We are living in the golden age of social media. Whether it’s personal, professional, social, political, or anything in between, there isn’t much that social media doesn’t have a presence with.
It’s become a rarity to be shut off from the internet access with it being so intertwined in our daily lives. This constant engagement and exposure to the carefully crafted realities seen has a way of creating unrealistic standards that we compare ourselves to.
Many people share their happy and high moments, the perfect pictures, and content that is going to drive viewership. What isn’t always shared are the low moments or the times of struggle.
While this isn’t problematic in itself, it can distort reality for other people and have a significant indirect impact on self-esteem.
Social Comparison
It is human nature to compare ourselves with what we see happening around us. Especially when we perceive someone else as “better off.” We do it with friends and family, but we also inherently do this with strangers or influencers that have no stake in our life.
You may see the perfectly curated family in content and wonder, “Why doesn’t my family look like that?” You might come across someone whose job includes a lot of fancy perks and think, “Why isn’t my job that fun?” It’s easy to get down the rabbit hole of someone else’s highlight reel and feel inadequate about your life and your self-esteem.
Unrealistic Beauty Standards
When we scroll through social media, a good amount of what we see is being somehow altered with photo editing tools, various filters, ring lights (or the perfect lighting spot), and many retakes. It can make it difficult to know what the true authenticity is of each post, reel, or story.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to put your best foot forward when posting content to your own personal page. The downside of this social media practice is that it makes the average, everyday person who doesn’t have the know-how about editing or lighting to feel less than.
This can be triggering for body issues and lower self-esteem by painting a skewed picture of what “beauty” really is.
The Like Buttons
Social media has created this interesting, and potentially unhealthy, way of interacting with others through likes, views, and follows. When we post content, there’s this inner drive to get as many interactions as possible. Did we get enough likes? Did anyone comment? What did they say?
This leads to validation-seeking behaviors and makes your sense of self-worth and self-esteem depend on what others think. If you don’t get that many likes, it can be a blow to your self-esteem. But in reality, for most instances, your view of yourself shouldn’t be based on what someone else thinks, especially a stranger.
Fear of Missing Out
During times of stress, unhappiness, and even boredom, it’s now become a common practice to scroll through social media to pass time. As you see others engaging in activities, it can become a trigger for this feeling of FOMO, or fear of missing out.
This can become stressful and lead to anxiety that you’re not doing life right or wasting precious time on something that isn’t bringing you joy. When you start to doubt yourself, it can lead to a decline in self-esteem.
The Silver Lining
It’s worth noting social media does have some positive attributes. It can bring connection and a sense of community among people who may otherwise have a hard time forming friendships. It can close the distance between long-distance relationships.
Social media platforms offer a space for creativity and expression that can boost self-esteem. There are accounts that show leadership, role models, and representation. This can offer means to improve self-esteem as well.
If you feel social media may be affecting your self-esteem, consider counseling an option for learning how to engage in a healthier manner. Contact us today for additional support.
