By Nichole Therese Buyoc | PTV Public Affairs intern
Generation Z are known for posting minute-by-minute life updates and flooding social media with food photos and random posts. They are the very same generation that once lived in the online world—documenting every emotion, achievement, and even breakdown.
Eventually, this generation began to adapt what some call the “Zero-Posting Era”—they began to post less than they used to before and turned their timelines into a wall containing worthy information that could possibly influence others.
In this new episode of Iskoolmates, our guests Sammy, Zach, and Cheska shared their thoughts about how young people nowadays relate to the internet—and to themselves.
Habits of Posting Online
For those in their “Zero-Posting Era”, random life updates are only viewable to certain people, such as close friends and family, while other content posted are limited.
On the other hand, there still comes the satisfaction when people interact through likes and comments, which somehow encourages them to post more.
For Cheska, posting should be for self-expression—but social media has become less of a safe space for people who receive negative feedback and toxic comments.
Meanwhile, Sammy added that pressure in posting builds up within a growing online community, which can make a person feel left behind.
From Zach’s perspective, posting is more about free will and less about the opinions of others toward your posts.
Personal Turning Points
Cheska’s “turning point” about posting came when she was told that being active in posting could be tiresome and that it is better to just post for oneself.
Zach, on the other hand, simply wanted to enjoy watching influencers and consuming meaningful content rather than creating one.
Sammy then explained the downside of being a “consumer” on social media, noting that it can be unproductive and may lead to unfinished work.
Common Misconceptions about being Inactive Online
Being inactive on social media could simply mean that a person chooses to be private, or they are simply more introverted in real life. Social media is likewise not always helpful for those who are inactive and may be experiencing personal struggles.
Another misconception is that people are inactive because they are shy; some people simply want to be less vulnerable, which is why they post less.
The discussion ended with a lesson: Do not let anyone be the reason you stop expressing yourself and your life online. Whatever makes you happy, so be it—post it.
Sometimes life gets too busy, but you should not feel bad if you cannot post anything. It is your own page, your own rules, as host Trisha Bersano said.
Lastly, be mindful of what you post. Think before you click.
–bjlc/av
