SOCIAL MEDIA ______________ SELF WORTH

SOCIAL MEDIA

______________

SELF WORTH

We all know that one friend. Who seems to have it all, on social media of course. Millions of friends, so many likes it seems fake, the perfect face and body and photos that make you green with envy. And why can’t we have a dog that cute! Social media is a constant measure; of how many likes, friends, re-tweets, notifications, messages we have. And it leaves us wondering, what sort of an effect is this having on our self-esteem? So does this whole process of social media change the way we view ourselves?

Statistically speaking, yes. Social media is one of the main causes of suicide due to cyberbullying and comparison. The 2011 US National Crime Victimization Survey represented the entire 9th to 12th grade student population. Around 2.2 million students experienced cyberbullying in this year! 2.2 million. These results would only have increased over the years. In 2009 6.2% reported cyberbullying compared to 9% in 2011. So through the use of social media we are told we are not pretty enough, smart enough, whatever it is we are told we don’t live up to the standard. Last year the University of Salford did a study on social media’s effects on self-esteem and anxiety and reported that 50% out of their 289 participants said that their usage of social media websites make their lives worse! They said this is because they are constantly comparing themselves to their online friends. Although this has always been a problem regardless of social media it only deepens because social media is the perfect platform to display everything positive in your life and make others jealous. There is also no escape from social media, if you carry a phone or device it is a constant reminder following you everywhere. So far social media is making people feel worse about themselves and lowering their ideas of self-perception and worth.

However social media isn’t only making people feel crap about themselves. In fact from a study by the University of Pittsburgh and the Columbia Business school they discovered that people who merely focused on their close friends on social media experienced an increase in self esteem. So positive comments and feedback from your close friends really does boost self esteem and make you feel better about yourself.

Validation is a huge part of the reason social media is so successful. And though validation is always seen as a negative thing sometimes it can be nice in the short term - especially when aware of it. However relying completely on validation from others to hold up your happiness will never leave you completely happy. A girl I know recently confided in me that every single photo she has posted to Instagram has been touched up. Whether it’s a flattering filter or a quick pimple blur or whiten of the teeth - we’re all guilty.  And the reason we are constantly worried about the way we appear on social media is because we seek validation. Dr Phillippa Diedrichs, senior researcher at the University of West of England's Centre for Appearance, states that research backs up the link between social media and body image concerns.

Not only is social media extremely persuasive but it is also considered a norm in our world today and expected for many business employees and to contact people.

Overall, from our global research and local qualitative interviews we have found out a lot more about the impacts social media have on people's self perception and gained more insight into the way social media works with all different ages and genders.

A PROJECT BY JOSEPHINE RIPLEY, GEORGIE MERRY AND FRANKIE MATTHEWS.