For example, have you ever faked a certain lifestyle on social media? This can include pretending to live more luxuriously than you do, happier, richer, having more fun, being more productive, photoshopped pictures, making yourself appear better looking than you really are... Have you ever done something solely just for an Instagram post? How far have you gone for social media and how far are you willing to go?
What satisfaction does it give you from doing so and why do you do it?
If you haven’t personally, do you suspect you know someone who has? Why do you think they do what they do?
I have portrayed my life as better on social media
I have not portrayed my life as better on social media
I do not have social media
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Update: What kind of things do YOU post on your social media?
Do you portray your life to be better on social media than it really is?
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Anonymous
(25-29)
+1 y
I haven't done anything like what you've listed, but I do mostly only share positive stuff on my social media, so my life to an outsider looking at my social media may seem better than what it really is, like all I have are great things going for me even though the truth is that I just don't share most of my problems on social media (maybe a remembrance post for a lost loved one/pet every once in awhile, but other than that I try to keep it mostly positive and am a pretty private person when it comes to my own personal problems).
I find that if you look at most people's social media, it's similar. While there definitely are people who air their dirty laundry on social media and see it as more of a personal diary than a public page (or at least public to your friends/followers), most people aren't going to share when they didn't get the job they interviewed for, lost their job due to decisions they made, caused animosity in a relationship of theirs, etc. Instead, they post about the job they got, their new car, new house, vacation, all of the best moments of their relationships, promotions, etc. They only post what they want others to see about them, so you're viewing a mostly positive picture and therefore most people's lives on social media look "perfect" compared to what they're really like.
I don't know that I know of anyone who goes to the extent of photoshopping or pretending their lives are more luxurious than they really are. Most just want to appear that their lives are going very well and that they're successful. There's also the opposite end of the spectrum, where people like to pretend they're victims and get sympathy and attention from others, so they try to act like they have the roughest life ever even though many of their problems are self-inflicted or could be easily solved if they'd put in the effort required. I do know of quite a few like that. It is just easier for them to feel sorry for themselves than it is to fix their life.
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Opinion Owner
+1 y
Update: I don't post much on social media anymore, but usually happy stuff like celebrating something good happening, pictures of my pets, etc. Sometimes I'll share pictures and videos of animals and quotes I like.
No, what you see is what you get from me: real life and online. I'm boring in real life, and online, lol
I never understood why people do that nonsense, especially photoshopping how you look! If someone online sees or meets you in real life and you don't look like your pictures online? You're screwed 😆
So why even bother? Just live your life, be yourself, and attract people that like you for you: it's not that difficult.
I have never faked my life on social media because I see no point in doing that. I am who I am. Why pretend to be someone else?
I also dislike people who do it unless they specifically mention in their profile that what you see in their photos has nothing to do with reality. In my opinion, keeping up appearances is extremely bad for our society as it applies pressure on most people to strive for such "perfect" life and since it is not attainable for the vast majority of people on the planet, many become very frustrated. Women begin to believe all men must have chiseled bodies and be rich, otherwise they are "no good". Men after seeing all the fake female beauty on the social meda, begin to view any woman who is not up to the fantasy standards, as "ugly" or "not worth my time". It also promotes extremely primitive desire to hoard material things more which is detrimental to humanity as a whole.
As for what I post on social media: I have a couple of very average-looking pictures, I do not share my life there. What I do is mainly share opinions and try to promote dialogue. In most cases it fails because people just scroll through everything without reading, put a "like" for the sake of being nice, and move on. It is really f*cked up.
I don't subscribe to most sites. I do have Facebook. I rarely post on it and mostly use it to keep track of events and birthdays of people I know who are on it. I don't respect people who are obsessed with it, and it's a MAJOR turnoff to see people use it in a fake way that you describe. In my experience the people who do that the most often are the mothers of young children who are constantly bragging and using their children in pictures about how great their life is. If they're enjoying it, that's great but I've put my own step sister on unfollow (not unfriend) because I'm sick of her bragging.
I've read that's why people find Facebook depressing, though; because it's just oneupsmanship. Everybody's looking at their friend's pages going "Oh wow, they have it made." But they're not going to be advertising that their gambling addiction got them 100k in debt, and even their dog flipped them off this morning.
If anything, in the past, I've had issues revealing too much of the bad side of my life. That was my addiction, not showing off, just bitching a lot. That's another type you find on social media. Jeeez, those guys are the worst.
I don't post anything on social media. Like I said, I read that study about how social media makes people depressed. I don't like being depressed. I prefer to stay in the real world as much as possible. I say that, yet I'm on here an increasing amount. Dunno what makes this site so addictive, but I plan to leave here too, as soon as I can. Won't have much of a choice next semester, so that would prolly help.
Anyway, were I to get on social media like FB, I'd post political memes, photos of friends and I doing random things, pics of my dog, funny things I see IRL, random thought-provoking ideas that come to me, maybe I'd be that guy who posts pics of his food when I cook, etc.
I've never faked anything, but I certainly only highlight the wins and enjoyment of luxuries. The mundane, boring things, and life losses don't get posted.
I suppose by ommitting any life losses or mundane things people may infer that my life is nothing but wins and luxury.
Flying first class, vacations at the Ritz, Marriott, and Four Seasons, skiing trips, mountain biking trips, fancy dinners, expensive wines, my wife shopping at LV, my Lexus and Infinity SUVs, etc.
Everyone does to a certain extent. People take photos of notable things and moments and that's what ends up being shared. They won't take a photo of their lucky charm cereal but they would take a photo of a fancy brunch because that's interesting and that's what will show up on the feed.
Most people do, especially girls. They want their lives to be exactly like those they admire and the instagram personalities that they follow. A lot of the people on here are lying or avoiding the extent of the truth.
I don't even post images of myself on social media. I avoid Instagram like the plague because it's full of half naked annoying people. And the only picture of me on Facebook is my profile picture.
No I don’t really go on Facebook and I don’t have twitter or instagram my social media is this website and YouTube and I pretty much only watch YouTube I do have a video of my dog falling asleep as a puppy but that’s it
Ya I agree. I will admit I do post pics on social media of the places I travel and when I do fun things with family & friends. I usually only post once a month. Yes there are people that post on social media just to look good or just to feel validated when I’m reality a person isn’t defined by a like or a comment. It’s how they are in real life what matters. Also some people post daily and act like there having a good time even when they aren’t.
No. My life is shit for the time being and I'm not afraid to admit it on social media or in real life. I never was fortunate enough to lead an easy life, but I'm slowly building my own life with the resources I have gained through my own work. And while I'm better off than others, I find no reason to show off to them, as I don't have narcissistic tendencies. Maybe that's why I barely use social media too
Nopee more of a in the moment type of gal (: i post not too often anymore, although i do tend to take at least a handful of picks when hanging out w/ friends & fam!! What i post is mostly when i go to themeparks, hanging out w friends, aaand going away parties
I've become quite "affluent" since I turned eighteen but there is little to actually boast. I've still never been more than an hour or so outside of Detroit and my "affluence" wasn't from my sweat and hard labor or investment, it is the result of an unfortunate loss and an entitlement as beneficiary of an insurance policy.
No, it's a waste of time. That's why i dont wear make up and when i do, i wear really light ones (unless its a date or a formal event) you're not just fooling people with that fake mask and "luxurious" life that you're living, you're also fooling yourself.
Nah I don't post anything on social media. Used to do it when I was new to them, but it was long ago and I haven't posted anything on Facebook, Twitter, etc. in the more than 5-6 years. Now I just look at memes. 😄
I do post on Instagram sometimes but only photos from videogames.
Yes of course, I don't put any of my sad, angry or frustrated (etc) moments on social media. People only see the fun stuff I do, I don't think people are interested in the depressing stuff (and I don't feel like sharing that)... So yeah, I guess I make it look better than it is🤔😅
I mainly post pics of events, when I’m doing things.
I may take the occasional everyday selfie if I like a certain garment or accessory I’m wearing that day.
I’m not posting a pic of myself with dried up drool on my cheek and eye crust on my eyelids! If I post something to social media, it will be my best version of myself.
Representing yourself well in public, and taking good pics of events you’re involved in, doesn’t make you “fake on social media”.
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Anonymous
(30-35)
+1 y
From what I’ve seen most people definitely do. Girls will be posting engagement pictures praising their partner while the reality is they don’t really want to marry him and he’s only proposing as a way to trap her into a toxic relationship. I literally know someone who did this. It’s so cringeworthy!
No. I don't really get on social media like that except this and Youtube and I don't share much about my life on here anyways. I do sometimes but I don't trust these internet people like that😂😂😂 only a few.. And I don't see the point in constantly posting pictures of my life on social media anyways.
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Anonymous
(25-29)
+1 y
Never other than uploading my best selfies. I obviously don't look that way 24/7 but that goes without saying in my opinion. I'ver never tried to make myself or my life seem better online than irl though but I don't share hardships on social media and that is because i'm a private person. I don't even tell all my friends about some hardships, only the very closest ones.
My social media shows a lot of things and I don't lie or anything but I make myself seem a bit happier a bit less depressed less detail and there was a point where I completely ommited parts of my life
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Asker
+1 y
What do you mean ommited? And how do you make yourself seem happier on social media?
The middle option for multiple reasons Idt I would even have to explain for as I’m not fake and nothing about me is either. I’m 100% as real as it gets. I don’t even have that much social media and avoid looking at people’s posts who are like that..
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