Ari's Advice
By Ariella Just Milender
By Ariella Just Milender
Social media has become widely popular as a way to gain information, spread important messages and connect with friends and family far away. Platforms may also be a way to deepen interests, make friends and even catch up with what important figures are doing in their lives. While widely viewed as a positive tool, social media has become a huge contributor in social stereotypes and insecurities, leading to worsening mental health issues.
As someone who struggles with anxiety, I have seen firsthand the detrimental effects of social media. Creators constantly post of their travels and purchases, flaunting their wealth and status to fans who follow their every move. Likes continue to rack up and follower counts create a comparison between accounts. Social media has become a fierce competition of who is the best, rather than looking at who they are as people. People continue to not be their true authentic selves on social media platforms, therefore cultivating unfair standards of how to look and unattainable beauty standards. It is unbelievably hard to not compare yourself to others and feel worse about yourself when these standards constantly wave their hands in front of you. How can someone be authentic when social media simply creates insecurities and social pressure and therefore lowers self-esteem and confidence?
Social media should be a positive place, where people can be themselves without fear of judgment. It is such a powerful tool that can be used for change and help turn our society in the right direction, rather than the opposite way.
Moving forward, my hope is that social media will shift in a positive direction where everyone can be who they are, without pressure and fear of judgment. We as humans need to be accepting of others and bring each other up rather than tearing each other down.
As someone who struggles with anxiety, I have seen firsthand the detrimental effects of social media. Creators constantly post of their travels and purchases, flaunting their wealth and status to fans who follow their every move. Likes continue to rack up and follower counts create a comparison between accounts. Social media has become a fierce competition of who is the best, rather than looking at who they are as people. People continue to not be their true authentic selves on social media platforms, therefore cultivating unfair standards of how to look and unattainable beauty standards. It is unbelievably hard to not compare yourself to others and feel worse about yourself when these standards constantly wave their hands in front of you. How can someone be authentic when social media simply creates insecurities and social pressure and therefore lowers self-esteem and confidence?
Social media should be a positive place, where people can be themselves without fear of judgment. It is such a powerful tool that can be used for change and help turn our society in the right direction, rather than the opposite way.
Moving forward, my hope is that social media will shift in a positive direction where everyone can be who they are, without pressure and fear of judgment. We as humans need to be accepting of others and bring each other up rather than tearing each other down.