‘Disturbing and pitiful’

The findings in the article “At 10 hrs, 2 mins a day, Filipinos spend most time online” (Marketing Pulse, 2/1/19) that Filipinos spend an average of four hours and 12 minutes a day on social media is disturbing and pitiful for four reasons.

First, except for working and sleeping, anything done for four hours a day daily is excessive, and anything in excess is vicious. Moderation is a virtue.

Second, all that time could have been spent on various worthwhile activities. If we spend four hours a day on only one activity, we miss a variety of wonderful things life has to offer.

Third, “there is very little, if any, doubt that social media obsession increases feelings of loneliness and alienation,”  wrote Blake Snow in his book “Log Off: How to Stay Connected After Disconnecting.”

Fourth, electronic  encounters are illusory and superficial. That’s four hours of illusion and shallowness. In comparison, face-to-face interactions are more socially fulfilling because they are more affectionate, emotional and intimate.

In summary, for ethical uprightness, life balance, mental health and more rewarding interpersonal relationships, we should reduce our social media use, or even completely quit.

JORI GERVASIO R. BENZON, Pandacan, Manila, joribenzon@gmail.com