Rolfe 1

Kristie Rolfe

Kim Strickland

English 1010

04 April 2019

Consumer’s Memoir

If someone would have told you ten years ago that there would millions of people that

publically share pictures and videos of themselves and things in their own lives online and also

that they would have lists of friends or “followers” that can observe and comment on these

pictures and videos, would you have believed them? The impact that social media has on our

lives and society lately is mind boggling. Using Instagram, some people simply upload pictures

of themselves or their families while others form a group and focus on a specific topic or issue. I

find myself turning to Instagram for guidance on so many things in my life including decorating

my home, parenting advice, cooking and even health and fitness.

Instagram can give you a feeling of inclusion and comradery. A support group of sorts,

of a circle of people all interested in the same topic. About a year ago I started strongly focusing

on exercising, eating healthy and mainly losing weight. I started out just indepently focusing on

what I was eating and exercising more, but I knew that I wasn’t knowledgeable enough on the

subject to do it without another type of support. I searched out several Instagram accounts that

spotlight healthy eating and fitness and it was incredible how much it helped me. A group of

people all engrossed with the same motive as me offering tips and tricks and encouragement. I

would find pictures of healthy meals with a recipe attached for insight on how to eat healthy. I
 Rolfe 2

would see short videos of a certain exercise or workout for motivation to get myself moving. I

would find before and after pictures of people that had taken the same weight loss journey that I

was on that really inspired me to get headed in the right direction.

Health and fitness isn’t the only thing that I turn to Instagram for. I love finding accounts

that post home decorating ideas that are right up my alley and fit my taste and budget. Also,

connecting with other parents that share my same struggles and setbacks when it comes to

parenting young children and want and need to reach the same outcome gives me the feeling of

friendship and involvement. Many accounts that are ran by people local to my area offer ideas of

activities and things that I can do with my kids to keep them entertained and busy.

This coming together for support is just one of the great aspects one can use Instagram

for. My 90-year-old grandma lives in an assisted living center. She is in a wheelchair and

doesn’t get the opportunity to leave her building very often. She has children and grandchildren

and great-grandchildren that are spread all over the country. It would be next to impossible for

her to watch all of them grow and keep tabs on them without the help of social media. She can

see pictures of weddings and babies immediately after they are born. She can see birthday

parties and holiday celebrations. She can see big life events like graduations and other

accomplishments. Not only can she see snap-shots and videos of these events, but she can add

her own comment or congratulations and let the family know that she is enjoying their updates.

The joy that she feels just from being able to use her laptop to scroll through pictures of her

family is beyond compare. A concept that so many would have cherished years ago before

social media and even the internet were a reality.

 Rolfe 3

Although improving our own lives and family connections is of utmost importance,

businesses are also using the network to their advantage. Entrepreneurs and businesses can reach

a huge customer base by simply posting an advertisements or notice of a sale and any other

marketing ploys. Some business accounts even have contests and drawings to draw more

clientele to their page and to their business. I make sure that I follow all of my favorite stores on

social media to stay informed on the best deals and up to date information. That being said, it’s

genuinely a benefit for both parties involved; the business for gaining sales and the customer for

being made aware of a good deal.

It’s obvious that there are many advantages and benefits to our life’s from taking part in

the Instagram network. However, what are the drawbacks when it comes to social networking?

If we’re not careful, it would be easy for any social media platform to start to consume your life.

There’s a fine line between using it to improve your life and letting it take over your life. I know

of several people that seem to be almost addicted to social media and virtually dependent on it.

While I have never tried to drastically change the frequency that I use my own Instagram

account, I am confident that I would be perfectly fine without it, but obviously enjoy the positive

aspects it adds to my life. I do try to make sure that it is not high on my priority list. Certainly, I

have a number of things that always come before scrolling through Instagram: my family, my

kids, my religion, my work and my schoolwork. As a busy, working mom, social media can

often be to my benefit, but will always come second to these other things.

The ways that technology and social networking platforms like Instagram have changed

our lives are astounding. I can’t help but think of the differences that it has caused between the

world that I was raised in and the world I am raising children in. All things considered, as long
 Rolfe 4

we closely monitor our consumption of this fascinating platform, I think it can do great things to

improve our lives. I for one am appreciative of the positive things it has done for me.