The term social media brings to mind sites to post what you’re doing, ways to stay in touch, and all kinds of other activities. But they raise some questions, too. Are we replacing physical communication with virtual communication? Do we watch what we post, or are being controlled by the tools presented by social media? Kyle Tennant looks at these questions and more in Unfriend Yourself.

Beginning as a thesis, then becoming an experiment, and finally a book, Unfriend Yourself is a look at how social media go beyond a way to stay in touch to something that diminishes true relationships.

Kyle Tennant uses what he learned through his experiment, and what he has observed in his life to share what social media can do. Having grown up with the popular sites, he was comfortable with them, but eventually realized the harm they cause when we try to use them in place of real life relationships.

He does not say to abandon social media, but to not let the sites dictate how you spend your time and attention. They have the potential to move from being tools to controlling influences. He also says that face to face relationships are best, and still very much needed.

It is a short book, so it won’t take long to read. He intends for it to be read over a weekend as part of a time of being unplugged from social media. This gives you an opportunity to step back and see how big of a part social media play in your life.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this review, and I highly recommend whether you want to step back from social media, or know someone else who might need to.