Social Media's effect on self perception

Now that there are close to 300 million users on Instagram, 304 million members on Twitter, and 1,500 members on Facebook, it is safe to assume that social media has made a large impact on society (Statista.com). But the question lies on whether this impact is good or bad. Whether we realize it or not, we spend a large amount of time working on our digital identity. We base much of this new identity off of how others are portraying themselves. If this is the case, what happens to the “real” you? The adaptations and advancements of social media are helping people create a false identity of themselves.

            The term “smiling depression” refers to a person who may be depressed but does not appear so behind a screen. The truth is, depression is one of the leading disabilites among young people today. Around 6.7% of the population over the age of 18 suffers from depression. Social Media is becoming a way to mask reality and portray a version of yourself which may be false. Our ideal self, is the self we aspire to be, our self image is the person we are based on our behaviors, emotions and reactions. Self Actualization is when ones ideal self and self image are in line. According to Carl Rogers, this person would be deemed fully functioning (Sunstrum 1).

            Today, we live in the “selfie” generation. 50 years ago, when you walked into a home, you would see family photos, school photos, and wedding photos. Today, you walk into a millenials room and you become instantly overwhelmed with selfies, and pictures edited to create a fake appearance. There are now apps, which help render your ideal self to help you portray yourself how you would like on social media. Things like the “Skinny Cam” or “Make Up Genius” are apps that a person can upload a picture to and proceed to virtually loose 10 pounds, or hire an instant makeup artist to perfect their makeup.  Although if you look close enough it is very obvious when people use these apps, a quick glance can give you a false perception of the real person. 

            Although we may not blink an eye at the idea of this anymore, there have been many stories of issues, which come along with masking depression through social media. The Instagram account of Madison Holleran, a track star at the University of Pennsylvania, shows a happy, successful and for the most part normal college student. Behind the screen, she was handling serious mental health issues. The life she portrayed through Instagram was the life every college girl was hoping people thought they were living. Madison’s stress had reached its max. She ended her own life because of this. Her friends and family were greatly confused. No one could tell that she was handling these issues, especially her friends that were keeping in touch through social media (Fagan).  Many of us are guilty of sharing our happiest moments to the world. Of course this is not a bad thing. Social Media does not need to replace a therapist. The trouble comes when we believe our friends are happy because of what we see on Instagram, meanwhile they are struggling. Madison Hollerans story is a sad example of the mask we can put on through social media.

            Girls spend a absurd amount of time scrolling through instagram and comparing themselves to one another. The apps, filters, and captions can easily present a reality that is far from real. It is important to realize that we are coming from a generation that hides behind a computer screen. From the cyber bullying issues of junior high, to the stories like Madison’s on instagram, it is a topic that is constantly discussed.

            Although social media has advanced our ability to interact with eachother, it also gives people the ability to mask their struggles. This is a problem that will not go away anytime soon. Social media will only continue to advance and grow. Being able to hide behind a computer screen has given people false confidence but this confidence has lead to struggles like Madison Holleran. It is important that people recognize that there are ways to render how you look and share it to the world. It is important to keep this issue in mind while scrolling through your news feed. 

Fagan, Kate. "Split Image." ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures, 7 May 2015. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.

Sunstrum, Kelsey. "How Social Media Effects Our Self Perception." Psychcentral.com. 13 Mar. 2014. Web. 26 Sept. 2015.