During weddings, church services, sporting events, outings at the beach, when cooking, and even dinner, people take photos of their moment and post the moment on social media. Social media has become an integral part of our lives. Daily, it becomes too difficult to imagine life without social media, since a part of our lives is digital and is in social media.
People use social media as a means of expressing themselves. This is why you find people taking photos of themselves showcasing their new clothes or their well-done hair. Even though the exercise is innocent, sometimes some people end up hurting themselves. There is a particular expected standard of life on social media and many social media users want approval, based on those standards, but this may cause hurt emotionally when things do not go according to their imagination.
The Culture of Perfectionism
Social media created and somehow promotes the culture of perfectionism. This means that some users end up feeling pressured to show a fake version of themselves in order for them to be accepted and admired. There were reports that many users on Instagram would delete a photo that received fewer likes.
This culture of perfectionism creates unhealthy personal views, it makes some people feel inferior or unworthy or not beautiful because they feel they are not loved by the people on social media.
Cyberbullying and Trolling
Cyberbullying and trolling are two major problems in social media platforms. It's easy for people to harass someone and get away with it since most accounts on social media platforms are somewhat anonymous. There is usually little evidence to prove if a person is really who they say they are unless advanced IT techniques for tracing are deployed. The people with sinister accounts are called trolls.
Because trolls are free to do anything without fear, cyberbullying can be perpetuated. Sometimes cyber bullies body-shame people. It's easier for people to make someone's photos trend and speak degrading words against their body in the photo. This is seriously damaging, emotionally.
Addiction and Self-Esteem
Social media addiction is a growing concern, particularly in young people. Addiction to social media can lead to a lack of productivity, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Addiction to social media can also create a cycle of addiction and self-esteem issues, where individuals become addicted to social media as a means of validation and self-worth.
For example, social media “likes,” “comments,” and “followers” have become a measure of one’s popularity and worth on these platforms. This can create a cycle of addiction, where individuals become addicted to the validation and self-worth that comes from social media engagement. This addiction can ultimately affect one’s confidence levels, as individuals become dependent on social media for their self-esteem.
Moreover, social media addiction can lead to a lack of productivity, which can ultimately affect one’s confidence in their abilities. For example, if an individual spends hours on social media, they may not have time to pursue their passions or achieve their goals, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, social media has become an integral part of our lives, but it has also brought about certain negative effects on its users. One of these effects is the impact it has on our confidence levels. Social media creates a culture of perfectionism, leads to cyberbullying and trolling, and can create a cycle of addiction and self-esteem issues. It is important to be aware of these negative effects and take steps to mitigate them, such as limiting social media use and seeking support from friends and family.
Remember, social media is just a platform, and it should not define our self-worth or confidence levels. We are all unique and valuable in our own way, and we should celebrate our differences rather than compare ourselves to others on social media.
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