Behind the likes

NIAMH MARREN

While most people see social media as a safe space for free expression, the truth is that there are countless unwritten rules for how one must conduct themselves. Social media is one of the most popular forms of online communication, with 4.48 billion users worldwide in 2021.

As online media was created to extend the ability to interact with one’s social group, it can often create misconceptions or misunderstandings regarding the existence of genuine relationships, or lack thereof, in this case, between online connections.

Nadine Lahlouh, a senior, expresses how there are many artificial relationships online that do not extend to in-person interactions.

“A lot of the time, people are viewed as friends through different platforms, yet that does not extend to in person, as that friendship becomes the reality of just a mutual online relationship,” Lahlouh said.

According to the article, “Teens’ Social Media Habits and Experiences,” by Pew Research Center, Monica Anderson and Jingjing Jiang discuss how six in ten teenagers state that they spend most of their time with their friends online, compared to 24% of those who spend time with their friends in person.

Another unwritten rule of social media is that teenagers are often pressured to look their best to impress others. Because people can deliberately present the best version of themselves online, a false reality is created in the online environment, which is not translated into actual society. Anderson and Jiang also state that 26% of teens have felt worse about their personal lives and appearance with increased social media usage. This disillusionment creates an unhealthy relationship with oneself and unrealistic comparisons to others.

Hunter Dahlberg, a senior, explains that teenagers are constantly pressured to prove and present themselves in a certain way.

“Usually on social media, teenagers post to impress someone or multiple people. Everyone posts on social media to look their best, giving a false perception of reality,” Dahlberg said.

It is easier for many teenagers to follow the societal norms they were accustomed to from a young age than break the boundaries, as they fear criticism. The unwritten rules teenagers often follow are ingrained into society as they have been a part of life since childhood.

“People follow these rules subconsciously because it’s natural to conform to societal norms to fit in and not be portrayed as different,” Lahlouh said.

These unwritten rules extend into the differences between genders. Often, women are faced with societal pressures to look a certain way to entertain their audiences, while men are expected to post material items and outdoor activities.

Through the array of filters available with a click or a swipe, users can change different features of their image, changing facial structures and identities with ease. This idea often leads to unrealistic expectations for many young women and men, creating a toxic environment on social media.

“It has become an unspoken rule to post the best version of yourself. The hidden side of social media platforms, especially Instagram, are often overlooked with edits, filters, and Facetune to portray themselves to be the person they want others to see,” Lahlouh said.

According to Anderson and Jiang, 45% of teenagers are often overwhelmed by social media, and about 40% of them say that they experience external pressures to post content that will make them have a good impression on others.

With Generation Z being the first generation to be entirely raised with the capabilities of social media, a detrimental effect of the growing addiction and selfesteem issues arriving from social media norms have been ingrained into the new generation.

In an article by Facebook, titled, “What our Research Really Says About Teen Well-Being and Instagram,” Vice President and Head of Research Pratti Raychoudhury

stated, “The research shows one in three of those teenage girls who told us they were experiencing body image issues reported that using Instagram made them feel worse.”

Often young and easily impacted minds can be negatively affected by constantly seeing idealized models on online platforms, leading to worsening body image issues. Not only is criticism extremely widespread and common, but competition for appearing to have the most fulfilling life is a constant stressor upon teenagers.

“The endless cycle of constantly posting can be strenuous on mental health as everyone is trying to outdo and keep up with each other,” Dahlberg said.

This pressure from other users and society to engage in certain behaviors often creates a wide range of emotions for many users. Multiple studies have linked social media with an increased risk for depression, anxiety, and loneliness.

Although all users can face anxiety with social media, teenage girls are more susceptible to mental health conditions because of societal pressures.

“A lot of girls tend to face anxiety when posting an unedited image of themselves as it may be viewed with judgment and as people behind the screen are your harshest critics,” Lahlouh said.

However, not all effects of social media are negative, as some can increase friendly interaction between others. Shelly Bustamante expresses the few positive effects of social media on teenagers.

“There is evidence suggesting the potential for a few positive mental health benefits, such as a sense of belonging and human connection,” Bustamante said.

NIAMH MARREN