In my opinion , I think in England there is a generation coming through where all anyone cares about is likes on instagram. Constantly buying things to impress people we don't like. I'm in the 18-30 age bracket now and I feel this is where the real problem lies , there's so much more to life than gym and selfies but that's all anyone really cares about because of the mess that is social media /reality tv on our screens. Looking up to people on love island / geordie shore it's crazy. Social media is a big player as all you'll ever see is the positives of what your 'friends' are up too and of course I do think relationships these days are affected because of it. Like I said I'm in the 18-30 Bracket but it's horrible to think what it must be like having everyone judge you at a finger tip in the age bracket below growing up.

I actually live in New Zealand now and everyone over here throughout all ages has a different outlook on life than they do here and I think it's amazing positive all this materialistic mindset created in the uk isn't a thing . The uk society in general is in an absolute mess and as you asked I do think social media plays a huge part in that.

I got rid of Facebook. If you think what it actually makes it's money on, it's advertising. For any marketing company, you are looking for every subtle way in which you can work your way in to people's psyches. When you're facebook, and have a similar financial input to a small country, you can do that to the max.

We know that they can track your cookies in websites which have an inbuilt Facebook widget, but mmost people don't know they can also track most purchases you make on your card. They know you incredibly well, and can target you with ads as such.

And of course multiple studies show that people say they are happier who don't use social media than who do. So just kick back and enjoy life without trying to impress people

If punk ever happened I'd be preaching the law, instead of listenin to Lydon lecture BBC4

Facebook creates a comforting environment presenting people with content that matches their outlook on life. There is little pushback, and where that is the case people typically become a more extreme example of what they already are. Group polarisation. A fair few people have essentially become detached from society as a whole as a result of social media. Which is quite ironic.

Edited by wordup (27 Dec 2017 3.55pm)

Pretty much. Social media is certainly changing the way people behave and perceive the world, which is of concern. I think we all must have examples of people who were a bit 'out there' or problematic previous to social media, who have now been tipped totally over the edge in part due to it. It feeds people what they want, which isn't always what's good for them.

Edited by wordup (27 Dec 2017 4.39pm)

The old 'if it's free, you're the product'

I just can't believe how peoples personalities change on Facebook.

For example when someone posts a picture of one of their sprogs, and then you get a load of feckwits commenting how gorgeous it is, when everyone knows it's an ugly little barsteward.

Or someone posts that they're having the time of their life with their partner at The Dog & Duck, hoping to get a reply. Who gives a toss.

It's all so fake and cringeworthy.