Social media plays an important role in our daily lives and now become dependent on it. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok offer us the ability to connect with friends and family. With it, we can share moments and access a wealth of information with just a few taps on our screens. However, as our reliance on these platforms grows so does the need to understand how social media changes our perception of real life.
As a psychology student, I’m going to provide you with amazing stuff in this blog that explains things with justification. This blog delves into how social media distorts our view of real lives and I can also explore the psychological effects and offer insights on finding a healthier balance.
The Attraction of a Curated Reality
Social media platforms are designed to highlight the best moments of our lives. We post pictures of our vacations, share our achievements and update our statuses with good news. This constant stream of positivity creates a curated reality that is far removed from the everyday challenges and ordinary aspects of life. A licenced clinical psychologist Sherry Turkle states that
“A virtual life is shiny and bright. You share all of your wonderful news and upload your most beautiful photos there.”
This curated presentation also leads to what social psychologist Kenneth Gergen who was a PhD professor and also referred to as “multiphrenia” in his book “The Saturated Self.” Gergen warned of a weakened self that is driven in many ways by the demands of upholding various identities. Social media forces us to present a perfect representation of ourselves in the modern world and frequently hide our true identities in the process.
The Psychological Impact of Social Media
According to ResearchGate, social media also affects our psychological health it may also cause many severe health issues. Now, we are going to discuss its few main effects, which are
- Comparison and Insecurity
- Fear of Missing Out
- Slot Machine effect
1. Comparison and Insecurity
We tend to compare ourselves to others on social media, which has one of the biggest psychological effects. Ali Jazayeri PhD associate professor of clinical psychology also points out that social media creates a world where people constantly compare themselves to the carefully updated lives of others. This comparison might generate emotions of failure as well as low self-esteem.
“People share a lot of nice things on social media when they’re happy. However, I will either intentionally or unintentionally compare myself to other people when I’m unhappy.”
Jazayeri explains.
The habit of comparing oneself to others can be particularly damaging to mental health so it’s not good for your health The phenomenon of “Facebook depression,” where individuals become depressed due to perceived inadequacies highlighted by social media is a testament to this. As social media users curate their online personas to highlight their best moments those who view these posts may feel that their own lives are lacking in comparison So, You may say that they have an inferiority complex.
2. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
Social media has the ability to constantly update us on what others are doing which can lead to a fear of missing out also known as FOMO. This term describes the anxiety that arises when we believe others are having more fun or experiencing better things than we are. For Example, According to studies, young people spend about two hours and 22 minutes every day on social media and check their phones approximately 96 times. This constant interaction with social media feeds can heighten FOMO which is leading to increased stress and anxiety.
The causes of FAMO are:
- Satisfaction Needs
- Social Anxiety
- Increased brain activity
- Competitions
- Obsessive Compulsive disorder
3. The Slot Machine Effect
The 3rd most common impact of social media that you need you know is its addictive nature. The addictive nature of social media is partly due to the way it mimics the slot machine effect. Few apps like Instagram and TikTok are designed to keep users scrolling by providing intermittent rewards. Each new post, like, or comment triggers a release of serotonin in the brain which creates a cycle of reward and reinforcement that can be difficult to break. This design damages our natural tendencies towards seeking pleasure and avoiding discomfort and also makes it easy to spend hours on these platforms without realizing it.
The Unreal World of Social Media
The world displayed on social media is not a true reflection of reality and literally, it makes us a fool. Photos are often edited, moments are staged, and posts are selectively shared to present an idealized version of life. According to Monideepa Tarafda of Lancaster University social media users often continue to use the platforms that cause them stress rather than disconnecting from them. This creates a blurring of lines between reality and fiction and may also lead to distorted perceptions of what life should be like. It may hide our present life and we all forget our real when using any social media especially while scrolling.
The Consequences of a Virtual Life
The implications of living in a virtual environment are massive and varied. John Fowler who was an M.A. in Psychology also cautions that social media can lead to a disconnection from real life and real priorities. He highlights the danger of becoming so steeped in our online personas that we lose sight of who we really are and the issues that need to be addressed in our lives.
The Impact on Relationships
Social media has also revolutionized the way we form and maintain our relationships. While it provides a platform for connecting with others so, it can also create a sense of disconnection in our most intimate relationships. Melody Bacon a Ph.D and a licensed clinical therapist also points out that social media can be a distraction in relationships and provide another way for couples to disconnect from each other. This disconnection can lead to issues such as infidelity as individuals seek validation and connection outside their primary relationships.
Finding Balance in a Social Media World
Everything has its advantages and disadvantages now it’s up to you how can you make an equilibrium in your life. You need to maintain a balance between your online and real lives because it is critical. Here are some techniques that help you regulate your social media usage and keep a healthier relationship with these platforms, such as
1. Set Boundaries
Establishing boundaries around social media use can help you to reduce its impact on your life. This might include setting specific times for checking social media, restricting the amount of time spent on these sites and staying off social media for specific occasions, including gatherings with relatives or meals together.
2. Use Apps to Control Usage
Ironically, there are apps designed to help manage social media use. Apps like Forest and Daywise can help track your screen time and encourage you to take breaks from your phone. For iPhone users, the pre-existing screen time feature can be used to limit app usage.
3. Develop Offline Hobbies
Finding hobbies and activities that do not involve screens can help reduce the time spent on social media. Whether it’s reading, hiking, cooking, or playing a musical instrument, engaging in offline activities can provide a healthy alternative to scrolling through social media feeds.
4. Think of Screen Time as a Reward
Changing the process and using screen time as a reward for completing tasks can help limit social media use. You can maintain control over your usage by allocating specific times for social media as a treat after work or study.
5. Keep Phones Out of the Bedroom
Avoiding phone use in the bedroom can improve sleep quality and reduce the attraction to check social media late at night or first thing in the morning. Charging your phone in a different room can help create a healthier bedtime routine and promote better sleep hygiene.
Embracing a Balanced Perspective
According to Dr Tom Barrett who was department chair and associate professor in the clinical psychology department at The Chicago School also notes that the motivation for connecting online is driven by a fundamental human urge to belong and be accepted. However, the key is to recognize the limitations of social media and aim for a balance that allows us to enjoy the benefits of connectivity without compromising our mental health.
The way we connect, share and view the world has undoubtedly changed as a result of social media, which is here to stay. While it has many advantages, it also poses considerable difficulties to our mental health and perception of reality. By understanding the psychological effects of social media and adopting strategies to manage its use, we can navigate the digital landscape more mindfully and maintain a healthier balance between our online and offline lives.
As Kenneth Gergen’s observation, “I am connected, therefore “I am suggesting, that our digital connections have become a defining aspect of our identity. However, it is up to us to ensure that these connections do not outrank the richness and complexity of our real lives. By taking strong steps to manage social media use and prioritize real-world interactions. We can also boost a more authentic and fulfilling existence in both the virtual and physical realms after following these steps.
Conclusion
The distortion of reality through social media is a critical problem that demands our interest. The curated nature of social media platforms which may be associated with their addictive design may cause a host of mental problems, along with comparison, insecurity, FOMO, and a disconnection from fact. While social media has its benefits it’s miles critical to find a balance that allows us to enjoy those systems without compromising our mental fitness and experience of self.
By putting limitations, on the usage of apps to govern usage, developing offline pastimes, treating display screen time as a reward, and keeping telephones or phones out of the bedroom, We can decrease the harmful impact that social media has on our lives. Ultimately, it’s miles up to each person to navigate the virtual landscape mindfully and hold a healthy balance between our online and offline worlds.
Social media is a powerful tool that has the potential to connect us in significant ways. However, it’s miles vital to understand its boundaries and attempt a balanced angle that permits us to experience the blessings of connectivity at the same time as preserving our intellectual health and sense of truth. By doing so, we are able to make sure that our digital connections enhance instead of detract from the richness of our real lives.
REFERENCE
https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/insight/from-the-magazine/a-virtual-life/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2719452/
https://www.thegazelle.org/issue/221/social-media-unplug
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225185226_Development_of_a_Facebook_Addiction_Scale
