As social creatures, our self-perceptions are influenced by how well we are received by others. That is the biological drive behind belonging to organizations, being a part of a cliche, participating in team sports, and having strong desires to be visible on social media platforms.
Often times when people are highly active on social media platforms, they are unable to fulfill their need to belong. Relationships are something we desire when we don't have them, just like food when you're hungry. Seeking out new relationships when you feel this void is where social media fills in as a superficial substance of belonging. People look to their accounts on the world wide web for the ease of access to people and the capability to feel connected immediately. This is a dangerous outlet for immediate gratification since true relationships take time and merely seeing pictures of a person is not the same as physically looking at them.
Social media is all about self-promotion. The 'selfie' generation is not a new development within the human race. Humans have historically been all about seeking out what is the best way to build themselves up and those they identify with. This is not necessarily a good or bad thing, it's just in our nature to keep ourselves number one in this world. We teach ourselves how to put others before ourselves, like when we're in a relationship or through religious beliefs, but initially the world revolves around 'me'. Just look at babies, they become fascinated with mirrors once they recognize they are the reflection and as we age, that trait hardly subsides. We like 'likes' because they reinforce what we see in the mirror. They build up our self-esteem.
Self-esteem is a delicate attribute of ourselves, and the higher it is, the more likely it is to deflate since the view of yourself is so high- like when a balloon gets too big all it takes to pop it is a tiny prick of something sharp. We desire 'likes' that maintain these full balloons that are our egos. Seeking out this kind of approval from followers can be dangerous since it is not 'real'. Real in the sense that there is no physical way to appreciate the clicking of the heart under an Instagram picture and no way to truly feel the connections we make via Facebook or Twitter.
Take into account why it is that you use social media. Is it to keep tabs on your ex boyfriend by Facebook creeping, or is it to make him jealous by posting a picture of yourself to show him what he's missing? Do you post pictures of your vacations or material belongings to show everyone what you have? Do you post pictures of your friends having a good time to prove to your friends and followers that you're fun and enjoyable?
Be aware of the intention you and others hold behind posting pictures for likes, and what your intentions are when you like someone else's post. Most likely, the underlying reasons are not what you claim them to be-- just as posting a selfie is not to show grandma how you've changed since she saw this Christmas.
