Fragmented Identities

Technology has inevitably become a part of our everyday lives, resulting in the brainwashing of the social media on the generation of today. From celebrities utilising social media for their own popular gain, some may be unintentionally posting photos that may be perceived as ‘ideal’ or ‘perfect’ in relation to the supposed female and male body expectations which, in turn result in the beginning of social media anxieties.

Teenagers are most exposed to this anxiety as they are the first generation to have grown up with advanced technology such as iPhones and iPads, and are usually the targeted niche group. The role of the media is taken advantage of to promote social well being and the ideal lifestyle, however this can pertain feelings of jealousy and desire on the opposite end of the ‘screens’. Young adults and teenagers may feel a growing expectation to live up to because their ‘idols’ did this and did that and shared it with their followers on their social media, influencing their fans to make themselves as a carbon copy.

With the media continuously growing, celebrities and the people exposed to social media are given the chance to grab the attention of their followers by succumbing to non-appropriate ‘challenges’ for the public to have a crack at themselves. Some examples include the risk of hospitalisation such as the ‘cinnamon challenge’, and some that are promoted to ‘increase’ self-esteem in the ‘don’t judge me challenge’ as well as the infamous ‘Kylie Jenner lip challenge’. Whilst these challenges may seem ‘fun’, they are a potential in becoming harmful both physically and emotionally as well as socially. Teens are easily influenced and begin to post videos of themselves partaking in these challenges to further their social reputation and to ‘fit in’ with the popular kids.

The anxiety of appearances are imminent throughout social media and become an everyday struggle for people who may not feel good about their face value and do not feel comfortable in their own skin.Media anxieties nowadays is solely based on the image portrayed of ourselves to our contacts and followers on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The amount of likes on a photo becomes a determining factor when dealing with an individual’s self value and attraction to their own peers.

Determining the ultimate desire from reality is a difficult task in itself due to the oblivious behaviour we as humans use in the way we interact with each other. We discuss our latest discoveries or desires and share that information with peers to form through word-of-mouth, showcasing our influence of the media to surface in our personal lives.

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