Social
media is digital platforms that allow users to create, share content, and
interact with others online (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010). Worldwide, over 4.5
billion people use social media, making social media platforms such as
Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat as the main communication medium in daily life
(Statista, 2024). Social media is way
more than just a tool, because it is a space where people create , test , and
also modify their identity, especially among adolescents and young adults that
are still exploring their own self. Identity is shaped not only by the
individual itself but also formed through other processes like: interaction,
feedback, and comparison with others online (Marwick & boyd, 2011).
Social
media users have multiple roles: both actors and audience member. Profiles on
social media are like “front stage” performance that are carefully designed to
influence others’ perceptions (Goffman, 1959; Hogan, 2010). Many users
intentionally develop an online persona for themselves. This includes ordinary
everyday users, not just influencers. These online persona affects the way
people speak, dress and behave (Banet-Weiser, 2012). Social media platforms use
mechanics that affect visibility. This causes users to adjust their content to
align what "performs well" rather than what’s genuine (Bucher, 2012;
Gillespie, 2014).
In
such situations, people tend to upload curated content rather than authentic
content. Curated content is highly filtered, stylized and strategically posted,
and it is often linked to increased social comparison, anxiety and FOMO (fear
of missing out). This is because when people can easily access to other
people’s profile, comparison can be done with ease. Many perceptions about
other people arises when they are exposed to idealized contents. For instance, they may think: “That
guy has a great body,” or “That girl must be rich—she travels all the
time.”
This
constant exposure to idealized images and lifestyles can cause adolescents and
young adults to feel inadequate about their own real lives. They may believe
that their real experiences, appearances, or personal achievements are not good
enough in comparison. Over time, this can impact their self-esteem and sense of
identity. Instead of feeling confident in who they truly are, they might try to
imitate what they see online, crafting an online persona that aligns more with
trends than authenticity. Therefore, more and more people conform to the
majority and posting curated content online rather than authentic content.
The
behaviour of sharing curated contents reflects the growing pressure to gain
social validation through likes, comments, and shares. People may begin to
value themselves based on their digital appearance rather than their real
personality when identity becomes tied to online approval. Most of what people
see online is not entirely real, as they are highlights of people’s life. But
it is hard to remember that when you're caught in a cycle of comparison.
In
addition, the curated content others post do not show their struggles,
failures, or insecurities in life. As a result, users may assume that everyone
else is happier, more successful, or more attractive, even though that isn't
necessarily true. An emotional gap will be created between who someone is and
who they think they need to be, often leading to stress and confusion in
identity formation.
Behind
the Filter: Performance vs. Authenticity
In
this post modernisation world, social media has become the most used way for
most of us to express themselves and, also to construct their identity. The
line between who we are and how we appear online is increasingly blurred.
Social media platforms like
Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have become powerful spaces where identity is
not only expressed but actively curated. Curation of identity in the social
media actually refers to how a person hide themselves behind a transparent
mask, for example using filters, editing photos, and posting strategic contents
such as only posting the best moments of their life. A person curate their
identity to shape how they are seen by others. And their aim is to impress
others and to be acceptable and to fit in the designated society standards. Only
by curating themselves online, people feel safe and secure in their own world.
On
the other hand, authentic identity refers to the real self, it’s about you are
being genuine and true to yourselves in online world. Instead of posting
perfect lives, a person who values authenticity will express their real-life
situations. For example, people will talk about the hardships that they have
been dealing in their life, such as depression or failures. Sharing a reel that
without putting on any make up, posting without any filter, or admitting one
self’s imperfections or weakness are also examples of pure authenticity
expression. Being authentic in the social media is never easy, because it does not
meet the social expectations, and being honest might backfire a person as well for
triggering the truth. Therefore, people often choosing between being real or
being “perfect”.
The
tension between curated and authentic identity is deeply personal, yet widely
influenced by peer pressure, validation culture and societal expectation.
According to Lenhart (2015), peer pressure is one of the major reasons of
curating identity online, especially among the youngsters. Social media thrives
on attention such as likes, comments, views; and followers are the currency of
online popularity. Many people feel that if they don’t present a certain image,
they will be ignored or judged. This is where peer pressure and
validation-seeking begin to influence identity choices. For instance, a
teenager might feel compelled to post a luxurious and glamorous picture only
after heavy editing because everyone else in their circle does the same. If
they don’t, they may fear being called "ugly," "basic," or
even irrelevant.
In
my personal experience as a young adult, social expectations play a massive
role as a factor that influence people around me to be in curated version of
themselves in the online. For women, there’s often pressured to look beautiful
and fashionable. Women are struggling to meet fake beauty standards in the
society such as fair and slim to be considered beautiful. So, most people whom I
surrounded ,and even my closest peer
will use whitening filter before posting pictures. For men, there’s pressure to appear
strong, successful, and confident. These expectations are reinforced by the
content that goes viral and by influencers who model these ideals.
Unfortunately, this leaves little room for authenticity, vulnerability, or
imperfection. Therefore, the society and their social expectation make people
want to match what others find impressive rather than what feels true to
themselves.
Social
media influencers are perhaps the clearest examples of curated identity. The
famous influencer Kim Kardashian had known for her amazing, curated version in
the social media. Her post will usually about fashions and high aesthetics, and
every image is high-quality, perfectly styled, and on-brand. Her online persona
is one of glamour, luxury, and control, even though she has admitted in
interviews that real life isn’t always as polished as her feed suggests. Kim
Kardashian’s success comes from consistency, not necessarily authenticity.
In
contrast, there are public figures that gained popularity by embracing
authenticity. For instance, Emma Chamberlain, a YouTuber and influencer, are famous
of not being perfect but being honest and freaky. She shows her awkward moments
and openly talks about anxiety and self-doubt. Her content resonates with Gen Z
audiences who are increasingly seeking "realness" over perfection.
The
difference between these two styles has shown that authenticity can also be
curated, but in a different way. Some influencers curate their imperfections
just as carefully as others curate perfection. Whether their contents are real
or strategic, the goal is the same, which is be accepted and validated by an
audience.
The
Double-Edged Scroll: Mental Health and Digital Stress
Social
media give impacts on real-world relationships and self-image. According to
Abbas et al. (2024), there are various types of social media platforms that
changed teenagers way of interaction, communications, and perceptions of world.
Nowadays, everyone tends to avoid face-to-face communication as we can
communicate through various platforms on social media. Although we are in
different regions, we still can interact with each other using social media platforms.
So, social media has heavy influence on people’s perspective of their
self-image. For instance, our self-esteem will increase when we are socially
recognized, such as having many of followers on TikTok. Therefore, social media
have both positive and negative effects on people’s mental health.
First
and foremost, the positive effect of social media on people’s mental health is
social support and connection. According to Ajewumi et al. (2024), social media
platforms enable people to connect and interact with each other. From my
personal experience, I joined a community in Facebook where members can share
problem solving strategies to me when I am dealing with personal issues like
financial problem. Platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram
also allow me to stay connected with my family, friends, and communities
regardless of physical distance. This is because social media platforms like WhatsApp
are featured with functions such as video calls, and this allows me to look at
my loved ones virtually and interact. Also, I can get emotional support through
social media when I am down. This
way, I can receive encouragement from society through social support and a
sense of connection, which helps me to cope better with my struggles.
Furthermore,
the positive effect of social media on people’s mental health is
self-expression. Social media serves as a platform for us to share our
problems, thoughts or feelings. For instance, we can express ourselves using
videos, photos and music in platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to share our
current feelings. We can also post stories on Facebook to communicate and share
personal experiences. When we see someone’s post, we can offer advice or words
of encouragement. This interaction can boost their confidence and help improve
their self-esteem after receiving support. Social media can be useful for
self-expression and mental health, as it allows people to openly share their
problems and express emotions effectively, which can help manage stress.
On
the other hand, the negative effect of social media on people’s mental health
is social comparison and decreased self-esteem. According to Ajewumi et al.
(2024), people always compare themselves to the idealised images and lifestyles
portrayed by the influencers on the social media, reflecting what they aspire
to have or become . Social media frequently shows the “perfect” version of
people’s lives in which people only post their happy moments and achievements
on social media platforms. Influencers on social media will only show the
positive side to everyone. For example, a girl may come across a post on Twitter
showing someone purchasing expensive clothing. This can prompt the girl to
compare herself to the influencer, leading her to feel inadequate or have low
self-worth. She may begin to believe that she is not successful, wealthy, or
happy enough in comparison. It is important to acknowledge that everyone’s life
has imperfections, and individuals should learn to cherish and appreciate they have now. Excessive social comparison on
social media can significantly impact mental health, shaping how individuals
perceive their own self-esteem and sense of worth.
Last
but not least, cyberbullying is the negative effect of social media on people’s
mental health. Social media serves as a platform for individual to commit
harassment online. Bullies can easily engage in cyberbullying anytime and
anywhere on social media platforms. Victims of cyberbullying often experience
emotional changes such as low self-esteem, disappointment, and anxiety. As
cyberbullying can target multiple individuals simultaneously, it may lead to
serious mental health issues, including depression and even suicide. These
harmful effects are especially common among teenagers and young adults, who are
primary users of social media for both work and leisure. For instance, if a boy
leaves a cruel comment on a girl’s selfie that critics her weight, clothing, or
appearance, and it could lead to body image issues and long-term emotional
distress. Therefore, cyberbullying has a significant negative impact on
individuals’ mental health.
In
conclusion, social media not only give impacts on real-world relationships and
self-image but also give the positive and negative effects on people’s mental
health. Social media can provide a positive mental awareness by offering social
support and connection and self-expression. Meanwhile, social media also can
destroy the growth of mental health by social comparison and self-esteem and
cyberbullying. As a result, we should use the social media with a correct way
to maintain our healthy relationships and well-being in our daily life.
Comparison
Culture: Influencers, FOMO, and Fragmented Identity
When
I first joined Instagram at fourteen, I thought it would just be a place to
post fun photos with my friends. At first, it was exactly that—unfiltered
selfies, silly captions, and random snapshots of my day, but things changed
quickly. I began watching what others were posting and realized how carefully
curated everything was. I started comparing my photos to theirs, my life to
theirs. I would not post anything unless I thought it looked “aesthetic”
enough. If a post did not get enough likes, I would take it down, worried it
said something about my worth. I started shaping who I thought I should be
through social media, which was supposed to help me express myself.
This
experience is not unique. Millions of people, especially teens and young
adults, now grow up learning to craft their identities under the scrutiny of a
digital audience. Social media has become both a tool for self-expression and a
stage for performance (Twenge, 2017). It provides the opportunity to explore
one’s own identity, beliefs, and creativity, which can be freeing for some.
Others may find that it skews the process of finding their genuine selves
(boyd & Marwick, 2011).
Social
media has provided opportunities for those who might not feel safe or
comfortable expressing themselves in real life positively. Online platforms can
provide validation and community for those questioning their gender identity,
mental health, or cultural background. For instance, many young people have
found comfort and support in sharing their coming-out stories or mental health
struggles through TikTok or Instagram Reels. These platforms have made the
ability to speak, be heard, and be seen for underrepresented voices. In these
cases, social media can foster a deeper, more confident sense of identity by
showing users they are not alone (Gonzales
& Hancock, 2011).
However,
this same space can quickly turn toxic. Users often feel pressured to present
an idealized version of themselves as much of social media is driven by
algorithms that reward engagement. Individuals may filter their appearance,
imitate popular behaviours, and repress aspects of themselves that do not
“perform well” due to the constant demand for like, shares, and affirmation. This
performance can overshadow authenticity over time. Psychologist Dr. Jean Twenge
warns that social media pressures can prevent teenagers from developing a solid
identity as they are more concerned with how others perceive them than on
discovering who they truly are (Twenge, 2017; Turkle, 2011).
The
tension between authenticity and curation affected public figures too. Emma
Chamberlain, a fashion influencer and YouTuber, has shared her internal
conflicts regarding self-presentation. Despite being praised for her approachable
and genuine persona, Chamberlain confessed in a 2021 podcast episode that she
frequently pondered whether her online character represented her true self or simply
a carefully shaped identity designed to appeal to her followers that resonated
most with her audience. She stated, “You begin to wonder if that version of
yourself is all that matters when you get rewarded for being someone online”
(Chamberlain, 2021). Her analysis brings to light a prevalent conflict between
being authentic and satisfying the expectations of others.
Influencers
are not only users who are impacted by the pressure to project a perfect image.
A 2020 Pew Research study found that 59% of teens felt worse about their own
lives after seeing what others posted on social media (Anderson & Jiang,
2020). They still impact our self-perception even when we know posts are
filtered or staged. I wondered whether I was lagging or not doing enough as I
scrolled through endless pictures of peers traveling, getting accepted to top
universities, or glowing in ideal lighting. It is a quiet but persistent
comparison game that can chip away at confidence and authenticity (Turkle,
2011).
However,
there has been a noticeable change in recent years toward vulnerability and
transparency. Movements like #BodyPositivity and #MentalHealthAwareness have contributed
to the normalization of discussions regarding imperfections. Influencers like
Lizzo, who openly discusses body image and self-worth, and Dwayne “The Rock”
Johnson, who talks honestly about his struggles with depression, have demonstrated
the importance of being honest online (Gonzales & Hancock, 2011). These
efforts show that honesty on social media is possible if we are willing to
provide space for it.
The
use of social media ultimately determines whether technology facilitates or
impedes the development of a true sense of self. It has the potential to
support identity exploration, especially when users find communities that
reflect their values and experiences. However, there are dangers when one’s
value is equated with looks and numbers. Setting limits, reflecting offline,
and following people who encourage authenticity rather than insecurity are all
things that users need to understand (Twenge, 2017).
Toward a
Healthier Digital Identity
In
conclusion, social media reflects our usage choices rather than something that
is either good or negative. It can either be a mirror that helps us see
ourselves more clearly or a mask that hides who we truly are. It takes time,
reflection, and perhaps a break from the computer to discover one’s true self. At
that point, we can begin creating an identity that is based on who we are
rather than merely how we appear.
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