Being in the era of social media, young people often see videos of their favorite influencers living lavish lifestyles that are completely unattainable for many of them. In many instances, it is completely acceptable to admire the successes of others and use them as a way of dreaming or planning their futures, almost like a Pinterest board. However, when they obsess over the luxuries that other people get to experience, they begin to take their own for granted.
For many, it has almost become a societal norm to post accomplishments online. From sharing photos of a weekend getaway to showing off a new pair of sneakers, many teens are compelled to post just to be able to say, “Look what I did, guys!” to their classmates and friends. A study from the National Library of Medicine states that “up to 95% of youth ages 13-17 report using a social media platform.” When teens and younger people post to social media, it can often seem competitive, even when it’s not intentional, like a game of “Who has the coolest lifestyle?”
When young people face consistent exposure to social media’s idealized lifestyles, it can harm their mental health. When they compare their everyday lives to the seemingly perfect ones that they see online, it can create feelings of inadequacy. Many studies show that heavy social media use often has ties to depression and anxiety. Over time, this comparison can make them feel that their own lives are boring or unimportant, even when that’s not inherently true.
What many young people do not realize is that much of what they view on social media is deliberately staged. Influencers, as well as a vast majority of people, often cherry-pick the best moments to share with others — effectively masking the challenging parts of life.
“You have to remember that’s not always the truth, and you kind of have to remind yourself of that. No matter what people are posting, it’s not always the truth. They’re trying to glorify themselves,” said Abigail “Abby” Kulhawik, a freshman at Northwest High School.
Social media often receives backlash and negative feedback for its effects, such as causing a harmful effect on the definition of success, when it can actually serve as a space for inspiration, when used responsibly by young people. Many teens can use social media to discover hobbies and careers. Using social media to connect with peers and others who share similar interests.
A poll was conducted amongst all grade levels at Northwest High School, with a total of 125 responses collected. 36.3 percent of students said that social media had influenced their definition of success, 44.4 percent said it had slightly, and only 19.4 percent said it hadn’t.
Overall, social media suggests that someone will always seem to be doing better or living a larger life. However, it is up to teens to interpret that information in a way that enables them to remain thankful for what they have and are capable of achieving, while also embracing living without filters as they continue to build their own unique stories. What appears online is only a fraction of what goes on behind the scenes.
