#weeks1to3

Facebook? Instagram? Snapchat? Tinder? Are you on any of these platforms? What do they say about you? Are you glamorous? Are you cat obsessed (guilty!)? Do you like nature or, are you an amateur chef? It is said that we can learn a lot about people from their social media accounts but, is this a true reflection of an individual or a carefully constructed online ego created to appear fun, fabulous and carefree?   Wilken & McCosker suggest that we are constantly managing what kinds of photos, videos, statuses and, ultimately, aspects of ourselves we allow to be visible to the public eye through our various social media platforms (2014 Pg. 292). Just this week, a popular Australian Youth Radio program, Hack on Triple J, explored and exposed techniques and tricks to enable users on the social media platform, Tinder, to be more successful in their online dating endeavours (2016). But, is this fair to the unsuspecting victims who fall for the tips and tricks suggested to enable your online success? Comments such as “Don’t post fishing photos, ok we get it you can catch a fish!” or “Stupid face photos, don't you know how to smile or is there something wrong with your teeth!?” are harsh and suggest that you should hide that element of your personality from the online world but, is that really benefitting you in the end?

(Photo: John Atkinson, Wrong Hands) Siapera builds on this theory of ‘customising’ who you are online as well as identifying that as a society, portability has enabled us to always be online and that as this changes we are losing human contact (2012 Pp. 193-199). In a TEDtalk, Sherry Tuckle states that "We are designing technologies that will give us the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship" and makes a point that our social media platforms, whilst never really allowing us to be alone, often lead to loneliness (2013) but what does that mean to us? Have you ever felt the crippling blow when that witty status update or carefully filtered and edited photo doesn’t get as many likes as you had hoped? Does that mean people don’t like you? In a study by The University of Pittsburgh it was discovered that little activity on an individuals social media platform can make them feel like they are wasting time in addition to feeling inadequate compared to their peers who are perceived to have happy, more successful lives (2016). This builds on other studies which have linked heavy social media usage with depression and has further supported the coined term “social comparison” which has become a psychological phenomenon. Forums on one of Australia’s leading mental health websites, BeyondBlue, have users condemning social media as aiding and abetting their mental health issues with several users noting that it greatly affects them. If our online presence is affecting our physical presence, then why are we still so focused on remaining online?

While social media platforms are great to catch up with long lost friends, share anecdotal tales of the day that’s been had, or enable you to communicate with loved ones half a world away, the underlying concerns of isolation, depression and the inability to fully accept and express ones self raises the question about whether or not our society is evolving or devolving with its introduction. As a social media user myself, I know the perils of editing out that controversial statement, or untagging that ghastly photograph someone uploaded from the weekend; what does that say about me and my online presence? I guess that’s up to you to decide. NOTE: If you are feeling depressed or anxious about your online presence, please contact BeyondBlue by clicking here or calling them on 1300 224 636. ______________________________________________________________________ BeyondBlue 2016, https://www.beyondblue.org.au/, viewed 3rd December 2016