In today’s world, there’s a big focus on self-love and positivity. However, this can sometimes turn into bragging or showing off. When you scroll through social media, you often see people looking their absolute best, and it can feel overwhelming. The person you see on the screen might not truly reflect who they are in real life. Because of this, I sometimes hesitate to post anything that feels too silly or reveals too much about my true self.
When you’re online, there’s a tendency to present a perfect, but unrealistic, version of yourself. A lot of the pressure that comes with being a teenager is about wanting to show an image that society finds acceptable and appealing. Some people even create secondary accounts where they don’t have to worry about how perfect their pictures look or how much they’ve been edited.
While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s definitely a growing part of social media. There’s a lot of pressure to appear almost perfect, and most of this pressure comes from within. I want to look and present myself in a certain way. You can choose what people see, but if you always show yourself as happy, it can lead to anxiety and stress about how you appear online versus in real life.
There are definitely times when I’ve used filters or edited photos to look a certain way. Many people edit their online presence because they want to be liked. I enjoy being on social media because it lets me express myself in ways that people might not see in person. I spend a lot of time carefully choosing what I post on my main account, especially since there are people I don’t know well who might see it.
My secondary account, however, is filled with candid pictures and funny captions. It’s not just a place to spam; some people have accounts dedicated to specific interests. These secondary accounts are more fun for me because I can share funny or quirky things, repost memes, or express opinions on current events that I might not feel comfortable sharing with everyone on my main account. Having a separate page allows for more genuine self-expression, and I think that’s really important. It gives people a chance to see who you really are.
In conclusion, while social media can be a place of pressure and perfection, it also offers opportunities for genuine self-expression. By balancing how we present ourselves online with who we truly are, we can enjoy the benefits of social media without losing sight of our true selves.
Imagine you are creating a new social media profile. Design a profile that reflects both your interests and your true self. Include a profile picture, a short bio, and three posts that showcase different aspects of who you are. Think about how you can balance authenticity with the desire to present yourself positively.
Participate in a role-playing debate where you and your classmates take on different perspectives about online self-presentation. Some of you will argue for the importance of maintaining a perfect online image, while others will advocate for authenticity. Discuss the pros and cons of each approach and reflect on your own views.
Engage in a photo editing workshop where you learn about the tools and techniques used to enhance images. Experiment with editing a photo of yourself, then discuss how these changes affect your perception of the image. Consider how editing can both positively and negatively impact self-esteem and authenticity.
Create a mock secondary social media account where you can express a different side of yourself. Share posts that you might not typically share on your main account. Reflect on how this experience feels and what it reveals about your online and offline identities.
Keep a journal for a week where you reflect on your social media use. Write about how you feel before and after posting, the types of content you engage with, and any pressures you experience. At the end of the week, review your entries and consider how your online presence aligns with your true self.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
I think there’s a lot of emphasis on self-love and positivity, but sometimes that can turn into boasting or showing off. You go on social media and see everyone posed, looking their best, and it can be overwhelming. Behind the screen, it might not reflect who you really are. So, I hesitate to post anything that feels too goofy or vulnerable.
When you’re online, you often present a perfect, unrealistic image of yourself. A lot of the pressure of being a teenager, regardless of who you are, comes from wanting to project an image that is more accepted and well-received by society. Some people create secondary accounts where they don’t have to worry about the quality of their pictures or how much editing has been done.
While I wouldn’t say it’s a bad thing, it’s definitely a part of social media that is growing. There is a lot of pressure to present a version of yourself that seems close to perfect. Most of that pressure comes from within, as I want to look and present myself a certain way. You can choose what people see, but if you constantly display yourself as always happy, it can lead to anxiety and stress about how to present yourself online versus in real life.
There are definitely times when I’ve used filters or edited photos to look a certain way. People often edit their online presence because they want to be liked. I enjoy being on social media because it allows me to express myself in ways that people might not see in person. I spend a lot of time being careful about what I post on my main account, especially since there are people I don’t know well.
My secondary account, however, is filled with candid pictures and funny captions. It’s not just a spam account; some people have accounts dedicated to specific interests. These secondary accounts are more fun for me because I can share funny or quirky things, repost memes, or express opinions on current events that I might not feel comfortable sharing with everyone on my main account. Having a separate page allows for more genuine self-expression, and I think that’s really important. It gives people a chance to see who you really are.
—
This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Self-love – Self-love is the practice of caring for and valuing oneself, recognizing one’s worth and treating oneself with kindness and respect. – Example sentence: Practicing self-love can help improve your mental health and overall well-being.
Positivity – Positivity is the practice of focusing on the good aspects of any situation and maintaining an optimistic outlook. – Example sentence: Maintaining positivity can help you cope better with stress and challenges.
Pressure – Pressure refers to the feeling of being pushed or forced to meet expectations or perform well, often causing stress or anxiety. – Example sentence: The pressure to get good grades can sometimes be overwhelming for students.
Perfection – Perfection is the state of being flawless or without any mistakes, often an unrealistic standard that can lead to stress. – Example sentence: Striving for perfection in every task can lead to unnecessary stress and disappointment.
Anxiety – Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. – Example sentence: Many people experience anxiety before taking an important exam or speaking in public.
Stress – Stress is the body’s response to any demand or challenge, which can be physical, mental, or emotional. – Example sentence: Learning how to manage stress is an important skill for maintaining mental health.
Editing – Editing is the process of reviewing and revising content to improve clarity, accuracy, and overall quality. – Example sentence: Editing your essays before submitting them can help you catch mistakes and improve your writing.
Expression – Expression is the process of conveying thoughts, feelings, or ideas through words, art, or actions. – Example sentence: Art can be a powerful form of expression, allowing people to share their emotions and perspectives.
Accounts – Accounts in social media refer to user profiles where individuals can share content and interact with others. – Example sentence: It’s important to manage your social media accounts responsibly to protect your privacy and well-being.
Social media – Social media are online platforms that allow users to create and share content or participate in social networking. – Example sentence: Social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, but it’s important to use it wisely.
