a shopping or drama program is there somewhere, the events of groups I am part of - tree planting, lake cleaning, trekking and so on, also music concerts.
So FB was useful...and through FB atleast in my City, one group emerged, that got together and planned campiagns to have the Government not do a steel flyover, that was to wipe out trees, increase cars, pollution and more. That campaign worked, although there was immense struggle, and campaigns, ofcourse FB was used to spread the word and connect but on ground we went and implemented the campaigns.
Thia Citizens group is now very prominent, lobbying for a lot of things - from cycle lanes, to bus fare reductions, to stop tree cutting and they made Governemnt implement and follow decentralised governance in very area. This helped in Covid management at local area.
So, FB can be used for wonderful things too...
Ofcourse, trolls and fights on opininons online have seen that, its very negative.
And people like politicians are spreading hate messages in our country.
Positives also I got introduced to programs like Jay SHetty's Genius who motivates us with his videos and it helped a bit to be better me, FB videos from people like Nas too...
Youtube, yes I use it to watch my favorite crypto Gurus Data Dash and Crypto Lark, but that platform is used to watch pon too currupting minds of youth, I know of men who have got currupted watching pon... although its not youtube alone too many other pon sites, quite disgusting for those who don't watch that stuff!!
Twitter I use only to join tweeter strom campaigns generally organised by the Citizens group.
Anyway...my conclusion. No one is perfect, but real friends are not on FB for sure, there fore is more for networking for me, now its useless. I hardly do anything than stay at home, do crypto, home chores, execise, meditate, read books and laze in the sun shine downstairs in my compound ot Balcony, all this post Covid, I have become completely averse to this information from sicial networks. I read news too and write stuff.
And although lots of rapes in India...there are strong and independent women which are common here of the middle class, so safe living is very much possible here, although strong, confident, assertive women much one needs to be, saying in general, I really look up to such women for inspiration.
Hi @mintymile
Wow, you are one of the few people who actually spends a lot of time leaving great commentsand that speaks well of you. I imagine you must be a very chatty person.
I have heard and read of terrible things in India, also from Africa, around violence against women. It is unfortunate that this is the case, because at this point in the century we are supposed to be more civilized. And it seems that this is not the case at all.
I see that you have a very active life as an activist, I guess it always involves risk, like everything we do in life. But if it does you good to do it, you have to keep going, there is certainly a lot we can fight for.
Thank you for this wonderful comment.
@josevas217, I was a activist, powered by all the inspiration and support bestowed by Citizens Group.
India is a poor country, crimes happen because most of them are in poverty, and live in bad atmosphere like no food, and slums and they provably do drugs and stuff and no education.
Women are vulnerable weather they are Indian, Venezulean or American when society is patriarcal...
I have some experience in life as a little activist...had a movement of fame, I also lobbied mostly for greenery to save trees and all...
I also acquanted with people who are activists, with lots of experience, a womens group called Shakthi that is lobbying for more women to be in the Parliament so that women are there to make laws on things like these.
No I am not chatty person, but I can be a story teller at times, mostly on activism, travelling and such experiences. All these make me forget fear when I hear about crimes, connect with the outside world, meet awesome people and get experiences to talk about.
I am also a crypto enthusiast and I rabble on crypto to people and they are amazed by my knowledge on it(: ha...ha...
Someday I will tell stories of a person who cycled around India, all villages, Cities spreading the word on Gender freedom and stuff, it has travel bits, experience on food he tasted, experience of interacting with people.
Actually activism, is nothing but making community to lobby for a cause. This is because together, we stand, divided we fall. There is strenght in numbers and you are safe mostly if your a group activitist - plan, stratergise course of action... attract media attension, have groups where you sign petitions, protest outside. They are should be peaceful, without anger so violence don't happen, else your campaign is crushed.
Now, we all are activists, students, muslim ladies, against some Govt. policies, and others who are still comfortable at their homes and their lives, waiting they stand up too and raise voice so we built a better society and all.
But I am no activist now, just someone, doing crypto, reading books, news and spending time with cats. However, activism is fun for sure, being part of it feels good.
Greetings @josevas217
Social networks like facebook, are spaces where that perverse side of the human being comes to light, like you I did not frequent to use that social network, and in this context I practically stopped using it completely, you are right this kind of platforms like facebook have become portals where attacks flooded towards Venezuelans. Greetings and take care of yourself, you never know who of the people who are in our environment may represent danger.
Hi @lupafilotaxia
Yes, the best thing to do is to stay out of all that and not think about it so much. I think we have enough with what we do, with solving all our daily realities without adding more worries.
Certainly social networks use it to offend xenophobia is widespread in all and in some way they usually cause that effect that you mention. Since I got to know the platform, I have distanced myself a lot from Facebook and Twitter, there are many offenses for fellow Venezuelans.
For mental health, I agree with you, it is good to stay away from social networks.
Note, here sometimes it can happen too.
Exactly, those networks are full of bad messages, but the best thing would be to keep mentally distant from that, knowing that there are different realities, and difficult.
To think that in my mind the Latin/South Americans have somewhat of a shared history and to read all of this. Makes me sad. You know, when I grew up Venezuela was one country in South America that I did want to visit, because I learned of how beautiful and developed the country is/was and the history of how that country came to be.
Anyway, that's the risk that comes with the displacement of peoples; forced labor and trafficking of people and all that comes with it. I sure hope the UN will do something about it and ensures the safety of people. And I know what you mean about social media; how this news could affect your daily mood and your health. Stay strong and healthy! 💪
Hi @tanjakolader
It is true, all South American countries have a common history, in fact, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, were liberated from the Spanish Crown by a Venezuelan in the 19th century. Venezuela in its times of glory welcomed all nationalities, but things have changed. And obviously, the future takes a lot of turns and you never know what could happen...
I hope you get to know my country, where everyone is welcome. But of course, in better conditions, not in the current ones. Thank you very much for commenting.
Yes... I learned about Simon Bolivar in school and the Independence and hope of a united South America.
I also hope to see Venezuela one day, when it's restored again in its glory or even better times. I indeed saw some (news) footage and videos online and it really saddened me to see the setbacks of the state and the poverty.
Bless!
I think social media has done a lot of harm especially in this era where people are becoming addicted to their social media devices. The rate at which bad news spread at an alarming rate has led to people's mental health being affected negative. I would not blame people that stay away from social media, they are only protecting their mental health.
Nice piece buddy
Yes my friend @samminator
They can really do a lot of damage, it's best to stay out of it a lot of times, because the mind definitely ends up affected.
Thanks for commenting.
hi dear @josevas217
I saw those videos yesterday and I could not sleep, I have 3 brothers in Peru and they say that this is not in the capital but they still have everyone under alert, it is incredible that people go to those extremes due to xenophobia, there is no fear of God , I told my brothers that they prayed every day before leaving the house a short prayer does not cost anything.
god bless you
Hi @ramsesuchiha
Wow, I hope your siblings are doing well in Peru, really, that can really get on anyone's nerves, take care of yourselves, I hope this all ends soon
Hello friend, I support you in your decision, I used to be much more addicted to social networks, today I think that has diminished somewhat because I have focused on other things and because I think it is healthier for our mental health, disconnecting from the networks motivates you to experience other things and to spend your time on something worthwhile. I rarely watch the news but sometimes it is inevitable to find out what is going on around you. Greetings!
Hi @franyeligonzalez, that's another thing, apart from the fact that for mental health it's usually not the best thing, to waste so much time on something that really is very unproductive. But, eventually you end up finding out about things, even if you don't want to.
Greetings friend @josevas217.
It is very true what you share with all of us in relation to the influence of social networks in our mental health, personally I do not use them at all, on one occasion I opened an account on facebook to support a friend with my vote in a certain contest, but many people use these social media to shoot anyone regardless of the consequences.
Therefore, I think it is best to stay away and if we ever use it, it would be for specific things that allow us to communicate properly with someone or for other positive things for us, that is, we must be selective in its use.
Thank you for such interesting content.