Social media seems to be taking over the world, especially among Collegiettes. Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are probably among the many apps on your smartphone, and are likely kept up with regularly. However, Instagram, a photograph-based social media app, can actually hurt your confidence.
Instagram is quickly turning into a drain on the self-esteem of many Collegiettes. One disturbing element of the app is “filters.” These can be applied to pictures to make them seem more attractive or appealing. Some apps even allow users to erase their flaws, including covering up acne or making bodies seem skinnier. This creates unrealistic images and perpetuates the generation of “retouching.” According to an article on Daily Mail, one college woman said, “Whether I post a selfie or a picture of the sunset, I am very self-conscious of how many likes I get.”
Another woman surveyed in the article said, “Seeing things that another person has makes me envious, wishing I had what that person has. That can be anything from their lifestyle or body image.” As we scroll through our Instagram feed, we may follow women such as Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Victoria’s Secret models, Alexis Ren, and other similar profiles. They all display seemingly perfect lifestyles. Although it’s known that no one’s life is “perfect,” the social media app makes it easy to fake it.
One example is the Instagram model, Essena O’Neill. The 18-year-old Australian had been posting pictures on the site for years, gaining half a million followers in the process. Many of these people dubbed her as perfect or a role model. However, O’Neill recently quit Instagram after re-captioning her photos with realistic words, depicting what was actually going on in her life at the time. “I’ve spent the majority of my teenage life being addicted to social media, social approval, social status, and my physical appearance, ” read the caption on O’Neill’s last post. “[Social media] is contrived images and edited clips ranked against each other. It’s a system based on social approval, likes, validation, views, success in followers. It’s perfectly orchestrated self-absorbed judgement.”
Essena O’Neill proceeded to delete about 2,000 images, then renamed her Instagram account, “Social Media Is Not Real Life.” O’Neill turned her experience with Instagram into an inspiring movement. “Let’s Be Game Changers,” is the name of her recently launched website. The site is a thought-provoking response to social media platforms that require validation, in addition to focusing on O’Neill’s interests instead of her looks. Her latest post is a book list she compiled, featuring novels like Jane Eyre and 1984.
Although Instagram can be used for more powerful causes, many of us still scour our Activity Feed to see how many likes and comments we get on each post. An acquaintance commenting, “You’re beautiful,” or that your crush “liking” your selfie may be a temporary confidence boost, but it will never fill the void that a lack of self-esteem creates. The only thing that can do that is inner happiness, soul-searching, and being your truest self.