Social media. Everyone uses it, in some form or another. When the words social media are spoken, many teenagers minds immediately jump to Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, among many others. And although many kids, teenagers, and even adults possess accounts, they are all used for different reasons. For adults, they use social media to keep in touch with relatives, friends, news, and the like. For teenagers, it's an entirely different story.
Teenagers use social media for a numerous amount of reasons. Whether it's to get constant updates on celebrities, post pictures/videos, or to keep in contact with friends from across the world, social media is beneficial. So, even though social media is seen as positive in many people's eyes, why are so many teenagers insecure as a result?
To me, the answer is simple and complex at the same time. I have an Instagram account, and there have been so many instances where I will scroll through my news feed only to find numerous pictures that teenagers post of them with friends at a party, or kissing their boyfriend/girlfriend. Posting such pictures is completely fine to me, as the owners of the accounts can do whatever they want, but I feel like that is one of the main reasons as to why so many teenagers are insecure. Because so many teens use social media sites like Instagram they are exposed to relationships and outings that they wished they could attend. Many teens are kept updated on what others at their school are doing on the weekends, and when they see pictures or videos of their peers at parties they themselves weren't invited to, they begin asking themselves why they weren't invited to be a part of whatever was going on.
However, because so many teens become insecure just by scrolling through their news feed, they instead attempt to turn their insecurity into positivity. If a teen is worried about their physical appearance, they upload a flattering photo of them onto Facebook or Twitter and become more secure as they gain more likes on that specific photo. Or if someone is bothered by a small imperfection, they can click a few buttons and change their online appearance. Rachel Simmons, an author and blogger, stated that "A girl's social networking profile is a persona she constructs, a photoshopped billboard. It offers a salve for the anxiety so many girls feel about relationships, providing the answers to burning social questions like, What do other people think of me? Do people like me? Am I normal? Am I popular? Am I cool?" This quote stood out to me, as so many teenagers are so insecure with themselves they will often exaggerate who they really are on their social media pages, only posting the highest quality pictures and videos they believe will gain them the most friends, followers, likes, etc.
Being insecure because of what other people post on social media shouldn't be what holds someone back. You shouldn't obsess over someone's account and base yours off of theirs because you feel you are inferior to them. Everyone uses social media for different reasons, and those reasons create the great diversity in accounts we see today. If everyone posted the same types of photos and videos, social media would be a bit of a drag, but because that is not true, that is what makes social media so addicting. Everyone's account is unique; no one should be judging themselves harshly because of one photo someone else posted on their account. Everyone is beautiful in their own way, and allowing yourself to become insecure because you believe your beauty, physical appearance, etc. doesn't match up to someone else's is insane. Bringing yourself down because of what someone else posts on social media is not okay; you are unique from everyone else and don't let you convince yourself otherwise.
Teenagers use social media for a numerous amount of reasons. Whether it's to get constant updates on celebrities, post pictures/videos, or to keep in contact with friends from across the world, social media is beneficial. So, even though social media is seen as positive in many people's eyes, why are so many teenagers insecure as a result?
To me, the answer is simple and complex at the same time. I have an Instagram account, and there have been so many instances where I will scroll through my news feed only to find numerous pictures that teenagers post of them with friends at a party, or kissing their boyfriend/girlfriend. Posting such pictures is completely fine to me, as the owners of the accounts can do whatever they want, but I feel like that is one of the main reasons as to why so many teenagers are insecure. Because so many teens use social media sites like Instagram they are exposed to relationships and outings that they wished they could attend. Many teens are kept updated on what others at their school are doing on the weekends, and when they see pictures or videos of their peers at parties they themselves weren't invited to, they begin asking themselves why they weren't invited to be a part of whatever was going on.
However, because so many teens become insecure just by scrolling through their news feed, they instead attempt to turn their insecurity into positivity. If a teen is worried about their physical appearance, they upload a flattering photo of them onto Facebook or Twitter and become more secure as they gain more likes on that specific photo. Or if someone is bothered by a small imperfection, they can click a few buttons and change their online appearance. Rachel Simmons, an author and blogger, stated that "A girl's social networking profile is a persona she constructs, a photoshopped billboard. It offers a salve for the anxiety so many girls feel about relationships, providing the answers to burning social questions like, What do other people think of me? Do people like me? Am I normal? Am I popular? Am I cool?" This quote stood out to me, as so many teenagers are so insecure with themselves they will often exaggerate who they really are on their social media pages, only posting the highest quality pictures and videos they believe will gain them the most friends, followers, likes, etc.
Being insecure because of what other people post on social media shouldn't be what holds someone back. You shouldn't obsess over someone's account and base yours off of theirs because you feel you are inferior to them. Everyone uses social media for different reasons, and those reasons create the great diversity in accounts we see today. If everyone posted the same types of photos and videos, social media would be a bit of a drag, but because that is not true, that is what makes social media so addicting. Everyone's account is unique; no one should be judging themselves harshly because of one photo someone else posted on their account. Everyone is beautiful in their own way, and allowing yourself to become insecure because you believe your beauty, physical appearance, etc. doesn't match up to someone else's is insane. Bringing yourself down because of what someone else posts on social media is not okay; you are unique from everyone else and don't let you convince yourself otherwise.