While social media can help people express themselves it can also influence how we view ourselves and others. Each day it is more common to see children using social media and unconsciously comparing themselves to different influencers without noticing age, economic status, and/or mental state.
The rise of social media
There has been a long evolution regarding social media. Start with apps like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and now TikTok. These platforms have dominated how we communicate, share, and consume information but also put a spotlight on how we view ourselves.
Although there can be a positive side to social media, like I mentioned before, it gives a platform for people to express themselves however they want, and create communities based on similar lifestyles. It also gives the opportunity to present diverse representations. Although there could be many negative sides such as feeling pressured to act or publish a certain way, the constant exposure to unrealistic standards can also affect mental health
In conclusion, social media is a double-edged sword that has enough power to control the way we view ourselves and others, we must be able to understand both negative and positive aspects of social media to approach it with awareness, critical thinking, and empathy, creating a healthy environment for our mental health.