Social media has become an intrinsic part of life. Individuals have consumed themselves with the obsessions of posting, taking selfies, filtering, sharing, commenting, liking, and even worrying. However, why do people worry and what are they worried about? Many individuals would say that their respective social media pages don’t affect the way they see themselves or how happy they are, but the truth is, it does affect them.
Individuals filter their pictures correctly so that they will look attractive to everyone. They also keep high following. It’s all about image and has many people following them, but in real life, they got only a few. So why do individuals need this kind of satisfaction from strangers they barely know?
The answer is very simple -o boost self-esteem. If you are to talk around in during a regular day and you have a hundred or more people telling you that they love your outfit and compliment you in one way or another; things will get a bit redundant, and at a certain point, it becomes uncomfortable. Social media provides a platform for individuals to express their day to day lives discreetly, conveniently in their terms without the need to talk to somebody.
The internet, as well as social media, has indeed affected every aspect of people’s lives, including their emotions.
How Social Media Impacts Self-Esteem
• Supportive social media online interactions can increase self-confidence, with the reverse being valid and true.
• Individuals with higher self-esteem tend to post increasingly about their work, their family, as well as their education.
• Individuals with lower confidence are progressively worried about what other individuals post about them. They consistently monitor and review their feeds and erase undesirable posts.
How Social Media Impacts Happiness
• More time spent on social media is related to lower life fulfillment and satisfaction
• Interactions on social media produce dopamine
• Online networking is generally negative for individuals
How Social Media Affects Loneliness and Companionship
• Young adults have the highest level of perceived loneliness
• Older individuals are less discouraged and desolate when they are active on social media
• Excessive social media use is linked with high levels of loneliness
How Social Media Affects Empathy
• Individuals are influenced by negativity and positivity of Facebook posts
The effects of social media on emotions are apparent. To ensure that social media won’t hit your emotions negatively, you need to be more responsible for your online use. As much as possible, you must limit your social media usage. Use your interactions online to facilitate real world relationships and meetings better. It also helps to post positively and be mindful about your online environment and how this might affect you in a way or another.
Social media has its impacts on the lives of people, including their emotions, so the best thing to do so that it won’t affect your emotions negatively is to take responsibility for your online activities. Social media is meant to help you achieve ideal emotional growth, so use it in such a way that it will make you generate positive and healthy emotions.
