Social media consumes our generation. We are constantly using Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and other social media outlets to document our lives and keep up with the lives of others. But the way we display our lives on our social media pages is not always the way they are in reality.
Social media star Essena O’Neill recently broke her silence about her “picture perfect” life. Having over half a million Instagram followers, Essena captured her life in a series of aspirational yet often brand sponsored images that seemed almost too good to be true. Essena finally had enough and decided to edit the captions of her pictures to tell the truth behind all her “perfect” photos. She explained her “candid” shots were not actually candid at all; she would take hundreds of photos then edit the best picture for hours on end. Essena also opened up about her unhealthy eating habits to achieve her picture perfect body.
“A 15 year old girl that calorie restricts and excessively exercises is not goals. Anyone addicted to social media fame like I once was, is not in a conscious state.” Essena wrote on her Instagram.
Social media has allowed girls like Essena to create a twisted image of themselves. Hiding behind filters and basing self-worth off of Instagram likes has become a norm among teenage girls.
“I spent every day looking at a screen, viewing and comparing myself to others,” Essena wrote. “Without realizing, I’ve spent majority of my teenage life being addicted to social media, social approval, social status and my physical appearance.”
Essena created a website, LetsBeGameChangers.com, to tell her story and encourage others to be present and live authentically. She deleted her other social media pages but frequently updates her website with poetry, videos, and other game changing stuff in hope to influence others about the dangers of social media.