We live in a generation that’s actively involved on social media. Some people are so obsessed with posting the perfect picture, posting the best tweets and stalking people they have never met. Our social media image is often thought of as how other people truly portray us.
A recent survey conducted at SUNY Plattsburgh shows that 54.3 percent of the 46 respondents spend an average of 3 to 4 hours a day on social media. Facebook is the most popular with 93.5 percent of respondents using it daily, Snapchat 91.3 percent and third most used is Instagram with 84.8 percent. Is social media that important to people? It makes you wonder if people like social media because you can show people the “good side” of your life. You can show people when you’re having fun, looking your best or reaching an accomplishment. Social media allows you to post what you want people to see.
When you post a picture and receive likes that is similar to receiving a compliment in person. A “Like” is a way someone on social media can tell you they like what they see in your picture, whether it’s your outfit, the meal you’re having or whatever it is that you choose to post. More than 89 percent of respondents said that they feel better after receiving more than their desired number of likes. People like attention and “Likes” on social media is a way to get attention. It’s sad, but the attention social media brings someone could be the way they feel good about themselves, even after all the edits and filters they use.
Although the respondents said they feel good about themselves while getting over their desired number of likes, only 26.1 percent said they feel bad about themselves or feel sad if they do not reach their desired number. This makes you wonder, why do people feel good about themselves over “Likes” but they don’t feel upset or down on themselves when they don’t receive what they expect.
Essena O'Neill is someone who comes to mind when I think of social media and how people should never judge someone by what they post. She seemed to be happy, confident and have the life a lot of us would want to have. After learning about her and her story, we saw how lonely she was and how she had gone a different route in life. We found more than 58 percent of respondents often feel jealous when the people they follow post pictures of their relationships, personal items, vacations, etc. But, only 23.9 percent actually are jealous of the person.
Social media is an immense part of people’s lives but why do we let it affect how we feel about ourselves or others? We see videos and pictures of people at sporting games, plays, concerts, etc. on their phones, recording what is happening around them but they’re not living it. Social media is becoming the reason for divorces and breakups, as well as accidents and injuries. A simple “Like” could make or break a situation. It’s weird to think how younger generations will have social media at younger and younger ages.
