SOCIAL MEDIA IS CONTROLLING OUR HAPPINESS
where the new standard for evaluating one's own value is "likes", "views" and shares Greetings from the digital age, where social media approval has subtly turned into an addiction. Millions of young people browse Instagram, TikTok, and X (Twitter) every day, contrasting their lives with those of superstars and influencers. When we witness immaculate skin, lavish vacations, and dazzling smiles, we begin to feel inadequate or unworthy. We frequently overlook the fact that social media is a highlight reel rather than an actual life. Real people with issues, conflicts, and anxieties similar to our own are hidden behind those filters and captions.
The pressure is real, though. We feel happy, at least temporarily, when we receive more likes. It's referred to by psychologists as a "dopamine hit" a brief spike in pleasure that leaves us wanting more. Before we know it, we're nervously monitoring who liked orsaw our posts and stories every few minutes as we refresh our feeds. It's draining, and it's negatively affecting mental health.
Although social media was supposed to bring people together, it is instead making a lot of people feel more isolated. Authenticity is rare, attention spans are shorter, and friendships are now digital. People attend events to post about them, not to enjoy them. We lose sight of the present because we are so preoccupied with preserving it. An emotional gap cannot be filled by the quantity of followers. Loneliness cannot be concealed by any filter. We can regain control over the applications that govern us the sooner we recognize that. Instead of becoming a trap, social media ought to be a help.
Here's a little task: go offline for a weekend. Spend time with friends without sharing any photos online. Enjoy the scenery without taking notes. Have fun without considering captions. It may surprise you with how liberating it feels. It's time to start pursuing life instead of likes.