What would this reality be like if social media did not exist?

It is very difficult to imagine the current reality without social networks because these tools are used as entertainment tools, to work, to communicate with the individual environment, to shop, to meet new people, to find a job, to get information, among many other activities.

The truth is that you already know the reality without social networks if you were born before 2005, the year Facebook was created. You also know the reality without social networks when platforms such as Instagram, Youtube, WhatsApp, among others, are down globally and you are disconnected for a few hours. Young people are the ones who suffer the most from this temporary circumstance, but everyone goes through it when it happens.

Below are some possible scenarios that would manifest themselves if social networks did not exist.

It would take you longer to find out about any event

Nowadays, it is possible to know what is happening anywhere in the world just by looking at your smartphone. Before you had to wait a little to find out about any event of any kind. Today the opposite happens, there is excess of information. The news happens every second, there is no need to wait for the 8pm television news or the morning newspaper. Social networks are the mirror of immediacy and the reflection of a hyperconnected planet. Without this resource it would be a less informed society and less sensitive to the realities of other countries.

The current challenge is to process the excess of information and choose where to obtain information according to one's own criteria.

Find another source of stimulation

In a world without social networks, followers, likes or comments on various posts would not exist. Given this scenario, people would have to find other stimuli for their daily lives. Many individuals experience negative effects from comparing themselves to curated online personas. Without social media, this pressure might diminish, potentially leading to improved self-esteem and mental health for some individuals. Social media plays a significant role in how people express their identities. In its absence, individuals might explore their identities through more traditional means such as hobbies or local community involvement, possibly leading to a more authentic sense of self.

A better mental health

The absence of social media could have profound implications for mental health, potentially leading to both positive outcomes.

Without the constant comparison to curated online lives, individuals may experience a decrease in feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Studies indicate that social media use is linked to increased rates of anxiety and depression due to social comparison and the pressure to maintain an idealized online persona. A break from social media has been shown to enhance mental well-being and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Many people report disrupted sleep patterns due to late-night scrolling. Without social media, individuals might experience better sleep hygiene, leading to improved overall mental health.

Different bounds

Interpersonal relationships would likely be significantly different in a world without social networks. The absence of these digital platforms would reshape how individuals connect, communicate, and maintain relationships.

Without social networks, interpersonal communication would revert to more traditional forms, emphasizing face-to-face interaction. People would rely heavily on in-person meetings, phone calls, and handwritten correspondence. This shift could foster deeper connections as individuals engage more directly, allowing for non-verbal cues such as body language and tone to enhance understanding and emotional bonding.

The process of forming new relationships would also change. Social networks facilitate meeting new people based on shared interests or mutual friends. In their absence, individuals would likely need to rely on physical spaces such as workplaces, schools, or community events to meet others. This could lead to more localized friendships but might limit exposure to diverse perspectives and backgrounds that online platforms often provide.

Conclusion

If social networks did not exist, various possible scenarios would appear, some of which would be positive and others negative, always taking into account the individual perspective.

The only thing possible now is to adapt to social media and use it according to your own convenience, without allowing it to control any aspect of your life.