World Social Media Day 2025: How social media shaped us, and continues to do so

Today, 30 June, is World Social Media Day. Most of us have already marked the occasion in our own quiet way. If you checked Instagram before brushing your teeth or opened WhatsApp while having your morning tea, you have already taken part in the celebrations. Social media is no longer something extra in our lives. It’s simply part of the routine.

 

A few years ago, social media was simple. People shared photo albums from holidays or wrote birthday wishes on friends’ walls. Today, it’s where we get to read news, chat with people, get updates, and sometimes scroll just to relax. Slowly, it stopped being just fun. It became something we depend on.

 

In Gujarat, the government used the occasion to reflect on how social media has become a vital tool for public service. State departments like Gujarat Police and Cyber Dost now use Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to share everything from flood alerts and traffic updates to scam warnings and missing person reports. What once required press conferences or official notices now reaches the public within seconds. These updates feel faster, but also more personal and direct.

 

And this shift isn’t unique to Gujarat. Across India, government bodies are using social media to connect with people more effectively. A quick post from a verified account often reaches citizens faster and more clearly than traditional press releases. Social platforms have also become spaces where small suggestions can grow into powerful movements. Do you remember the #SelfieWithDaughter campaign? It started as a single post and turned into a nationwide celebration of daughters. In a similar way, the #GreenIndiaChallenge began with one sapling and inspired the planting of thousands of trees.

 

But not to forget social media has its problems too.

 

We still face trouble with fake news. A message forwarded in a WhatsApp group or a video shared without checking facts can cause fear or confusion. Some deepfake videos look real but are completely false. Even though platforms now try to warn users with fact-check labels or limit forwards, wrong information still spreads quickly.

 

There’s also another side we don’t always talk about which is how being online all the time makes us feel.

 

Young people, especially teens, are finding it hard to switch off. They feel pressure to stay active, post often, and compare themselves to others. Some feel tired or low even if they haven’t done much that day. Parents are noticing this too. They see their kids staying up late, checking their phones again and again, or feeling low when a post doesn’t get enough likes. It worries them—and many feel helpless, unsure of how to help without sounding critical. But at the same time, they also see times when social media brings their children joy—connecting with friends, sharing creative ideas, or learning something new. It’s a mix of concern and appreciation, all unfolding quietly behind the screen.

 

Some changes are starting to take shape. Instagram now reminds users to pause and take a break. Also, schools are slowly beginning to talk about digital well-being. And organisations like the Indian Council of Medical Research are looking into how screen time affects mental health. These aren’t big fixes, but they are a step in the right direction.

 

So, what does World Social Media Day really mean in 2025?

 

It’s not just about apps or hashtags. It’s a moment to pause and think. Are we using social media to share things that really matter? Are we being kind, not just to others, but also to ourselves? Are we spending time online in ways that help us feel connected, not overwhelmed?

 

Because when used thoughtfully, social media can be a powerful tool. It keeps us close to friends and family, helps us learn about stories from different corners of the world, and even gives us quick access to important news and updates. A post, a reel, or a message: sometimes that’s all it takes to spark change, start a conversation, or simply make someone smile.

 

So maybe today isn’t about going viral. Maybe it’s about using these platforms with more care. Sharing something meaningful. Reaching out to someone. Or just stepping away from the screen for a while to enjoy what’s right in front of us.

 

Because the online world will always be there but the moments that really shape us often happen beyond the screen.

Society