We have all heard of those over-exaggerated “problems” our society tends to have, whether it’s related to living without a phone for two days or not having a date to homecoming. It is rather pathetic to see this become so hyped up that we are now having to include the hashtag #firstworldproblems every time we feel the need to post about such catastrophes.

This is not to say that people living in well-developed nations do not deal with crises at all. Society as a whole faces the ongoing issues of sexual harassment, racism, unemployment and other problems. In day to day life, individuals, including high schoolers, face anxiety, depression, peer pressure and meeting standards set by others. Such issues are significant and need attention. But if your problem qualifies as a “first world problem,” then it probably is not as bad as it seems.

While some are complaining about using up all of their LTE data and having to deal with slow internet, there are others across the world struggling to survive. The basic necessities you often take for granted are luxuries for someone else.

Take a look at the Middle East. Syrian men, women and children are scrambling for safety and risking their lives to escape their war-torn homeland while people of the West may have never had to experience such conditions. Third world countries around the world, from Africa to Asia, often deal with very low standards of living that we have never dealt with and may never have to deal with.

So before posting about that “first world problem,” take a step back and realize how lucky you are to even be able to post about such things. And keep in mind that while we deal with true issues, there’s always someone out there who has it much worse.