Introduction
I want to share my thoughts on social media’s impact on self-esteem. In today’s world, where social networks have become an integral part of our lives, it is essential to consider how they affect our psychological and emotional stability. According to a 2020 study, about 78% of teenagers and young adults believe social media impacts their self-esteem (Lee).
This is an indicative fact that indicates that the problem exists. Social media use can negatively impact self-esteem, creating idealized lifestyles and beauty standards, leading to comparison and a lack of self-satisfaction. Let’s look at the different aspects of this issue and discuss how we can use social media in a way that doesn’t hurt our self-esteem.
Illusion of Perfection
The first main point I want to address is the creation of idealized images of life on social networks. The idealized lifestyle on social media can have both positive and negative consequences. On the one hand, it can inspire and motivate other people. Seeing someone achieve success and happiness can motivate us to achieve more and strive for better ourselves. An idealized lifestyle can also create a sense of belonging and attractiveness (Krause et al.). We may feel that we belong to a particular group of people who lead the same successful and happy lifestyle as we do.
We all see beautiful photos of perfect vacations, enviably happy couples, and flawless looks. But we don’t see that behind these perfect photos, there may be an unhappy and insecure personality. People strive to show only the best side of their lives, which can create the illusion that everyone else lives better than us. Constant comparison can lead to negative emotions and doubts about your worth.
In addition, the idealized lifestyle on social networks can lead to losing real connections and contacts. We can spend more time virtually instead of being in the real world and interacting with people in person. This can create a feeling of loneliness and alienation from the world around you. The idealized social media lifestyle is part of our modern culture and is inextricably linked to the development of technology (Krause et al.). At the same time, it is essential to remember that this is only a fragment of other people’s lives and should not be compared with our own. Instead of striving for an idealized lifestyle, we should value and develop our unique qualities and achievements.
Unrealistic Beauty Standards
The second main point is the beauty standards created on social networks. We often see photographs of people with flawless figures, perfect skin, and perfect makeup. These beauty standards can form inadequacy and dissatisfaction with oneself (Lee). We compare our appearance with idealized images, which can lead to complex and negative self-esteem. Today, more and more people adhere to strict beauty standards created and maintained by social networks. This seems beneficial because people can support themselves and attract others to their desired appearance. However, this can have negative consequences for people’s well-being.
Creating beauty standards on social media involves unethical practices. These include editing images, misrepresenting weight data, and even insulting people for their appearance. These practices suppress individuality and increase pressure on people to accept unhealthy and unrealistic views of beauty.
Addiction to Likes and Subscribers
The third main point is the dependence on likes and subscribers on social networks. We all want our photos to get as many likes and comments as possible. But when we don’t get enough attention, it can affect our sense of self-worth and self-esteem. We ask ourselves: “Why don’t they love me? What am I doing wrong?” This can lead to increased anxiety and negative emotions.
We live in a world where social media plays an essential role. Many people prefer to work and relax on social networks rather than in real life. Therefore, many users are trying to increase the number of their subscribers and likes. They make incredible efforts to gain more recognition and respect. However, constantly reaching out to online audiences can have serious consequences.
The main one is dependence on likes and subscribers. The more subscribers and likes a user has, the more he values himself. Thus, a person may lose harmony if he constantly thinks about getting more followers and likes. This can lead to loss of interest in real life and poor health (Lee). Also, continually appealing to an online audience can lead to real-life problems. Since people respond to messages and post many photos and videos, they may need to gain awareness of real life. Losing interest in real life can lead to failure and even depression.
Conclusion
In conclusion, social media has a significant impact on self-esteem. We must realize that what we see on social media only sometimes reflects reality. We are all unique and have strengths that cannot always be represented on the Internet. Learning to value yourself and your achievements without comparing yourself to idealized images on social networks is essential. Creating idealized lifestyles, beauty standards, and dependence on likes and followers can affect our self-worth. Consider how we can stop letting social media define our self-worth. Remember that your achievements and values should not depend on the number of likes and subscribers.
Works Cited
Krause, Hannes-Vincent, et al. Unifying the detrimental and beneficial effects of social network site use on self-esteem: a systematic literature review. Media Psychology 24.1, 2021.
Lee, Jin Kyun. The effects of social comparison orientation on psychological well-being in social networking sites: Serial mediation of perceived social support and self-esteem. Current Psychology, 2020.
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