The Oxford English Dictionary describes social media as “websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.” This is especially evident when it comes to platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, where people gather friends and followers all while uploading content to be viewed and liked by other users from around the world. However, just how social is the networking that’s going on?
Years ago, when MSN and chain emails were still around, the social media platforms were innovative and exciting. Now, everyone has a Facebook, Instagram and Twitter account – in fact, it’s considered strange if someone actually throws up their hands and says, “sorry, I’m not on Facebook.” Personally, I have a great deal of respect for those who don’t feel the need to upload images of their breakfast, complete with a filter and accompanied by a hashtag that doesn’tmake sense.
Those who avoid oversharing by way of social media could well be on to something. According to The Guardian, a 2012 study carried out by Anxiety UK revealed that 45% of people who were unable to access their social media accounts reported feelings of being worried and uncomfortable. More recently, anti-bullying campaign Ditch the Label has found a correlation between anxiety and social media – namely Instagram. 40% of those involved in the study reported a lower self-esteem when no one liked their selfies, and 35% claimed their confidence levels depend on the number of people following them.
Social media is fast becoming anti-social. Causing us to feel stressed, isolated and distant from reality, the social platforms often paint pretty pictures of others’ lives that we feel compelled to imitate, or even compete with. However, the feelings of inferiority that wash over us as we scroll through candid shots of our followers in Bali don’t stop there. We also tend to compare our romantic relationships to those of others – but don’t let the happy selfies and cute captions fool you.
Relationship expert and sexologist Nikki Goldstein had a conversation with the Daily Mail, in which she revealed the underlying message that can come with overshared couple pictures on Facebook and Instagram. “Often it’s the people who post the most who are seeking validation for their relationship from other people on social media,” she said. “The likes and comments can be so validating that when someone is really struggling, that’s where they get their up from – not the person making the gesture, but what other people say about it,” she explained.
Furthermore, surely the time couples spend catching the right light, perfecting the right angle and choosing the right filter could be better spent? Ms Goldstein also revealed how couples who opt for likes instead of love are “missing the moment.” Ultimately, couples who post over-the-top pictures on a regular basis are trying to hide the insecurities they have.
So, is it time to log out? It’s not difficult to see that in this day and (digital) age, many photos are now taken to be posted, not remembered. It’s time to change that.
Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40643904
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/couples-social-media-oversharing-facebook-instagram-twitter-relationship-insecurities-experts-nikki-a7530911.html
[Image courtesy of Chiara Pinna / Unsplash]
Tags: #WhiteLab #SensioAIR#airquality #mentalhealth #socialmedia #social #Facebook #Instagram #Twitter#bullying #cyberbullying #anxiety #depression #selfesteem #teenagers #internet#digital
If you’re interested in learning more or you’d like to read our in depth guides, join our newsletter.
%401x.svg){kind=icon}
