In today’s world, there’s a big push for self-love and positivity, especially on social media. While this can be great, it sometimes turns into showing off or bragging. When you scroll through social media, you often see people looking their absolute best, which can feel overwhelming. It’s important to remember that what you see online doesn’t always reflect reality. Many people, including myself, avoid posting anything that feels too silly or personal. Online, there’s often a pressure to present a perfect version of yourself, which isn’t always true to who you are.
Being a teenager comes with a lot of pressure to fit in and be accepted. This often means trying to show a version of yourself that seems perfect. Much of this pressure comes from within, as we all want to be seen in a certain way. Social media can amplify this feeling, making us feel like we need to look and act a certain way to be liked.
Despite these pressures, social media can be a fun way to express yourself. It allows you to share parts of your life that others might not see in person. You get to choose what you share, which can be empowering. However, if you always try to show that you’re happy and perfect, it can lead to stress and anxiety. It becomes challenging to balance how you present yourself online with who you really are in real life.
There have been times when I’ve used filters or edited photos to change how I look, like making myself appear slimmer or hiding blemishes. While we have many chances to share who we are, people often edit their images to get approval from others. I find myself doing this too because I want to be liked and accepted.
It’s important to find a balance between being yourself and the image you present online. Remember that everyone feels pressure to look perfect, but it’s okay to be real and authentic. Social media should be a place where you can express yourself freely without feeling the need to be someone you’re not. Embrace who you are, both online and offline, and remember that it’s okay to be imperfect.
Take some time to write in a journal about how you feel when you use social media. Consider questions like: Do you feel pressure to present yourself in a certain way? How do you decide what to post? Reflect on whether your online presence truly represents who you are.
Choose a photo of yourself that you like and one that you don’t like as much. Analyze why you feel differently about these photos. Discuss with a partner how filters and editing might change your perception of these images. Consider how these tools affect your self-image.
In small groups, create a role-play scenario where you act out a social media interaction. One person can play the role of someone posting a perfect image, while others react to it. Discuss how these interactions make you feel and how they might influence your self-esteem.
Create a collage that represents your online persona versus your real-life self. Use images, words, and symbols to express the differences and similarities. Share your collage with the class and explain your choices, discussing the balance between authenticity and online presentation.
Participate in a class discussion about the importance of authenticity online. Share your thoughts on how social media can be both a positive and negative influence. Discuss strategies for maintaining a healthy balance between your online image and your true self.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
I think there’s a lot of promotion around self-love and positivity, but sometimes that can turn into boasting or showing off. You go on social media and see everyone posed and looking their best, which can be overwhelming. Behind the screen, it doesn’t always reflect who you are. I prefer not to post anything that feels too goofy or vulnerable. When you’re online, there’s often a perfect, unrealistic image of yourself that gets portrayed.
A lot of the pressure of being a teenager, regardless of who you are, comes from the expectation to present an image that is more accepted and well-received by society. There is significant pressure to show a version of yourself that seems close to perfect. Much of that pressure comes from within, as I want to look and present myself in a certain way.
I do enjoy being on social media because it allows me to express myself in ways that people may not see in person. You can choose what you share with others. However, if you constantly present yourself as always happy, it can lead to anxiety and stress about how to portray yourself online versus in real life.
There have definitely been times when I’ve used filters or edited photos to look a certain way, whether that means looking slimmer or having fewer blemishes. We have many opportunities to share who we are, but people often edit that to seek approval. I find myself doing the same because I want to be liked.
Self-love – Self-love is the practice of caring for and valuing oneself, recognizing one’s worth and prioritizing personal well-being. – Example sentence: Practicing self-love can help improve your mental health and boost your confidence.
Positivity – Positivity refers to the practice of focusing on the good aspects of life and maintaining an optimistic outlook. – Example sentence: Maintaining positivity can help you cope better with stress and challenges.
Pressure – Pressure is the feeling of stress or urgency that comes from external demands or expectations. – Example sentence: Students often feel pressure to perform well in exams and meet their parents’ expectations.
Perfect – In psychology, the concept of perfect often relates to the unrealistic pursuit of flawlessness, which can lead to stress and dissatisfaction. – Example sentence: Striving to be perfect in everything can sometimes lead to burnout and anxiety.
Social media – Social media refers to online platforms where people can share content and connect with others, influencing social interactions and self-perception. – Example sentence: Social media can impact how teenagers view themselves and their relationships with others.
Express – To express means to convey thoughts, feelings, or ideas through words, actions, or art. – Example sentence: Art can be a powerful way to express emotions and experiences.
Reality – Reality is the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealized or notional idea of them. – Example sentence: It’s important to distinguish between reality and the idealized images we often see online.
Filters – Filters in social media are tools that alter images or videos to enhance or change their appearance, often affecting perceptions of reality. – Example sentence: Using filters on social media can sometimes create unrealistic standards of beauty.
Anxiety – Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. – Example sentence: Many students experience anxiety before taking important exams.
Balance – Balance refers to maintaining a healthy proportion of different aspects of life, such as work, rest, and leisure. – Example sentence: Finding a balance between schoolwork and relaxation is crucial for mental health.
