The Reality Behind the Screen
Madison Garcia (8)
Have you ever felt sad because you saw someone doing things that you wished you could do? Felt annoyed that they seem so happy on the screen on Instagram, Tiktok or Youtube? Well, you might see the good on the screen of your favorite Tiktoker or Youtuber, but in reality they also have problems in their lives, whether it’s a big problem or a small problem.
The Truth
What you see can be real or fake. You never know what’s really going on in a person’s life. One wrong comment, one wrong action, can ruin someone’s reputation. According to statistics on 373 websites, such as the United Nations Development Program’s Web, said about 31% of deaths was suicide related. In Japan, most suicides were because of things said on the internet and social media apps. In South Korea, most deaths were also suicide because of cyber bullying and rude videos on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
Why It’s Not Good on Body Image
In one article called ‘Social Media and Suicide: A Public Health Perspective’, it says, “…social media is filled with people presenting themselves…their best light…difficult to avoid images and messages that might make you think negatively about your body…” This proves that people can be rude and can make you feel down. It can definitely ruin your mental image of yourself and make you have a lower self esteem. In the same article, it states that if you are someone who scrolls through social media with a for you page of appearances, it is more likely that you’ll feel less positive about yourself and your looks.
Can You Stop Social Media From Making You Self Conscious About Your Looks or Appearance?
Yes, in fact, you can! All it takes is one strong-minded person like yourself or someone around you to tell you that you are amazing the way you are. If you can’t do that, or feel like people around you will tell you to suck it up, you can always talk to a trusted adult such as a parent/guardian, school counselor, or even your own teacher. People you trust, like a good friend or a teacher, can always make you feel better about yourself, especially when you need it.
The Origins of Social Media
Social media wasn’t always this way. It used to be a place for people to connect with each other without being rude or unkind. Many people think social media always came with cyber bullying or luring, but it was much more than that.
Social media used to be fun for all ages and some will stay that way, like YouTube made a YouTube Kids for people who were still toddlers or still in elementary school. It used to be a place where you could reach out to friends and family that you didn’t get to see often. It was a place to share pictures and life. It was a place to express yourself and watch for trends.
People still use social media in many different ways, whether it’s positively or negatively, they still use social media apps to show off their lives and achievements. But sadly, it’s not always used in such a positive manner.