The Underbelly of Social Media

We have weaponized social media to gain instant visibility, with posts that stir common thinking or express a perspective that's controversial, provocative, or both.

- ANIL NAIR Founder, ThinkStreet

Social media has evolved into a vehicle for bold views and bolder reactions, spurred by the cloak of anonymity it provides on the one hand, and the exponential reverberation it creates on the other.

People who wish to stay connected with personal and professional friends and acquaintances, or those wishing to build a network to support their progress, use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn extensively. Another trigger for staying connected 24/7 is the fear of missing out (FOMO)—on news, social events, or online trends.

To preserve the image the social media enthusiast wants to propagate, the storyline could be fictitious, the pictures could be edited, and the narrative could be fake. And it isn't without deleterious side effects. Whatever your motive when you publicize events in your life, like a picture from a colorful holiday abroad, greeting a celebrity, or eating at an exotic restaurant, it's like one-upmanship. In a sense, you're competing in a race to celebrityhood, and that could induce a variety of reactions. Maybe a dismissive sneer in a few who have been there, done that, no reactions at all, or threatening behavior from some hiding behind online anonymity. Like cyberbullies who could cause psychological damage over time—or self-harm in the case of the excessively vulnerable.

Knowingly or unknowingly, posts consumed could evoke feelings of inadequacy even in passive participants—more so when the mind decides that the other person is undeservedly wearing better clothes, driving a better car, or living in a better house.

When the medium itself exacerbates anxiety and addiction, excessive screen time and irregular sleep patterns could become a way of life too, affecting the fulfillment of relationships and responsibilities.