Social media platforms have evolved beyond mere entertainment or news exchanges; they have transformed into vast stages where individuals showcase the idealized aspects of their lives, including vacations, achievements, and constant smiles. However, behind these bright images lie pressing questions: How accurately do these scenes reflect reality? And what impact do they have on the mental health of millions of followers?
Experts have pointed out that excessive engagement with influencers and idealized life accounts creates a persistent feeling of comparison among many individuals. This can lead to a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with one’s own life. While followers perceive others as living in luxury and happiness, this can exacerbate feelings of deprivation or failure.
They emphasize the need for community awareness, especially among children, youth, and adolescents. They propose six strategies to mitigate the psychological, social, and educational effects on this demographic: enhancing the role of schools and universities, strengthening family involvement, promoting a culture of balance between the virtual and real worlds, highlighting inspiring real-life stories, fostering digital and media literacy, and encouraging critical thinking.
Comparisons
Dr. Lina Amiri, a child and adolescent psychologist based in Dubai, describes the “illusory happiness” portrayed on social media as a false sensation stemming from comparing one’s life with the perfect images frequently shared by others. The short-term dopamine rewards from likes and comments can lead to feelings of disappointment and isolation. Followers may only see the bright and superficial sides of others’ lives, leading them to believe they are the only ones struggling.
Amiri warns that ongoing comparisons between their lives and the illusory happiness they see online can contribute to anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, particularly among adolescents, as they constantly strive for perfection due to these comparisons.
The Role of Universities
Dr. Meeno Matthew, an associate professor of psychology at Heriot-Watt University in Dubai, states that the proliferation of social media has significantly influenced how young people interact. She highlights universities’ role in informing students about the importance of regulating their social media use and the dangers of comparing themselves to influencers.
She adds that students are exposed daily to countless posts showcasing wealth, beauty, and ideal lifestyles, most of which are unrealistic and designed to attract likes and followers. Users typically share only happy and special moments, often excessively polished, rarely revealing ordinary or challenging times. This selective sharing creates a misleading impression that others lead flawless lives.
Matthew asserts that this constant exposure to illusions can evoke feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and anxiety, negatively affecting not only academic performance but also self-esteem and confidence. Research published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology has shown that negative use of social media often leads to unfavorable self-comparisons and decreased satisfaction with personal life.
Digital Well-being
She emphasizes the crucial role of universities and schools in addressing the issue of digital well-being through workshops and class discussions that equip students with media literacy skills. They should learn critical thinking regarding online content and its effect on self-perception, along with receiving counseling services and encouragement to participate in community activities like sports, performing arts, and crafts.
Teacher Eman Hussein points out that images and videos are often fabricated or carefully curated, making them far removed from reality. She believes that the solution lies in increasing digital awareness among students, teaching future generations how to engage responsibly with content.
Teacher Alaa Hassan sees social media as a neutral tool; its usefulness depends on how it is utilized, which determines whether it will be a bridge for positive communication or a gateway to frustration and psychological pressure. She emphasizes that “digital happiness” should be regarded merely as a filtered image and encourages focusing on creating real happiness in everyday life.
Social Pressures
Regarding the social implications of this phenomenon, Dr. Jassim Al-Marzouqi, a consultant in psychological and family therapy, outlines six negative impacts arising from illusory happiness: negative social comparisons, diminished real communication, increased psychological stress, loss of privacy, disruption of societal values, and heightened isolation and loneliness.
He explains that the prevalence of images and videos showcasing idealized or even fantastical lifestyles compels viewers to compare them with their own lives, causing dissatisfaction, even when they are living normally. The focus on projecting a “happy” image in the virtual world has increased online interactions at the expense of real-life relationships, resulting in individuals experiencing what is termed “social pressure,” leading them to feign happiness continuously, consequently causing psychological strain and anxiety among many followers.
Al-Marzouqi notes that social media has stripped many homes and relationships of their privacy, fostering a culture that idolizes appearances over substance. Users now often equate happiness with the number of likes and followers, which poses a significant risk as younger generations believe their worth is tied to others’ opinions.
Race for Luxury
The repercussions of fabricated happiness on social media extend beyond individuals; they also impact families. Many parents feel pressured as their children, who follow these accounts, constantly wish to emulate virtual lifestyles and have become unwitting victims of the race for luxury.
Samir Abdullah, a mother of three, has observed a decline in her daughter’s self-esteem as she compares her life daily to those of “influencers” on Instagram, to the point of refusing to take a photo without filters or edits. Meanwhile, Mohammed Fawzi mentions that his teenage son endures constant pressure, feeling that his life lacks value compared to peers who showcase luxurious experiences on social media, leading him to believe success is measured by follower count rather than genuine effort.
Grandfather Nasser Akram expresses sorrow that family gatherings have lost their warmth as children and grandchildren become preoccupied with capturing pictures and embellishing moments instead of enjoying the experience itself.
Student Noor Mohammed shares that at times, he feels his life is dull in comparison to what he sees on Instagram, where others seem to be traveling and enjoying luxurious outings, which leaves him feeling defeated and that he has nothing to share on his profiles.
Conversely, Youssef Abdel Fattah believes that happiness on social media is merely an illusion, asserting that reality is vastly different. He has discovered that the life of one influencer he knows personally is quite ordinary and differs significantly from their online portrayal.