Ragikaran 1
Rayshna Ragikaran
Mrs. Matthews-Altieri
ENG4UE91A
14 July. 2023
The True Danger That Lies Within Social Media
Social media continues to have a pervading effect on the modern day, resulting in a
destructive and invasive impact on various aspects of society. These digital community continues
to have a negative impact on users by promoting comparisons, furthering addictive behaviors,
and is a home to spread misinformation. Whether it be Tik Tok, Instagram, or Snapchat, these
platforms have become an integral part of our lives, giving us access to the world through the
swipe of a finger, but the allure that comes with social media results in a downfall of the users,
one way or another.
Social media continuously exposes users to a perfect life idea, leading to detrimental
impacts on mental health and self-esteem. Platforms like Instagram are meant to showcase the
ideal lifestyle, showing luxury, beauty, and adventures. As we scroll through and see these posts,
we see what is considered “the dream life”, but in all honesty, it is an unrealistic standard that
results in the worsening of our own well-being. For instance, when an inaccurate body image is
consumed by a younger audience, the effect can change how users think of themself, “Social
media continuously exposes users to an ideal lifestyle, leading to detrimental impacts on mental
health and self-esteem” (Pedersen). It is crucial that the deceitfulness within social media is to be
recognized but also addressed. Nothing on these platforms is truthful. Whether someone is
sharing joy, sadness, or excitement, it is staged, all to show an image online, to keep their real
life hidden away.
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Double tap, scroll, double tap, scroll - a continuous pattern that has become a
representation of modern society. Many social media platforms have carefully crafted these
actions to be of an addictive nature, promoting a never-ending cycle. The release of dopamine
when liking a photo or video, it makes one feel acknowledged, a part of a community. But this
feeling does not last long. These actions begin to take over one’s life, affecting their home and
work, “studies have shown that 77% of employees use social media while on the clock, many of
them for up to several hours a day” (Woolley & Sharif). In many cases, social media has ruined
lives. People live their lives as a zombie and do not realize how these behaviours are destroying
relationships around them.
The spread of misinformation in today’s world can be explained by the constant
unreliable sources gaining popularity that is spread through digital communication. When
information travels across the internet, it becomes difficult to tell what truly fact is, or fiction.
The algorithm that helps social media flow relies on the popularity and interaction; this is where
misleading information can get a boost. But this is exactly what these platforms want, an outrage,
resulting in the software being used more, “Information Overload Helps Fake News Spread, and
Social Media Knows It” (Menczer & Hills). Information makes the world spin, there needs to be
a difference in opinion, always, and social medias use this to manipulate its users.
The allure of social media has led much of society, including me, to indulge within its
temptations. Everything is healthy only if it is moderated. Collectively, we should be able to
recognize how much we immerse ourselves in this digital lifestyle and confront these flaws.
Whether it be the unattainable standards, addictive behaviours or untrue information, social
media continues to have multiple defects that give us a chance to realize the inaccuracy within
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this realm of internet. Social media will only continue to grow as the world progresses, but there
still needs to be a line that is drawn between reality and fantasy.
Work Cited
Menczer, Filippo, and Thomas Hills. “Information Overload Helps Fake News Spread, and
Social Media Knows It.” Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2020,
www.scientificamerican.com/article/information-overload-helps-fake-news-spread-andsocial-media-knows-it/.
Pedersen, Traci. “Social Media and Body Image: What’s the Link?” Psych Central, 27 Feb.
2023, psychcentral.com/health/how-the-media-affects-body-image.
Woolley , Kaitlin, and Marissa A. Sharif. “The Psychology of Your Scrolling Addiction.”
Harvard Business Review, 3 Feb. 2022, hbr.org/2022/01/the-psychology-of-your-scrollingaddiction.