Are you the same person on social media as you are in real life?

Everybody we see around us has a social media account, and this is the world in which we all live. Different aspects and experiences from people’s lives are posted. Whether it was their first day of college or going out to lunch with their pals. Most people post some aspect of their lives online. But does this accurately reflect their lives? Do you believe that people are the same people in real life and on social media? In the documentary film “The Social Dilemma,” creators and ex-employees of social media talked about how depression and anxiety rates skyrocketed from 2011 to 2013. In the year 2011, more people were admitted to the hospital from harming themselves than before. Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter affect your mental health and tear you down because you look at people and see that they have nothing wrong with them.  Many people present a one-sided version of themselves on social media. They post amazing photos of themselves where they look so happy. This can be unrealistic because it is not how they actually feel in real life. Many social media users are giving followers the impression that they are happy when they really are not.  They feel competitive and want to be perceived as having a successful relationship, successful work, gifted children, exciting hobbies, or the cutest baby in the world, according to Valiant Living. By choosing to only share their best memories, social media users can curate their own lives. What is often forgotten is that it’s usually only the good side of life people tend to share on social media. It is rare to see someone posting about their fight with their family members or how they are dealing with the loss of a loved one. Yes occasionally you may find sad stories on the Instagram account of a friend who just broke up, but you still don’t know what goes on behind it. Well, that’s maybe how it should work, it isn’t a therapy session, right? It’s just your Instagram profile. On social media, people lie about a lot of things, including their appearance, potential relationships, and even their travel plans. They use picture editing software to make photos appear wonderful in order to make their lives seem amazing. “I’ve traveled across the nation and lost my bags, and then my money, too, I was a complete wreck. Maybe I should have taken a picture of me crying on the phone to Pam from the credit card company while wearing the free extra-large T-shirt I received from the airline. Nah, how about a picture of me standing in a stunning cove in the Washington highlands, lighted by the setting sun?” Anecdotes like the one shared by a HuffPost user remind us that even in challenging situations, we may prioritize projecting an idealized image over being authentic. Perhaps there is a middle ground, where we can embrace both the highs and lows of our lives without compromising our true selves. In conclusion, social media has both positive and negative effects. It brings us together and enables us to share special moments, but it can also result in unfair comparisons and mental anguish. Making genuine connections and advancing mental health can be facilitated by striking a balance between expressing our proudest achievements and admitting our shortcomings. Keep in mind that the person you portray on social media should be an accurate reflection of who you truly are.