Identity in a digital age

In today's modern world, overflowing with technology, people's identities often seem belittled and undervalued because of the fake images many portray online.

On the internet, it's easy to lose our sense of self, especially on social media. Many people act differently there, doing things just to be liked or accepted. They post photos or content they wouldn't normally share in real life (because that's not them!) because they're trying to appeal to friends, family, or even strangers whose approval they crave.

Social media should be a tool for communication and entertainment -but instead, it has become a serious threat to mental health, particularly among young people. A recent longitudinal study following over 4000 adolescents over four years found that those displaying addictive behaviors towards screens, especially social media and mobile phones, were two to three times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and emotional problems than their peers -even when overall screen time was comparable.

Another heartbreaking example is the 14-year-old British girl Molly Russel, whose inquest reveals that she had consumed more than 2100 distressing images related to self-harm, depression, or suicide on Instagram six months before her death. The coroner concluded that her suicide was triggered by a combination of depression and the harmful content she viewed online.

These tragic instances underscore how social media can erode our true identities -transforming them into something skewed and frightening. I know that feelings because I've lived it: constantly measuring myself against what I see online and wondering, "Who am I? I'm not that perfect person in the photo.. I'm not what I want to be." This endless comparison is deeply frustrating and destabilizing.

Having gone through this, I believe we should strive to not let social media define our self-worth. But I understand it's not simple. I once heard that a helpful first step is to talk to yourself in the mirror until the affirmations sink in: "You're enough", "You don't need to change to be perfect", "It's okay to be exactly who you are".

Ultimately, the most powerful "like" you can receive is the one you give yourself.

Written by: Valentina Arreaga