Self-deception via social media
Everyone has their own insecurities. It is in human nature to protect ourselves from these insecurities. Of course, there is an abundance of ways to cope with and overcome these issues, but there is one that has become extremely prominent in our society today: using social media.
Social media provides the individual the opportunity to display to the world who he or she is. Some are completely transparent and what you see on his or her profile is what you get in real life. Others, however, exploit social media as a means to build up a false profile and ultimately a false representation of him or herself.
Kunaal Singh, 17, MICDS Student
How social media is a form of protection
Scroll down
what role does social media play?
.
.
.
The idea of denial plays a huge role in individuals' self-deception on social media. Again, it goes back to Freud's ego defense mechanisms: individuals will do any they can to shield themselves from harmful or stressful situations. Denial is protection: it is "an unconscious psychological defense mechanism designed to ward off unacceptable or inconvenient truths" (Diamond).
"How can self-deception be used as a means of boosting feelings of self-worth and esteem?"
On social media, individuals often deny their weaknesses, and it is a tactic that contributes to helping "ward off unpleasant feelings (i.e. anxiety) or make good things feel better for the individual" (McLeod). In the end, individuals use social media as a tool to mask their true identity. It is effective becase this false reality not only is easy to hide behind, but it is put on display for every person associated with you on social media. The aim is to eliminate any flaws you have by selecting for your positive aspets. It is denial of his or her true self. The result of this is an untrue perception of the individual, which can boost self-confidence, but at the same time it masks the true identity of the individual.