IN LOVE WITH A GHOST !!!

A few weeks ago, I took my phone for some slight repairs. The technician held it for some hours trust me I was losing it. What was I supposed to do with my life ?? Just watch people? I didn’t know it would take that long so I never bothered to bring a book with me or a backup phone to keep me engaged. It felt like torture.

Looking back I ask myself; how was it for my grandparents growing up ??what did the world look like before social media ??

We live in the era of social media an era that we have seen evolve day by day. By the time you see this today something else has already come up .The evolution of social media has been fueled by the human impulse to communicate and by advances in digital technology. It is a story about establishing and nurturing personal connections at scale.

Growing up during this progressive time period, I believe that the rise of social media has allowed our generation to adapt to this so called “digital world.” With such revolutionary change that has universally improved our standard of living, people have become highly dependent on technology. It is impossible to imagine the world without technology because it has become such a controlling factor in our lives and influenced the way we write in several ways.

But have you ever considered your safety online ?? We live in an era whereby everyone wants to be seen everyone wants to be heard. Opinions are being spewed left right and center. People are sharing their wins and it sometimes can leave you feeling like a fraud. What does this make you want to do? Level up! As you scroll always remember that no one is posting their fails don’t try to keep up move at your pace. Take what you can and leave what you can’t handle. Be safe.

This is because Social media has become a place for people to be brutally honest, fake and take advantage of it. It has allowed people to create an image that has set a very high standard and people are trying to compete on a social ladder to keep up with that image. Society today can be characterized as being fast-paced and narcissistic, and social media is one of the factors that has made it such a place.

I will tell you a story about the life of a young man whose life was damaged by social media. As I shed light on this monster called cat fishing.We all want to Impress but to what extent are we willing to go?? Yet again this piece has been inspired by a Netflix documentary dubbed “The girlfriend who didn’t exist”

It was a September day in 2012 when Manti Te’o was told his beloved grandmother had passed away.Just hours later, the American college football player was hit with more tragic news.

His girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, had died from leukemia, after surviving a near-fatal car accident months earlier.A rising Notre Dame football star, Te’o’s devastating loss quickly made headlines around the country. He had made a promise to play on her behalf and make her proud. He did ! Months later , it was to be revealed that Kekua didn’t die that September day. In fact, she never existed .The love of his life was alive and not only was she alive she didn’t exist. He had been catfished !!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mamamia.com.au/the-girlfriend-who-didnt-exist-true-story/amp/

I remember in high school I ever saw some girls get some random hot guy pics and create a Facebook profile then inbox some girl in school and have fun watching her fall in love with her imaginary boyfriend.The girl would end up completely decanted after she realized that she had been catfished by her peers! It was exciting to watch until it was your turn !!

Imagine falling in love with someone online then realize that this person doesn’t exist. This is enough to ruin your life. So my big question is how far are we willing to go when it comes to social media ?? What crimes are we committing behind the keyboards? Have you ever considered your safety and the safety of others online ?? Have you ever catfished anyone? Have you been a victim of catfishing ??

A catfish isn’t just a fish with whiskers. It’s a term for a person who pretends to be someone else online. A catfish uses fake photos, and sometimes a false persona, to find friends or romantic partners on the internet.

This is how you identify a catfish online ;

• You’ve searched their name on the internet but they don’t seem to exist. Or they do, but the photos don’t match the photos on their dating profile.
• They’re asking for money early into your relationship. They might be saying it’s to come and visit you.
• They’re telling you they love you, but you’ve only been talking for a couple of days or weeks.
• They’re avoiding face-to-face contact, either meeting up or video chats.
• They’re just a little bit too perfect.

If you’ve met someone online, it’s a good idea to make sure they are who they say they are.

One way to do this is to look them up on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or try to search their name on google .I agree ,not everyone has social media, but if someone’s on a dating app or website, they’re more likely to have some other form of social media.

A catfish usually cannot send you a candid selfie. They may have access to only a few pictures from whoever they are impersonating. So, if they can’t send you any pictures besides what is on their dating profile or social media page, they may be a catfish.

Never send nude or sexual photos to someone you haven’t met in person. A catfish may attempt to blackmail you with the images.

Whenever using social media I would advice you use this safety Mindset I ever read online

Computers can often give us a false sense of security. After all, no one can physically harm you through a computer screen. But to stay safe online, you’ll want to take a more cautious approach. Here’s one way to think about it: Treat the Internet as you would a shopping mall.

Most people don’t consider a mall to be an especially dangerous place. You can go there to shop and meet up with friends. But there are also small things you may do to stay safe, even if you don’t think about them very often. For example, you probably wouldn’t leave your car unlocked or give your credit card number to a stranger.

Apply this same mindset whenever you’re online. You shouldn’t be afraid to use the Internet, but remember that it comes with many of the same risks you’d face in the real world. Be Safe y’all .