How Social Media Makes Finding Purpose Harder

The problem of directionless youth is particularly acute today because people don't spend enough time getting to know anybody really well, least of all themselves. There is a major difference between knowing of or about another person and actually knowing another person.

The Illusion of Connection

In the age of the Internet and social media we are inundated with impersonal knowledge about other people. We have a staggering amount of information at our disposal, including where people live, where they were born, if they are married. In many cases we can even look through other people's personal photo albums. Yet none of this means that we know people better than we once did.

On the contrary, since we spend many hours per month on social networking sites, we have less time to spend getting to know people on a personal level. Whilst there was a time when socializing involved spending time with people in person, today much of that time is spent virtually. The results, however, are dissimilar.

The Numbers Paint a Picture

According to Pew Research Center, nearly half of U.S. teenagers say they are online "almost constantly," and 95% have access to a smartphone. About 90% of teens use YouTube, roughly 60% use TikTok and Instagram, and the average teen spends hours each day on these platforms — a trend that the APA Health Advisory on Adolescent Social Media Use has flagged as concerning for adolescent development.

When we communicate via text message or social media we lose the non-verbal aspect of communication — facial expressions, body language, and tone that convey so much of our meaning. Youth are spending their social time communicating in a manner that is not conducive to getting to know each other really well on a personal level.

If We Can't Know Others, How Can We Know Ourselves?

Philosophers have noted the difficulty humans face in getting to know themselves on a personal level. We seem to know lots about ourselves, but that does not translate into us really knowing ourselves. Really getting to know ourselves takes effort.

In an age when young people are losing the art of getting to know others on a personal level, getting to know themselves becomes even more challenging. They simply are not used to knowing anything in the personal and intimate sphere. It is therefore not at all surprising that statistics show young people are less satisfied with their jobs than their parents were.

The Solution

Today more than ever, we need to be educating people to get to know themselves and the unique dimensions of their own shape. Starting with the simple idea that everyone has something unique to contribute, based on their own set of talents, abilities and passions, we have created a process that helps people discover their unique purpose.

We spent two years working one-on-one with youth and adult clients helping them discover their own unique passions and purposes. The moment a student recognizes that they have something unique to contribute to the universe they become engaged with the process and inspired and motivated to find their unique, positive purpose.

If you're a parent worried about your teen's screen time and direction, read our guide on how to help your teenager find their purpose. It is important for us to actually spend focused, face-to-face time with other people in order to get to know them. The ability to get to know people on a personal level rather than know about them is a skill that needs to be developed — and it's also helpful when it comes to getting to know ourselves.