Social Media and Self-Perception

Key Points on Social Media's Influence

• Social media can make individuals appear more fake.
• The pressure to present an idealized version of oneself.
• Many people curate their social media to show only positive aspects.

Posting Intentions

• It's common to post a version of oneself that's not entirely real.
• Social media's original intention was to connect with others, but this purpose can get lost.
• Users may feel the need for validation from likes and comments.

Personal Reflections

• The speaker has become more mindful about what they post.
  • Uses a main account for curated content and a spam account for authenticity.
• Past experiences with counting likes led to anxiety; now focuses on posting for memories.
• The speaker does not feel pressured to post for likes but sometimes feels pressure not to post certain things.

Identity Representation

• Online personas may not represent the full individual.
• Pressure to conform to societal expectations based on one's identity (e.g., being an African-American scholar).
• Individuals carefully manage how they portray themselves due to societal expectations.

Pros and Cons of Curating Social Media

• Curating social media can have positive outcomes, allowing individuals to control their image.
• Constantly portraying happiness can lead to anxiety and stress.
• Users often check engagement on posts and may delete those that underperform.

Perceptions of Beauty and Expectations

• Models and influencers can promote unrealistic beauty standards, impacting teenagers' self-image.
• Individuals may edit photos to fit societal beauty standards, leading to negative self-perception.
• Friends often compare their appearance with others, leading to insecurities.

Conclusion

• Social media allows for selective sharing of life moments.
• Users should remember that what they see online often represents only a small part of reality.
• It's important to feel comfortable with oneself and post genuinely, rather than for likes.