The Distortion of Reality : how social media changes our perception of real life
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
licensed clinical psychologist Sherry Turkle states
that
"A virtual life is
shiny and bright. It’s where you post your prettiest pictures and tell all your
best news."
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:
- Ø Comparison
and Insecurity
- Ø Fear
of Missing Out
- Ø The
Slot Machine Effect
C 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, when they are happy, post a lot of happy things. But
when I’m not happy I will consciously, or unconsciously, compare myself to
others,"
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:
Ø Satisfaction Needs
Ø Social Anxiety
Ø Increased Brain Activity
Ø Competitions
Ø 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Conclusion
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
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