Social media is a big part of our lives, but it can sometimes make people seem less real. It often leads to comparing ourselves with others in terms of happiness, wealth, and looks. It’s common to share a version of ourselves online that isn’t completely true. I post things I want others to see, but I know social media can influence how people act in real life. It has a big impact.
I’m not a fan of using filters or editing tools. Some people get too focused on their social media presence, which can take away from the original goal of connecting with others. I spend a lot of time thinking about what I post on my main account because people I don’t know well might see it. On my secondary account, I share more natural and unfiltered photos.
It’s okay to show a polished version of yourself to impress friends, but I often look for approval from others. I’ve realized that likes and comments don’t define my value. I used to count my likes, which made me anxious, so I stopped. Now, I post mainly for my own memories and to enjoy those moments again. I hope others like the content as much as I do.
When it comes to likes, I don’t feel pressured to post certain things; instead, I feel pressure not to post certain things. I try to be genuine and only share parts of myself that reflect who I really am. I understand that people often show a limited view of themselves online, which doesn’t capture their whole identity.
As an athlete getting ready for college, I have to be careful about how I present myself on social media, especially since scouts and colleges might be watching. Curating your social media can have good sides, like showing your best moments and happiness. But it can also cause anxiety and stress if you’re always trying to show a perfect life.
I often check how my posts do compared to others, and if something doesn’t get many likes, I might delete it. We usually only see the highlights of people’s lives, not the struggles behind them. If someone is posting heavily edited photos, I don’t think that’s okay, as it can promote unrealistic beauty standards, especially for teenagers.
There have been times when I’ve edited photos to look different, and my friends often worry about how they look in pictures. I remind them that it shouldn’t matter too much. Social media can create unrealistic expectations, and people often edit their lives to gain approval. It’s easy to overthink things, but if you’re comfortable with yourself, it’s okay to share what you want.
In the end, social media affects not just our online personas but also how we see ourselves in real life. Remember that those who seem to live perfect lives are curating their experiences, so don’t feel pressured to measure up to just a small part of their reality.
Imagine you are creating a new social media account. Design a profile that reflects both the polished and genuine aspects of yourself. Write a short bio, choose a profile picture, and list three posts you would share. Discuss with your classmates how these choices represent different parts of your identity.
Keep a journal for a week where you reflect on your social media usage. Each day, write about how social media made you feel and whether it influenced your self-perception. At the end of the week, summarize your findings and consider any changes you might want to make in your social media habits.
Participate in a class debate about the positive and negative impacts of social media on teenagers. Prepare arguments for both sides, considering how social media can connect people and also create unrealistic expectations. Reflect on the debate and write a paragraph about your personal stance.
In small groups, discuss the ethics of photo editing on social media. Consider questions like: Is it okay to use filters? When does editing become misleading? Share your thoughts with the class and create a list of guidelines for ethical photo sharing.
Attend a workshop where you explore the relationship between social media and self-worth. Engage in activities that help you identify your strengths and values outside of social media. Create a personal mantra or affirmation that reinforces your self-worth independent of online validation.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any potentially sensitive or inappropriate content while maintaining the overall message:
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I think that social media can make people seem less genuine. It often leads to comparisons about happiness, wealth, and appearances. It’s okay to share a version of oneself that isn’t entirely real. I post things that I want others to see, but I believe social media influences how people behave in real life. It carries a lot of weight.
I don’t support the use of filters or editing tools. Some individuals tend to obsess over their social media presence, which can detract from the original intention of connecting with others. I spend a lot of time being careful about what I post on my main account, mainly because there are people I don’t know well who will see it. My secondary account, however, features more candid and unfiltered images.
It’s fine to showcase a polished version of yourself to impress friends, but I often seek validation from others. However, I’ve come to realize that likes and comments don’t define my worth. I used to count my likes, which caused me anxiety, so I stopped. Now, I post mainly for my own memories and to relive those moments. I hope others enjoy the content as much as I do.
When it comes to likes, I don’t feel pressured to post certain things; rather, I feel pressure not to post certain things. I strive to be authentic and only share aspects of myself that reflect who I am. I recognize that people often present a limited view of themselves online, which doesn’t capture their full identity.
As an athlete preparing for college, I need to be mindful of how I present myself on social media, especially since scouts and colleges may be watching. Curating your social media can have positive aspects, allowing you to showcase your best moments and happiness. However, it can also lead to anxiety and stress if you’re always portraying a perfect life.
I often check how my posts perform compared to others, and if something doesn’t receive as many likes, I might delete it. We usually only see the highlights of people’s lives, not the struggles behind them. If someone is posting heavily edited photos, I don’t think that’s okay, as it can promote unrealistic beauty standards, especially for teenagers.
There are times when I’ve edited photos to look different, and my friends often worry about how they appear in pictures. I remind them that it shouldn’t matter too much. Social media can create unrealistic expectations, and people often edit their lives to gain approval. It’s easy to overthink things, but if you’re comfortable with yourself, it’s okay to share what you want.
Ultimately, social media affects not just our online personas but also how we perceive ourselves in real life. Remember that those who seem to live perfect lives are curating their experiences, so don’t feel pressured to measure up to just a small part of their reality.
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while ensuring it is appropriate for all audiences.
Social Media – Platforms and websites that allow people to interact, share content, and communicate with others online. – Many teenagers use social media to stay connected with friends and family.
Identity – The qualities, beliefs, and expressions that make a person or group unique. – Adolescents often explore different aspects of their identity during high school.
Anxiety – A feeling of worry or nervousness about something with an uncertain outcome. – Students may experience anxiety before taking important exams.
Approval – The belief that someone or something is good or acceptable; a positive opinion. – Teenagers often seek approval from their peers to feel accepted.
Happiness – A state of well-being and contentment; a positive emotional condition. – Finding a balance between schoolwork and hobbies can lead to greater happiness.
Pressure – The feeling of stress or urgency caused by the demands of others or oneself. – High school students may feel pressure to perform well academically.
Expectations – Beliefs about what will happen in the future or how someone should behave. – Parents often have high expectations for their children’s success in school.
Authenticity – The quality of being genuine or true to one’s own personality and values. – Being authentic can help build stronger relationships with others.
Comparison – The act of evaluating two or more things to determine similarities and differences. – Constant comparison to others on social media can affect self-esteem.
Reality – The state of things as they actually exist, rather than as they may appear or might be imagined. – Understanding the difference between online portrayals and reality is important for mental health.
