5 Ways Social Media Transformed Our Lives
It’s actually insane when you think about how much our daily lives have changed since pre-social media days. I could go on a long rant, but let’s think about just 6 of the unexpected ways social media has changed our lives (for better or worse). There’s a million more, but here are a few that came to mind first
Instagram Eats First
photo taken for Mozz Pizza, stylized by SociaSavvy
Remember when a burger was just a burger - no matter how pretty it looked? Thanks to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, food has become an art form, a means of self-expression, and even a career path for food bloggers and culinary influencers. Let’s not even get into '#foodporn' and the fact that we now feel slightly guilty if we don't capture our avocado toast in the perfect morning light. When’s the last time you went to a nice dinner and DIDN’T take a picture before diving in? Who would’ve ever thought we’d feel compelled to photograph our food???
2. Everyone Has a Voice (& an Opinion)
There is no denying that social media has given a voice to the masses! Everyone & their dog (I know you have a friend that has a social media account for their pet), can post their thoughts about anything for others to view, comment on, and argue about. Watching the news or reading the newspaper used to be the predominant way to find out what was going on in the world. Today, we're as likely to discover world events from a friend's post as we are from a traditional news outlet. Twitter has become a digital town square where breaking news unfolds in real time, and Instagram stories let us experience world events through the eyes of those who are living them. For better or worse, news is a completely different thing post social media.
3. The Democratisation of Fashion
photo taken for Indy Clover, stylized by SociaSavvy
Gone are the days when fashion was confined to the glossy pages of Vogue. With platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, fashion inspiration is always at our fingertips. Whether it's a friend's outfit-of-the-day (#OOTD) post or a fashion blogger's capsule wardrobe tutorial, style has been democratised - making it easier to know what is on-trend with a LTK link to buy it right now. If you need more proof of this, just think about what you wore in 8th grade vs. what 8th graders wear now. Yikes.
4. Marketing Money is Hitting Up Stories, Not Mailers
Social media has completely changed the world of marketing (which, hi, if you’re here, you know that already). Social accounts give brands a direct line to their audience, transforming the relationship from purely transactional to a conversational and friendly connection. From sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses on IG stories, to replying to comments, to handling customer complaints on Twitter, brands have a new opportunity to connect, empathize, and humanize themselves. Our favorite brands are now just a DM away and are sponsoring our favorite influencer’s lives for us to copy.
5. Following Healthy Habits
Fitness marketing of the past was all about the gym and trending diets. While the world of social media certainly plays into that, it has also made fitness more attainable. Whether it’s through influencers who put on Instagram Live workout sessions or nutritionists sharing meal prep videos, social media has become a powerful platform for health and wellness. And if we’re being honest, for wayyyy cuter workout clothes.
And all of that is just the tip of the iceberg! From our habits to our style, our workout regime to our formation of opinions - social media has truly altered the ways we live our lives. It’s exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time. Whether you like it or not, social media makes HUGE social change.
