Recently, I was asked by a classmate for my Instagram so they could follow me and we could chat. I told them that as much as I would like to give that information to them, I had to decline their request. It then went to trying to get me to set up an account, but I knew better and politely thanked them for helping and I would do it at home, which I didn't. You'd think that everyone, especially a teen like me, would have some form of social media like Instagram, TikTok, or even Twitter-X. Well, that's not the case for me, and I'll explain why.
As a kid, my mom would show me what she saw on Instagram from quinceañera dresses to funny Mexican memes and videos. I have always been fascinated with the idea of an app where people could just post stuff and the world could see. I only had a tablet and dreams for now, but my world was about to change. 2 months before I turned 12, I got my first phone. It was my mom's old Samsung S8, but I didn't mind. I was more than ready to have it, and then I learned I wasn't going to have much freedom with it. My dad explained the rules now with this magical device. I was to only use it for communication, YouTube, and that was it. If I wanted to install a game, I would have to ask for permission and that alone came with more rules. It seems like a hassle, but I was a good kid, so I was able to get a few games. It was fun until, well, it wasn't anymore.
Like sniffing dogs, my then-7th grade class attacked me with questions like "What's your Instagram??" and "Do you have TikTok??". Even my friends that I was with since 4th grade only cared about my socials and wouldn't talk to me on Google Chat unless I told them. That was my first sign that social media was dangerous because it was the only thing people would want from someone. It didn't matter if you were a smart kid or you were the popular kid, it was "Hi there, do you have Insta. Great. Give me your handle." It was absurd! Then in 8th grade, I was being mocked for everything I did. Being nice, knowing useful things, and even just breathing was something for them to pick at. I knew their weakness and to make them helpless, I swore to myself to never download any socials and never post on YouTube. If they hate me so, then thou shall face me in the flesh. Graduation was a joy as no then-8th grader wanted to talk to me. I made them fear me, but the little kids came to play, so all was well.
I never got social media because I knew too well of the aftermath for me. I would just be a sad, personality-less being and ask for everyone's account. I still have kept my oath, and I couldn't be bothered to break it. So why don't I have social media? Short answer: I simply know too much.