Effects of Social Media

In Social Media: How Does It Really Affect Our Mental Health and Well-Being?, it talks about Facebook addiction and how researchers have developed a new scale to measure this type of addiction called the Berge Facebook Addiction Scale. I personally have never heard of this before reading the article so I thought that was very interesting that people are so consumed by social media that we have developed new diagnoses. I also found it interesting to find that more people who are anxious are more likely to use social media. It also said that those who were socially insecure use it more often, which makes sense to me because the more 'likes' and 'comments' on your post can reassure someone who feels insecure. This article also made me realize how much it can have an effect on someone's self-esteem, and not just through cyber-bullying. While so many people do talk themselves up on social media, some people feel inferior to others just because some may have more accomplishments than they do. This can really have a detrimental affect on one's self-esteem and self-worth. But through all of the negative that social media brings, a study is now developing on how to "spread happiness" through social media. Researchers believe that the more positive things you post on your own pages, the more positive things your friends will post. 

In How Social Media Affects Us: Your Brain on Facebook, Twitter, and More, you learn how certain uses of technology, including texting, status updates, Google, Twitter, and Facebook, affect your brain. People today are like Pavlov's dogs when texting. You hear a notification sound and expect to hear new information. Texting also lights up the same areas of the brain as heroine or cocaine. The release of dopamine when receiving a text allows the act to become more addicting. Texting can also negatively impact an individual's linguistic ability to interpret or accept words. People can now remember more of where they found information rather than the information itself, all thanks to your search engines. Researchers also say Facebook is now a way for people to monitor their reputation instead of communicate. 

In my opinion, we need to change the ways we use social media back to what they were originally meant for: communication. Social media has such a negative connotation now, but we have all allowed it to become an extra evil we have to deal with. We don't need to let it consume our lives. Instead of messaging that person on Facebook about what happened in class, why don't you ask them in person? We are becoming a society that is lacking social interaction. I know I am guilty of it myself. I think we all just need to take a step back and look at what we are using social media for and how we can change it for the better. 

Why am I here?

Hi there! Here's a little bit about myself.

My name is Jordan Gray, but most people call me Jo. I'm a junior Family and Consumer Science Education major at Henderson State University. I graduated from Benton High School in 2012. I have three siblings: Josh, Becca, and Taylor. I also have a niece Mystik and nephew Hayden, plus another nephew on the way! My godson, Jaxson, will be arriving in December. These babies mean the world to me, and are part of the reason I would love to become a teacher. My parents, Treasea and Bill, have been together for over 20 years. My dad and I bond over football games and reptiles. My mom is one of the biggest blessings anyone could ever have. She is an amazing woman, and I hope to be just like her. My family and friends are the most important thing to me.

Family at this past Christmas, minus my brother. From left to right: Taylor, Becca, Mystik, me, mom, Hayden, dad.

Josh and I. Go ahead and ignore the weird face I'm making. 

I am one of those sorority girls, but definitely not the partying type that everyone associates with Greek life. When I joined Alpha Sigma Tau, I found a second family, a home away from home. I hadn't found my place on this campus until I met this amazing group of women. I love Greek life, no matter what others think. If you're interested in going Greek, I am more than happy to answer any questions you have!

Homecoming 2014 with my sisters and President Glen Jones!

I have two best friends who have been there for me no matter what. Haley and I have been friends with since the 6th grade, and she made me the godmother of her son. She drives me absolutely crazy, but I know I will always have a friend in her. She and I have been through a lot together. No matter the length of time we don't talk, whether a few days or a few months, we can always pick up where we left off.

Haley looked great in her maternity photos!

My other bestie, Brittany and I have been friends since the 8th grade. I just call her B usually. She's the one who talked me into going to Henderson. She was my first roommate and she's also my pledge sister. Right now, she's off fulfilling her dream of being in the Disney College Program, and I couldn't be more proud of her. This semester has definitely been a harder one with her being away, but I'll have her back in December to continue our college adventures!

Brittany and I 

I only have one pet, a bearded dragon named Reptar. I did have a few snakes as pets too. I guess you could call me a reptile enthusiast. I promise they're not as scary as you think. And no, I've never been bitten by one of my reptiles.

There's very few hobbies I have, which include crafting and fishing (when I have someone to fish with me). Painting is something I kind of fell into when I joined my sorority. I never considered myself to be very artistic, but I've really grown to love crafting and painting. I try to craft anytime I can when I'm free.

Razorback and Reddie football is about the extent of sports for me. Just never been a big fan of other sports. I can sit down and watch a football game, but other sports are just dreadful.

First nationally televised Reddie game!

This blog was started originally because it was a requirement for a class. Heck, I didn't even have any idea on how to create a blog before this class, but I may choose to actually stick with it! My blog will mainly be about my daily life: college, sorority, things I experience, new things I learn to love, etc.