In the world we inhabit today, ‘likes and follows’ serve as currency, hashtags define identity, and selfies reflect who you are. In the world of social media profiles, customized to represent our best online personas, people constantly compare their lives and bodies to others online, often idealizing filtered versions of reality.

While the benefits of an online world—from banking to remote jobs and easy communication - are many, this online living has also led to several problems.

A surge in body dissatisfaction, body dysmorphia and distorted self-image, especially among teenagers and young adults is one of the most striking vices of social media. The beauty industry has capitalized on these insecurities, thriving on unrealistic beauty standards promoted by influencers and trends. According to  several studies, teenage and young adult users who spend the most time on Instagram, Facebook and other platforms were shown to have a 13% to 66% higher rate of reported depression than those who spent less time. This is the age of memes and influencers, hashtags, and viral challenges.

Social Media Mirror: Reality vs. Facade

Is social media just a tool? When does our reflection in the digital mirror become more real than our true selves? Take Instagram filters: are they merely promoting clear skin and wrinkle-free faces, or do they mask and enhance our insecurities, polishing away ‘defects’ and blurring the lines between reality and desire?

Widespread conversations around these procedures, particularly by celebrities and influencers, have made access to and discussions around cosmetic interventions more common, reinforcing filtered ideals as real and desirable.

Shaping Sense of Self

Data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reveals that in 2020, there was a 54% increase in non-surgical procedures like botox and dermal fillers. The demand for procedures such as liposuction and rhinoplasty also surged by 10–15% post-2020. The global cosmetic surgery market is projected to grow by 7.8% annually, reaching over $70 billion by 2025, according to a report by Grand View Research.(American Society of Plastic Surgeons,2023) 

As social media blurs the line between authenticity and digital manipulation, it increasingly shapes people’s sense of self through unattainable beauty standards, driving demand for cosmetic enhancements.

If you have ever felt the dopamine rush from a like or comment, or have scrolled past your bedtime, you are one of the millions entrenched in this system. According to recent studies, the average person spends two hours and 24 minutes on social media daily. Each interaction—whether it’s a curated ad, a filtered photo, or even a friend’s post becomes material that subtly shapes how we see ourselves and the world around us.

Humans are inherently social animals who need interaction for survival and development. Not only do we rely on one another for growth, but we are also hardwired to care about what others think of us. It is this deep need for connection and interdependence that drives social media platforms, pulling over 60 percent of the world’s population online. According to Datareportal, a ‘typical’ internet user spends almost 2.5 hours each day using social media platforms (Kemp, 2024). These apps keep us hooked with daily streaks, constant notifications, and sensationalised news feeds. This online space not only allows us to know each other better, it also shapes how we perceive those around us—and even ourselves—based on curated feeds and profiles. We are constantly made privy to life updates and picture-perfect moments from people we may or may not personally know. In this digital age, is it really about connecting or just constructing? 

We naturally compare ourselves to others—a process called social comparison—which can be harmful to our self-esteem, often leading to anxiety, self-doubt, and in extreme cases, eating disorders like anorexia. We begin to chase unattainable perfection, blurring the line between real and fake. Over time, this constant comparison can distort our self-image and create a toxic cycle of dissatisfaction. We start believing that our worth depends on how we look or how many likes we get. The pressure to appear flawless online makes many feel inadequate in their real lives, impacting mental health and leading to feelings of isolation and low confidence. What we often forget is that social media is a highlight reel not a true reflection of everyday life.

Algorithms Determine Who Sees What

But it's not just our individual identities that are shaped, social media also redefines how we interact as groups. Algorithms determine who sees what, creating social networks where people with similar views reinforce each other's arguments while disregarding and discrediting opposing viewpoints. They constantly work in the background customizing our feed based on our browsing habits and interactions. They present content tailored to our interests, enclosing us in informational bubbles that either shield us from opposing ideas or expose us to new ones.  This algorithmic curation shapes our identities by influencing not only what we see but also how we understand the world and our place in it.

These same algorithms suggest content to us based on what we already engage with, leading to confirmation biases that often misinform us and keep other opinions at bay. While it allows communities to flourish— from fan bases to political groups, it also gives rise to cyberbullying, trolling, and cancel culture. Behind the safety of screens, people often say things they wouldn't dare to in real life, emboldened by anonymity and a lack of accountability. Algorithms amplify this by creating echo chambers, digital spaces where users are mostly exposed to opinions they already agree with. This reinforces beliefs, fuels outrage, and diminishes open dialogue. In such environments, misinformation and fake news spread rapidly. Often going unchecked. 

Social media doesn’t just reflect rage, it intensifies it, turning disagreements into public battles. Cancel culture, in particular, has made it easy to dismiss individuals without context, creating a climate where people are convinced their opinion is the only right one. The line between healthy debate and online aggression has almost vanished.

Altering Sense of Self

Social media has reshaped our identities, allowing us to craft virtual selves that combine ambition and reality. It amplifies group dynamics, creating feedback loops and virtual communities that redefine conventional notions of individuality and social belonging. In this digital age, where our identities are as curated as our feeds, we must carefully tread the fine line between genuine connection and the illusion of connection.

Through the cultivation of a deliberately crafted online identity based on online interactions and the amplification of external validation, technology affects our personalities and frequently alters our sense of self. Social media brings with it a host of challenges which we must learn to navigate, along with opportunities for human growth and development. It is up to us to analyse and explore the impact of this powerful tool as it becomes a significant part of our lives.

Reference List

American Society of Plastic Surgeons (2023) American Society of Plastic Surgeons reveals 2022’s most sought-after procedures, American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Available at: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/american-society-of-plastic-surgeons-reveals-2022s-most-sought-after-procedures (Accessed: 13 August 2025)

Kemp, Simon. “The Time We Spend on Social Media - Datareportal – Global Digital Insights.” DataReportal, DataReportal – Global Digital Insights, 23 Mar. 2025, datareportal.com/reports/digital-2024-deep-dive-the-time-we-spend-on-social-media#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9Ctypical%E2%80%9D%20internet%20user%20spends,of%20total%20social%20media%20time.

(The writer  is a Grade 12 student at Step by Step School, Noida, India. With a strong interest in psychology, she is fascinated by how human thoughts and behaviors are shaped in today’s world.     Views expressed are personal. She can be reached at amaira.sabherwall@gmail.com and Amaira Sabherwall on Linkedin. )