Our whole lives, we have been constantly reminded by our parents, grandparents, or any influential adult in our lives to stay true to ourselves, no matter the circumstances. We were often reminded of the dangers of peer pressure, and how the behaviors and choices of others are not always acceptable or responsible. As each generation matures and grows into a functioning adult, we realize our capabilities to make decisions for ourselves and remove the nagging pressure from our peers.
Today, however, there is a new peer that is constantly becoming more advanced in how it exerts peer pressure – that is social media.
We may want to thank social media for allowing us to expand our network and relationships with others, obtain access to news and information, and most importantly communicate. But it is affecting the mentality of every generation that is on social media.
There is a constant comparison users face on any social media platform. According to a Pew Research study, 29% of teens feel pressured into posting content that will please their followers and allow them to receive a large amount of likes and comments. Another Pew Research study shows that 23% of teens feel that social media makes them feel worse about their lives. The comparison to others at such a young age is difficult and terrifying to comprehend. Immediately as teenagers join social media, grow up on the platform, and gain more consciousness about the world around them, they begin to doubt who they are. FOMO is a common phrase thrown around by many teens and young adults. The phrase FOMO (fear of missing out), can also play a powerful role in the pressure of social media as this may allow one to look down upon themselves and make them feel neglected by others. They feel pressured to redeem themselves on social media to show others they are capable of doing other things.
Social media is also affecting the way individuals view their personal experiences. A Guardian article found that 62% of 15 to 16-year-olds have felt social media has caused them to pay more attention and care more about their appearance.
Many of these teens feel they have to transform themselves to fit certain standards, lifestyles, or trends so they will receive those extra likes and comments. But this is seen throughout all generations interchangeably.
As a young adult, I have felt pressured by social media. I have had this experience on LinkedIn. Before settling on an internship for the Summer of 2024, I have constantly been scrolling through LinkedIn, refreshing my feed, and seeing multiple new posts from friends and peers about new jobs and internships they have coming for them. I know from my own experience and others, who are in the early stages of entering the real world or their senior year of college, feel pressured to immediately find a job. The pressure of social media is so versatile, there are so many different forms that one cannot escape.
Digging deeper into the pressure of social media, the term imposter syndrome is important to be aware of. According to a University of Edinburgh study, imposter syndrome correlates to an individual’s professional life being characterized as phony, fraudulent, or unsuccessful. This is seen on various forms of social media, most popularly LinkedIn and Instagram. Over 82% of employees in the workforce experience this. Again, this shows how the pressure of social media is seen throughout all generations. People are feeling anxious, depressed, and worn out as they are constantly comparing their accomplishments and lifestyles to the successes of others. Users of Instagram are cautiously creating Instagram feed aesthetics so one profile looks appealing to their followers. Individuals are also Photoshopping and Face-Tuning their images so they look visually appealing.
Users of social media must realize that these platforms serve as friends only to a certain point and need to find ways to control the impact it is having on their physical and mental well-being. In today’s social media environment, users of this content must have confidence by consuming it with a skeptical point of view and not allow it to negatively influence how they may feel about themselves. We all have wonderful attributes and strengths, and we must embrace the traits that make us special and not try to compete with others. After all, no one has a perfect life, even though people tend to characterize themselves on social media as having the best of everything. Hopefully, in the future, social media training will become part of the education curriculum to equip young people to act more respectfully and responsibly online as this could position young people with better coping skills in terms of managing the information that they receive and access on these platforms.
Featured image courtesy of Mary Long.
Social Media @ CIEE Prague 