A lifeline or amenace? Your say on social media

SOCIAL media provides a literal lifeline for a disabled man in Glasgow, while others warn of its ‘dangers’.

After a Mental Health Foundation survey revealed loneliness is prevalent amongst users, the Evening Times took to the streets to gauge reaction.

For Luke Murphy, a 22-year-old wheelchair user from Bellshill, social media is his route out of isolation.

Mr Murphy said: “Most of the time I am housebound, so social media can be my only way of connecting with the outside world.

“If it were not for social media I would be completely on my own.”

Graphic designer Callum Tosh agrees, with the 24-year-old pointing to usage of different age groups on different social media as evidence that it brings people together, not isolating them.

He said: “The real problem would come now from people’s fear of missing out, as they can now see what their friends are doing immediately.”

However, there was a strong feeling that the amount of time spent on so- cial media could become a problem.

Demi Allen, a 22-year-old law student from Glasgow, said: “The problem could well be that people rely on their phones, and being without them could lead them to feeling cut off.”

Twenty-three-year-old support worker Grace Whyte said: “It is all about moderation when you are online and how you manage it yourself.

“I think that it is contradictory for people to say that they feel lonely online and on social media as it is bringing people together.”

Meanwhile, a concern for those who are not yet in the 18-24 age bracket also came to the surface.

Ibinabo David-West, 21, said: “My worry would be for younger people, maybe those born since 2000, who do not know anything other than to use social media to connect with their friends and family.”

Newly unemployed due to health reasons, former support worker Xander Bond feels that it is important for him to stay in touch with others.

The 25-year-old, from Govan, said: “Without being able to go to work every day it is hard to keep up with friends and remain social.”