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People spend an average of 143 minutes a day scrolling through social media. That’s exactly two hours and twenty-three minutes spent absorbing all sorts of information of various types and importance. Social media these days provide us with a lot of content that we identify with at that moment.

We save it and forward it to all our friends. But a few minutes later, thanks to the algorithm, we see other similar videos from people who have a hundred different opinions on the same topic.

Information overload and constant confrontation with conflicting opinions leads to a loss of internal compass and causes confusion in us. Therefore, it becomes common for many opinions to be formed according to trends and not according to our own beliefs.

When even serious things turn into jokes

These days, many serious topics are wrapped in humour. This can sometimes cause sensitivity to the topic to decrease. Although humor is an effective way for some to open up difficult topics and bring them closer to a wider audience, it also carries certain risks.

When we perceive certain issues only as the subject of jokes, we may lose the ability to take them seriously when they really matter. Even if we are not fully aware of it, this humor subconsciously changes our thinking and behaviour in this way.

When we add to this the online space where everything seems to be just fun, it is easy to forget what is real and what actually really bothers us.

Young people are the most vulnerable

Despite the fact that social networks have become a refuge for people of all ages, they are the greatest attraction for children and teenagers. They are at an age when they are starting to discover the world and all its pitfalls, and social networks accompany them on this journey.

According to research published in the journal Amazonia Investiga, young people on social networks are exposed not only to a huge amount of information, but also to the pressure to adapt to the content that algorithms constantly offer them.

In the case of children who are still forming their own opinions and values, this can lead to them starting to identify with attitudes that are not their own just because they are popular or mass-shared.

The research also warns that if young people do not know how to critically evaluate what they are watching, they may be more susceptible to manipulation in the future.

The perfect life?

It’s no surprise, then, that more and more people are having trouble identifying who they really are off the internet. Social media presents us with people’s perfect lives every day. Beautiful apartments, happy relationships, achievements that seem easy to achieve.

At that moment, we might say to ourselves, “I want that kind of life too,” but when we come back to reality, we realize that we don’t have any of that right now.

This contradiction creates frustration, envy, and feelings of inferiority. Even though we know that much of it is just a selection of the best moments or even an illusion, we can’t help but start comparing ourselves.

How often do you find yourself comparing your normal days to someone else’s best moments? And the more we compare ourselves, the more we lose touch with our own worth and satisfaction.

We asked how students perceive this issue

Student Sara told us that when she cannot form an opinion on a certain issue, she chooses the one she most identifies with from the Internet based on previous experiences or existing opinions and values. However, she sees who represents that opinion as a very important aspect.

On the other hand, when she focuses on trustworthy sources, she sees a wide range of opinions as an advantage. Once she has an opinion, she is open to changing or reevaluating it. She also understands that some people use humour as a defense mechanism, but she fears that society can easily slip into a state where we will not be able to distinguish what is essential.

Student Peter admits that he has changed his opinion just because he saw other people with a different attitude on the Internet. He explains that the reason behind this was the fear of online hatred and condemnation, which, according to him, are not uncommon in the online space. “People there can be really unpleasant,” he adds. Nevertheless, he thinks that more information can be beneficial if it comes from quality and verified sources, expanding our awareness.

According to him, however, many people form opinions based on what the algorithm feeds them, precisely out of fear of rejection. He is most worried about children who are still forming their opinions. He feels that if they are exposed to only one type of content, they may be more susceptible to manipulation in the future. He is also aware of the power of humour, sometimes using it as a defense mechanism himself when it is too much for him. Nevertheless, he thinks it is important to know when humor is appropriate and when it can hurt.

When reality doesn’t match our vision

We often create unrealistic expectations for ourselves based on what we see online. We think that if we do what others do, we’ll feel just as good as them. So, we try out an aesthetic sport, go on a trendy trip, try on clothes or a lifestyle that we liked on someone else. But reality can disappoint us.

We find that it doesn’t fulfill us, that it’s not us. The result is not only disappointment, but also confusion about who we really are. Because when everything we thought defined us falls apart, there’s a void left that we don’t know how to fill.

Behind the scenes of the internet

Some things look great online until we see what’s behind them. Influencers who present their dream jobs actually face enormous pressure, hatred, and burnout.

Viral challenges can be dangerous, and ideal lives are often just a veneer over personal problems. When we learn what’s hidden behind the scenes, we feel disillusioned, perhaps even a loss of trust. We stop believing what we see, but at the same time we don’t know what to hold on to.

Reality

Reality is quieter, slower, and often much less visually beautiful. But it is precisely in it that what is real is hidden. Our inner world, our relationships, the little everyday moments.

Often, we don’t even have to add anything, just watching the lives of others is enough to make us doubt our own. The Internet teaches us how we should look, what we should enjoy, and what we should feel. When we are offline, suddenly it is just us and our own silence.

That can be uncomfortable. But it is in those moments that we have a chance to get to know who we really are. When no one shows us who we should be.

 

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