robably sound like a Gen X right now, but it's true, whether we like to admit it or not. Even though, I myself am someone who uses social media for a brand/business, I understand that there is a difference between working, and being glued to your phone. It's a fine line, but it is evident. If you were to look at my phone, you would see that I have more apps than I would like to admit, but it's the best and easiest way to connect....right?

Wrong.

1. People are always refreshing for notifications.

Nothing is more satisfying than hearing the buzz, bleep, or ding of notifications lighting up our phone. Seeing your screen wake up with multiple icons somehow makes you feel important, yet when it's all said and done, do you feel any different? Sure there are a bunch of likes, and comments telling you what you want to hear, but does it really count if you don't know who these people are?

2. Your life is always documented.

You get that perfect look of food, angle of your selfie, group of friends looking like they're having fun right? Welly why not document it all! I know myself, I've been caught doing all of this, and of course you want to memorize these moments, however, is it really necessary to tell everyone what you just ate? Chances are, you are going to look back at this, and just criticize yourself over the past, rather than remember the funny moments you shared.

3. Everything is being seen through a screen, rather then with your own eyes.

Now a days, people are always looking through a screen. I find that even though we are enjoying the beautiful mountains, or seeing a wild animal up close, it's still through a lens. Like I said before, I get caught up into it, but I'm noticing more now than ever that people are becoming more bored with what's right in front of them, because they don't have "WiFi" to entertain themselves while everyone else enjoys the beauty of the world.

4. Relationships are being tested.

Whether it's seeing your S/O like someone else's photo, to them not changing their status update to "in a relationship" so the world knows you're not single anymore, relationships get tested. Spending time on your phone may be more important now, but wait until they walk out the door, and you aren't notified until he changes that status... I was at a restaurant with friends, and although we all end up on our phone at one point, we can actually sit there for hours and talk face to face, which is much more rewarding than texting. Across from us was a couple, and the woman was on her phone the entire time, talking to someone. The man looked indifferent, but it just shows how little respect there was between them. She didn't care to get off the phone, and he didn't care enough to ask her to hang up...

5. Hiding behind a user name doesn't change the fact that it's cyber bullying/prejudice/hate.

We all know it's out there. If we have been the bully or have become bullied ourselves, it's not right. What's so harmful of calling someone names if they don't know who did it? EVERYTHING. So many people now a days are turning to social media to bash on others in many forms, and those words actually have a powerful intention to it. When someone is cyber-attacked, they focus and obsess over those words until it's too late. So many stories are coming out of people (mostly teens) who are being hated on for who they are, and it's not right. What I don't get is, have they never learned the quote that says "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all." ?? All this hate for rumors, or for reasons that aren't even logical are turning so many people against one another. Words have power, and people need a better learning of using them before they spit it out for the world to see.

You may have been sucked in to one of these, like I have myself, but I find that we can have a healthy balance of social media and just enjoying life. Try not to obsess over those notifications, maybe reduce the amoutn of selfies you post in a day, and definitely report anything that has to do with spam, hate, and bullying.