We’ve all heard it before. From our parents, grandparents, or your distant aunt who feels the need to contribute her two cents: “It’s because of that phone!” Though we may roll our eyes, there is a certain level of validity behind their harsh criticism. Interacting on a friend’s recent post may seem automatic to most teenagers; notification goes off, like the post, leave a comment. Though the ritual has been ingrained into our routines, we all find ourselves stumbling upon one question at some point: “Why can’t that be me?”
There are a few things that are certain in life – death, taxes, and the desire for your Instagram to be as perfect and “aesthetic” as possible. People spend hours finding the right pose, choosing a filter, and picking out the wittiest caption; all curating an impeccable profile for their followers to appreciate. However, as people view these carefully selected, “perfect” moments, a feeling of missing out (FOMO) begins to take root. We begin to wonder if we’re behind the curve or less adequate than the supposedly untouchable people we once saw as our equals. FOMO, though seemingly a simple term, can have a powerful effect on people. The moments we once enjoyed start to feel lacking compared to those we see online; as a result, this can lead to increased feelings of anxiety and depression. Additionally, comparisons to these glamorous Instagram profiles can contribute to a vicious cycle; anxiety leads to people checking social media constantly, resulting in heightened feelings of stress that can become difficult to escape.
As we have seen, comparison can have a profound impact on the viewer. Though it can feel satisfying to finally hit the button and see the comments begin to roll in, social media can affect the poster as well, regardless of the flawless lives they seem to live. This gratification we feel after posting is your brain releasing dopamine. You don’t need to take a biology class to know what dopamine is; chances are, you likely heard it associated with negative things such as addiction and disorders. While these are true, it can especially impact one’s mental health. When someone posts regularly enough, they can get addicted to this rush. Although the attention may feel rewarding in the moment, it suddenly becomes difficult to recalibrate if a post “flops” or receives less interaction than expected. This can lead to a diminished sense of self, feelings of inadequacy, and anxiety. Furthermore, even though the difference between you and the person you see online may seem stark, both parties are essentially two sides of the same coin – the shiny coin of dopamine.
Regardless of where you stand – poster or viewer (or both!) – it is important to remember that social media is not inherently evil, despite what that paranoid aunt may tell you. Social media is the reason that we continue the conversation of mental health and support others. Rather, what we do need is to watch out for the behaviors and habits associated with social media. To avoid falling into this trap, remind yourself to take breaks, limit your screen time, and, if you need to, don’t be hesitant to unfollow the “picture-perfect” people. This is especially important because, at the end of the day, if we don’t moderate our use of social media, we may become the very thieves of our own joy.
