Social Media Zombies and The Walking Dead – Online Athens

Beware the Walking Dead

By Michael M. DeWitt, Jr.

"You know whats wrong with young people today?" my friend, a local business owner and employer, asked.

"Do tell," I said, expecting to hear about disrespecting tradition, ear and nose piercings, sex and gender roles, rap music, and pants sagging to the ground, but his answer totally surprised me.

"They are turning into Zombies. The Walking Dead. They dont even know how to walk. Look at that new kid over there. He walks in slow motion, aimlessly, like he has nothing to do and nowhere to be."

I followed his pointed finger but didnt see any employee. I saw what looked like a piece of furniture, or maybe a tall wall lamp, wearing a Fortnite t-shirt and a Grand Theft Auto hat with a straight bill. Wait a minute, did it move? Was it even breathing? No, maybe not.

"I sent that kid to get me a package 30 minutes ago, but hes walking like a Zombie. I am waiting on The Return of the Mummy. I might be retired and on Social Security by the time he gets back. Hey, do you remember how they got rid of them Walkers in that Walking Dead TV show? Do you have to stab them with a wooden stake, or chop off their heads? Just curious..."

Suddenly, the kids phone went off and like a flash he sprang to life, texting, checking messages, updating Instagram, watching TikTok, and hashtagging. It was a miracle.

Kids these days. Social Media Zombies. Woke Walkers. Motorola Mummies. iPhone Imhoteps. But before we go chopping off any heads, lets hear a different point of view.

Are People Becoming Social Media Zombies?

By Mae Frances Bing

Social media is great. It connects us with people around the world and entertains us with one tap.

With the increase of different apps and platforms, when you look around you will discover that almost every individual has their heads sucked into a screen. Im also guilty of this. I know weve all experienced eating dinner with an individual who pulls out their phone to snap a picture of their food, or witnessed your aunt post an awkward selfie on Facebook every morning. Many, including myself, find ourselves scrolling on our phones for what seems like hours.

I wouldnt consider myself to be a social media zombie. I dont post awkward selfies everyday like your aunt. I might post a few pictures of my food, but not every time I dine out. I would say that Im addicted to social media in different ways.

When Im logged out of Facebook or Instagram, I sometimes feel anxious because I think that Im missing something, such as local and national news. Just like everything else, theres a good and bad side to everything. In addition to screen addiction, social media is also associated with topics such as invasion of privacy and cyberbullying.

But social media is often used for positive things, such as raising money for charity or people in need, raising awareness about problems in society, or helping a business expand and aiding a content creator in sharing their work. Before the birth and popularity of social media, it was difficult to do those things. If you wanted to push your brand or content out to your audience, you had to have a lot of resources and connections. Today, anyone can set up a camera and record videos, or make a business page on Facebook and Instagram.

On a more macro level, many successful companies are realizing that they must find new and innovative ways to stay relevant. I believe technology and social media causes us to think outside of the box with our creativity, because there are tons of people competing for the same space and attention.

Everyones definition of "social media zombie" may be different, and many are addicted to their devices in their own ways. Everyone should know their limit. Sometimes I completely shut my phone off to take a small break away from it, and you should, too.

In defense of all zombies, however: I recently saw an Instagram photo of people on a New York subway during the 50s. Every person on the subway had their heads down reading a newspaper. In that way, theres hardly any difference between social media and newspapers. Whether we agree with certain things or not, time changes along with technology. We all have to learn how to adapt to the changes or well be left behind.

As for walking? Well, its overrated when you have a hoverboard.

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Social Media Zombies and The Walking Dead - Online Athens