The Sheer Potency Of The Perils Embedded Within Social Media

Social Revolution

Social networking involves the act of broadening one’s professional or personal network by establishing connections with other individuals. Social networking has revolutionized the lives of the people. People have taken to different social media platforms and spend lots of time on social networking platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Advancements in Media And Technology

Advancements in media and technological innovations have given birth to social media. Social media involves the usage of the internet for various purposes, and the use of social media is beyond our control. The purpose can be gaining information/knowledge or communicating with the world. We have the world’s few most prominent social networks as the most popular source of interaction among the people of Pakistan nowadays.

The Curse of Stalking

Doing absolutely nothing but stalking on Social Media whether its the ex or whosoever has severe psychological impacts on the minds, and it makes people paranoid. Moreover, everyone tries to show off on Social Media as if they are living the best life, so on these platforms, people try to show the best of themselves, resulting in a loss of their actual personality. They imitate each other to be a part of the rat race; they pretend to be someone else and are losing their identities. They try to gain some social support and engage themselves in impression-building. Due to their usage, the prevalence of presenting an idealized version of ourselves, as opposed to our authentic selves, has increased on social media platforms.

Social Networking Getting On Nerves Phenomenon

These social networks enable people to interact with each other, but it also has many other consequences. Because of technological advancements, people can access these Social Networks very conveniently through the different electronic gadgets they own. They may use them while traveling, at work, school, or college. This kind of Social Networking is getting on the nerves of every Pakistani, especially the young generation, who is becoming addicted to it as they use it 24/7. People upload pictures, videos, current locations, and almost anything and everything. The usage and power of Social Media is increasing day by day. However, it has become necessary for everyone to use it, even in Pakistan, to become socially acceptable and a part of society.

The Quest for Social Acceptance

Everyone, just to become socially acceptable and gain social support, uses Social Media as everyone fears being left socially isolated. But this social acceptance has its meaning and ways. We involuntarily, yet inevitably, leverage the occurrences in other people’s lives to provide context and significance to our own experiences. This type of social acceptance is a deterioration of social norms and ethical values to some extent, as it is also the cause of social comparison. People are becoming brand-conscious and materialistic because of the pressure they bear due to social comparison.

Never-Ending Display Of Abilities And Accomplishments

The perception of others is not always necessarily correct, especially when others are showing off. At the same time, it causes wrong perception, and the consequences include but are not limited to inducing an inferiority complex. The never-ending display of abilities or accomplishments on Social Media is just another cause of social frustration. People on Social Media upload their photos while sitting at the most expensive hotels, restaurants, or places to visit. If there is an opening of an international food chain in Pakistan, the young generation especially goes there to take pictures and upload them on Social Media to prove themselves outgoing.

The ‘influencer culture’

People are always trying to prove themselves to be one thing or the other, and this ‘influencer culture’ is letting that happen like never before. Pakistan is an underdeveloped country where people need access to basic needs. The gap between the haves and the haves-not's is increasing day by day in Pakistan. Those who are poor feel inferior when they see wealthy people living at their best. Rich people start living life with some superiority complex.

Selective Self-Presentation

We should ethically contribute something progressive to the country. Social Media affects people’s lives psychologically; it contributes to competition, frustration, inferiority/superiority complex, showing off, impression building, and selective self-promotion. Therefore, we owe it to collectively promoting healthy cultures for our mental well-being on Social Media. This sort of Computer-Mediated Communication has its consequences if we can bear it whether or not.