By Isabel Kim
Staff Writer
Polka dots, clean girls, how to glow up, labubus, bows etc. The list goes on about what social media apps like Tiktok and Instagram want users to consume.
Though these trends and aesthetics may seem harmless at first, when viewed from a broader perspective, it becomes clear that social media now plays a significant role in defining who teens are. Whether it’s in the way they dress or even as deep as their personality, social media’s power to influence people’s lives is increasingly becoming a bigger and more relevant problem.
By constantly feeding new ideas into people’s minds, they lose the ability to actually think for themselves. This is especially significant because when individuals are unable to create their own ideas or think artistically without the help of social media, none of their actions or creative expressions are actually authentic. All of these thoughts are only a product of what they consume, not a representation of who they are.
Nowadays, people chase what’s trending or popular, focusing on how they are perceived, even if that means demonstrating a fake persona. This human need for acceptance can prevent individuals from exploring their real and raw interests, instead molding themselves to fit societal expectations. As social media continues to grow in influence, individuality—especially among young people—will begin to disappear.
Some teens also idolize certain creators, placing them on pedestals as someone they aspire to be. This is not only harmful but misleading. These creators and influencers only show snippets of their lives.While their content may seem glamorous and aspirational, it represents only a fraction of their reality This leads to even more issues with questions of “Is this even attainable or possible?” concerning body image and facial procedures disguised as “lots of diet and skincare!”
The multitude of lies social media is built upon blurs the lines between real and fake to the point where individuals lose themselves between who they are online and who they are in person. The constant input of others depicting who individuals should be leaves no room for original and genuine thought. For example, instead of choosing their own outfits, people look to social media for inspiration. While inspiration is the stem of all creative endeavors, when does it start becoming a replication rather than a starting influence?
Though social media poses numerous benefits for small businesses and underrepresented voices, is the cost of creative expression worth its existence?
“Although social media is a useful tool, I personally try to consume as little as possible because it’s designed to get you addicted”, says Brent Estabrook, a renowned creative and artist.
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