Social media has changed the way we connect with each other. It affects how we feel about ourselves and shapes who we are.
One of the biggest parts of this change are the 'likes' and 'shares' that we see on our posts. When we get likes, it can feel like people notice us and value what we share. This can create a feeling of belonging, especially when a post gets a lot of likes. It makes us feel seen in our friend groups.
But there is a downside too. Wanting likes can become a strong need for approval. This can lead to anxiety when we don't get as many likes as we hoped. For example, if a teenager posts a carefully chosen picture and gets only a few likes, they might feel bad about themselves. It can make them feel like they're not good enough, which hurts their self-esteem.
When it comes to who we are, social media lets us explore different parts of ourselves. People might share what they enjoy, their beliefs, or their successes online. They create an online version of themselves that shows what they want others to see. This can create a gap between their online life and real life, making them feel confused. For instance, someone might look very confident online, but feel unsure about themselves in real life.
Also, social media encourages us to compare our lives with others. We might find ourselves always measuring our own experiences against those of friends or famous people. This comparison creates what some call the “highlight reel” effect, where we only see the best moments in others’ lives.
To help with these challenges, it's important to learn how to use social media wisely. We should remind ourselves that likes and shares do not define our worth. Keeping this in mind can help us maintain a good balance in how we see ourselves and our identity.
Social media has changed the way we connect with each other. It affects how we feel about ourselves and shapes who we are.
One of the biggest parts of this change are the 'likes' and 'shares' that we see on our posts. When we get likes, it can feel like people notice us and value what we share. This can create a feeling of belonging, especially when a post gets a lot of likes. It makes us feel seen in our friend groups.
But there is a downside too. Wanting likes can become a strong need for approval. This can lead to anxiety when we don't get as many likes as we hoped. For example, if a teenager posts a carefully chosen picture and gets only a few likes, they might feel bad about themselves. It can make them feel like they're not good enough, which hurts their self-esteem.
When it comes to who we are, social media lets us explore different parts of ourselves. People might share what they enjoy, their beliefs, or their successes online. They create an online version of themselves that shows what they want others to see. This can create a gap between their online life and real life, making them feel confused. For instance, someone might look very confident online, but feel unsure about themselves in real life.
Also, social media encourages us to compare our lives with others. We might find ourselves always measuring our own experiences against those of friends or famous people. This comparison creates what some call the “highlight reel” effect, where we only see the best moments in others’ lives.
To help with these challenges, it's important to learn how to use social media wisely. We should remind ourselves that likes and shares do not define our worth. Keeping this in mind can help us maintain a good balance in how we see ourselves and our identity.