If you were born before the year 2000, you likely remember a world without social media – and you remember its origins (hello, MySpace). Now, however, it’s hard to imagine a world without it. There seems to be a form of social media for every aspect of life, from personal to professional – including dating, running and fitness, and more. Today, there’s an app for everything. What would happen if we woke up tomorrow and social media had simply vanished? These are just some of the adjustments that we would have to make to live our lives, once again, without being connected 24/7.

15 Things That Would Happen If Social Media Disappeared Tomorrow

Social media has become integral to our lives, impacting how we connect, communicate, and consume information. It has transformed the way we interact with one another and has revolutionized various aspects of our daily routines. But what if social media were to disappear overnight? Here are 15 things that would remarkably change if social media vanished from our lives.

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1. Dating

In a world without social media, dating would undergo a significant transformation. People would no longer rely on virtual matchmaking platforms but would revert to more traditional methods of meeting potential partners. Personal connections and real-life interactions would become essential in forming relationships. This can be seen as both positive and negative. Many successful couples have met via online dating apps and websites. However, there are just as many who feel that apps, swiping, and the superficial nature of profiles have made dating more difficult.

2. News Consumption

Social media has become a primary source of news for many individuals. If it were to disappear, how we receive and consume news would drastically change. Traditional news outlets would regain their importance, and people would need to depend on newspapers, television, and radio to stay informed. This would leave us all at the mercy of media outlets without other, more independent perspectives. That being said, it could reduce the amount of “fake news” that gets thrown around the internet.

3. Finding Jobs

LinkedIn, among other social media platforms, has revolutionized recruitment, allowing job seekers to find opportunities and connect with potential employers. Without it, job searching would become more challenging, and individuals would need to rely on other methods, such as networking events, job fairs, and online job boards. This would make it much more difficult for people to find international opportunities or even remote work.

4. Advertising

Social media platforms have become lucrative advertising mediums. The disappearance of social media would force businesses to explore alternative marketing channels, such as traditional advertising methods like print, radio, and television. Targeted advertising would become less precise and personalized. For some, this may be a positive or a negative thing.

5. Political Campaigns

The role of social media in political campaigns cannot be overstated. It has enabled politicians to connect with voters, spread their messages, and mobilize their supporters. In a world without social media, politicians would have to revert to traditional campaign methods like rallies, door-to-door canvassing, and televised debates. That being said, social media can often put you in your own bubble, where you only see information from people who have the same beliefs and opinions as you do. Returning to more traditional methods may help people to consider other points of view more often and vote in a more informed manner.

6. Activism and Movements

Social media has played a crucial role in empowering various social movements and shedding light on important issues. Its absence would make organizing protests and spreading awareness more challenging. Activists would need to rely on traditional forms of activism, such as public demonstrations, word-of-mouth, and grassroots organizing. As a positive, the lack of social media may put an end to ‘cancel culture,’ which many now view as having a negative impact rather than a positive one.

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7. Photo Sharing and Memories

How we capture, store, and share our memories would be drastically impacted. Social media platforms have become our digital photo albums, allowing us to share special moments with friends and family. Without them, we would need to revert to physical photo albums, USB drives, and other storage devices. On the plus side, we may be less preoccupied with looking good on social media and instead take more natural photos that actually depict our trips, vacations, and lives.

8. Celebrity and Influencer Culture

The rise of social media has given birth to the era of influencers and celebrities who gained fame through their online presence. The disappearance of these platforms would reshape how we perceive and idolize influencers. Traditional media outlets like television, magazines, and newspapers would regain their influence. It would become much more difficult for people to find fame, even if for just fifteen minutes. This, again, could be perceived as both positive and negative.

9. Travel Recommendations

Social media platforms have become a valuable resource for travel recommendations, reviews, and tips from fellow travelers. If social media were to disappear, finding the best travel destinations and accommodations would require more research through travel agencies, guidebooks, and word-of-mouth. For travel influencers, this would mean returning to more traditional methods of sharing information about their travels, such as through blogs, books, and, if they’re lucky, a television series.

10. Customer Service

Social media has provided a platform for users to connect with companies and seek customer service assistance. Consumers can send direct messages to companies and businesses. These businesses can then respond directly, answering their questions and having valuable engagements with their customers. Without this avenue, consumers would have to rely on email, phone calls, or physical visits to resolve their queries and complaints.

11. Social Connections

Nurturing and maintaining friendships would become more challenging without social media. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram have made connecting, communicating, and staying updated with friends and family easier. This is particularly true for those who live far away from family and friends. People would need to rely on more traditional methods like phone calls, emails, and physical meetings.

12. Less Time Wasted

We’ve all been trapped in what is now called “doom scrolling.” You know, that moment when you realize you’ve been scrolling aimlessly through social media for the last fifteen minutes… for the third time today. Let’s face it: We waste much time on social media daily. If social media didn’t exist, we’d instead perhaps use that time on more productive things: Get our work done faster, read a book, take the time actually to stretch after a workout – the possibilities are endless.

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13. Local Business Promotion

Small businesses often rely on social media platforms to promote their products and services to a wider audience. Its disappearance would make it difficult for local businesses to reach potential customers outside their immediate vicinity. They must rely on traditional marketing tactics like flyers, word-of-mouth, and collaborations.

14. Event Promotion and Invitations

Social media has simplified event planning and promotion by providing a platform to invite and gather people. Without social media, event organizers must utilize other methods, such as physical invitations, phone calls, email lists, and public bulletin boards. This goes the same for groups and clubs who rely on social media to make themselves known to others.

15. Personal Branding

Social media has allowed individuals to create and maintain personal brands, showcasing their talents, interests, and expertise. Without these platforms, individuals would need to rely on other avenues such as personal websites, industry events, and collaborations to establish their personal brand and reach a wider audience. Again, this can be seen as positive or negative. On the one hand, the ability to make ourselves into our own brand has created incredible opportunities for many people. On the other hand, it has also made us attached to our phones and unable to “turn off” and relax.

A Change for Better or for Worse

The disappearance of social media would fundamentally alter the way we form relationships, consume information, promote businesses, and engage in activism. While it would take some time to adapt to these changes, reverting to more traditional methods could provide an opportunity for deeper, more meaningful connections and a renewed appreciation for offline interactions and experiences.

Keep Reading: Has Social Media Has Created a Generation of Narcissists?

H/t: Marketplace, Readers Digest