This article will discuss why social media lowers self esteem, it’s effects and why you shouldn’t be fooled into thinking it has no negative effects.
There are many benefits to social media, that’s an undeniable fact. However, I’d like to argue that social media can be detrimental to our self esteem.
I do this because many of us share some degree of insecurity regarding the number of friends or followers we have on social media.
By now, I’m sure you have all heard of the concept of the “social mask.” This is when we present the best version of ourselves to the people who know us best.
This includes family and close friends. However, we often feel like we have to act a certain way in front of people who we don’t know so well.
For example, many people post photos of themselves with a great deal of makeup, a nice outfit, the best of what they can physically be seen in. However, when we post these photos, we do so to promote ourselves in the best light possible.
However, we don’t realize that it can sometimes affect the way people perceive us. Some people look to the internet for a trustworthy source of information about what we’re like as a person.
If we are painted in a negative light, they will form the opinion of how we really are.
Social media lowers self esteem
There is also the Facebook effect. This is when we post things on Facebook or other social media sites that we would never say to the person’s face.
We might post something about how great a night was, but the negativity is taken out of it. This is usually due to the fact that we aren’t there to be questioned about what we wrote.
Because social media has become more and more popular, a greater amount of people have become insecure. We hear about how the average person will gain four new friends every day.
Social media has an effect on our self esteem and the way we view others. We want to believe that those friends, who we haven’t met in real life, must really think we’re great people.
That’s why we’re on social media in the first place.
Social media has more negative effects
We’ve all been guilty of comparing ourselves to others and judging ourselves based on their lives. However, social media gives us a platform that allows this to happen far too easily.
We can get into arguments with people who agree with us and even begin to wish we didn’t have such strong opinions. The same applies to those who don’t agree with us.
Social media and you
Social media is a wonderful tool. It’s almost like having a second family or best friend, without the feelings of judgement and emotions.
For many people, this is a good thing. However, for others it can be destructive to self esteem.
If you’re like me, then you constantly think about what you could be doing better. What if someone else’s life is way better than yours?
The common theme with this is a bit of jealousy. We feel envious when we see others posting about the exciting and positive things that are going on in their lives.
As someone who has used social media a lot, I’m sure you can relate to this one.
It’s hard not to, seeing other people’s lives go so smoothly. We constantly compare ourselves to their lives and say “I wish my life was like that.”
We can’t expect to be happy if we’re constantly comparing ourselves to others. We need to make peace with our own lives.
We all have things we would like to change, but if we constantly compare ourselves to others, we’re setting ourselves up for failure.
Take care of yourself
Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Making comparisons between our own lives and others doesn’t help us become better individuals.
The problem with comparing ourselves to others is that we become miserable when we can’t live up to their expectations. We will strive for the next best thing, which often doesn’t even exist.
This only causes us to become more unhappy and more dissatisfied with our lives. By taking care of ourselves, we can help build a life that is full of positive feelings.
It’s not easy and will take a little time. It’s also very important to get some balance in life. With a career and family, it’s hard to always find the time to do things that make you feel happy.
Social media isn’t the problem. We’re the problem. We need to take the time to better ourselves as people. That means doing things for ourselves.
If you start doing these things, you’ll find that the time you once spent on social media, will be far more beneficial to you.
It’s easier said than done, but it’s all about starting small. When we’re constantly comparing ourselves to others, we become unhappy. That’s something we all need to work on.
What are your thoughts on social media? How often do you compare your life with others? What are your thoughts on your social media activity?
