In today's society, it is almost taboo to demonstrate any signs of weakness or unhappiness. This unfortunate reality leads many individuals to take drastic measures to conceal their true feelings, both in person and on social media. Although it may be true that such private feelings do not necessarily need to be published on the Internet, people must simply constantly remind themselves that there is much more to a person's story than the image they choose to publicly display.
While social media is a blessing providing us with the opportunity to instantaneously access news, entertainment, and artistic content, it is also a curse contributing to a culture in which perceptions of others are rendered almost entirely from the content they post. Social media sites have led to the rise of a new generation of personal public relations specialists, all possessing the ability to mask genuineness with the image they believe others wish to see. The quest for popularity and acceptance has conquered the desire for truth, leading to a digital world that has quite certainly become an illusionistic digital reality.
What people sometimes forget is that there is much, much more to a person's identity than that "candid" shot of them laughing into their steaming cappuccino.
No matter how spontaneous a picture, tweet, or Facebook status may seem, much consideration usually goes into such actions. Photo editing apps and programs facilitate the altering of reality, meaning that much of the content social media users publish is quite far from what an in-person observation would illustrate. Whether people choose to edit their pictures to make themselves look thinner or choose to fake a smile to conceal their inner unhappiness, social media essentially creates a world in which everything looks oddly perfect.
Either by habits of denial or unintentional ignorance, people often forget that individuals take great lengths to depict these images of self-produced perfection. Behind the scenes, the poser of that carefree "candid" may actually be going through an incredibly difficult time in his or her life. Whether this struggle is related to the loss of a loved one or internal battle such as depression or anxiety, it is very easy for social media users to cover up these issues and portray the image that everything in their life is A-OK.
All of these observations constitute a greater lesson: instead of relying on social media to check up on friends or acquaintances, people must reach out to them privately and make an effort to understand their experiences on a more personal basis. It is much rarer to stumble upon a picture depicting someone's genuine anxiety and depression than it is to observe the stereotypical image of the "partier" who tries to act like the carefree spirit everyone desires to befriend.
It is the duty of today's people to view life without filters, seeking the truth behind people and experiences that would usually be disguised by a mask of ingenuity. So put down that smartphone and stop judging people solely on how they do or don't portray themselves on social media. An Instagram picture doesn't define a person, just as a mere snapshot doesn't define a moment.
Life is so much more than the click of a shutter.
