Unraveling the Emotional Tapestry of Social Media

Unraveling the Emotional Tapestry of Social Media

By: Kye Jean-Gilles

    

    In the ever-expanding digital universe, it has created things we all know and love such as Social Media..or are at least a little bittersweet towards(more like hate), such as a faulty ROOMBA (I don't care if those don't count, because I'm counting them today!) The boundaries between the virtual and the tangible blur together with each passing moment. The deeper I began to explore, the more I realized how intricate social media was, specifically its impact on our emotional well-being. I remember the moment that spurred my curiosity and ignited my passion for monitoring social media and being aware of the emotional impact it can have on you.

    One day I was, unfortunately, doom-scrolling for hours watching content that in retrospect did more harm than good, constantly swiping and never moving from the spot I started in. Realistically speaking, I could’ve put the phone down and stepped away; but something was there, mentally latching onto me. Closing the app turned meaningless as in less than 60 seconds it would be re-opened again. Before I had the chance to realize it, my mind created a dependency on social media to bring me happiness.

    

    A question started to form in my mind: beyond all the likes and waves of comments, how does social media truly affect our emotional health and well-being? I had to learn, and where else to learn from than the stories of the people and community closest to you? I had the pleasure of speaking with 4 people I hold dear to my heart: Mike, Sannia, Eso and Michelle.

  Hearing their stories and seeing each perspective from differing genders and ages was so insightful. I saw threads of my own experiences in their views, and it gave me a glimpse and close-up of humanity bound by threads, but from afar you can see how they're woven into a beautiful tapestry. Social media reigns supreme as both a source of connection and contention. When navigating through it all, it's important to pause and reflect on the enormous cultural and emotional implications woven into the fabric of our online experiences.

Interview Analyses:

Mike showing off his glasses (being the coolest cat around)

MIKE, the man, the myth, the legend:

    This is Mike (27): my older brother, 7 years my senior, and one of the most interesting people to ever grace the face of the planet. He was one of the first mentors and pillars I had to guide me forward in life. He would draw such detailed art, bike to the library, returning home carrying a mountain of books ranging from anatomy and learning how to draw the human body to geeky comics and manga on his shoulder. I always copied and mimicked everything he did because of how much I looked up to him (even if I annoyed him by following him around...classic little sister). He is someone I can count on no matter what, and reminds me that it's okay to be vulnerable, and honest with yourself. He is a passionate speaker who adores and engages in graphic design, comic book illustration, music, architectural planning, and not to mention, recently unbeknownst to me...he has begun driving a motorcycle! I had no clue he even had a license!

    

    Mike was special compared to everyone else I had interviewed in the factor that: He doesn't use social media. Now that's not to say he's never used it before, but more so he stepped away from it a long time ago. That piqued my interest...I had hundreds of questions brewing in my mind and needed to get answers. What could cause him to delete all social media entirely, and only carry a phone for calls or texts from friends, family, work, etc? Here is his perspective:

    For Mike, social media seemed to be a battleground of ideals and principles—a space where individuality is sacrificed for a collective consensus. "I don't use it anymore because all social media does is create a hive mind where everyone has to conform to what they believe is okay," Mike asserted. He believes online conformity is a powerful reminder of the importance of authenticity and self-expression in a world filled with artificiality.

    Mike emphasized the nature of social media's influence on personal connections and individuality. "People are forced to think a certain way due to overexposure, and that like, limits personal connections and individuality with themselves," he mentioned. "You feel so pressured to think, look, and act a certain way because it's all you see when you turn your cell phone on. How can you make genuine human connections online when internally you are comparing yourself and envious of them?"

I admired his stand against online conformity and the importance of staying true to oneself in the face of societal pressures. I am inspired by Mike's commitment to authenticity and individuality, because it is what makes humans, human... and is most definitely what makes Mike, well, Mike. I believe his interview was important to read first, as he has no social media, it'll be interesting to see how perspectives differ based on the frequency of their activity level on social media. I want to use his as a base for the rest of the interviews, and really see the comparisons and contrasts.

Eso playing the wooden sax around the streets of Los Angeles!

ESO, golden reeds, illuminating insights:

    Meet Eso (21)—my best friend, closest confidant, and a beacon of wisdom in the uproarious sea of life. It would take centuries to fully list their beautiful passions, hobbies, and why they're an amazing person; but I will say, they are one of my biggest inspirations for why I stay engaged in art and community, while also being engaged within myself. Their unwavering support and insights have guided me through the darkest days and helped illuminate a path to self-discovery. In my eyes, they're more than just my best friend, but an extension of myself. As someone I deeply admire and respect, their opinion holds immense weight in my eyes. So, when I set out to analyze Eso's interview on the impact of social media, I knew it would be a journey of profound introspection and revelation.

    Intrigued by the narratives of those closest to me, Eso's words resonated with similar sentiments Mike had shared previously when discussing "raw authenticity". Reflecting on the shifting landscape of social media, Eso vocalized that, "Social media is designed to connect people, but instead, it tries to maximize ad revenue. Social networks should be about connection and forming bonds." This observation conveys the underlying tension between genuine human connection and the commodification of online interactions—a tension that has begun to be felt frequently throughout our online interactions.

    Moreover, Eso discusses the significance of self-expression and its limitations in the digital sphere. "There is a big way people express themselves, such as their presence on social media and the way they portray themselves online. All are conscious decisions and allow self-expression and identities for their peers," they remarked. There are so many complexities of identity construction in the digital age, which can be more isolating than freeing. Having a curated persona often obscures the authenticity of our true selves. That disconnect between virtual personas and your authentic selves can lead to cases of imposter syndrome, dissociation, or issues with self-image.

Exploring the streets of DTLA!

    Their reflections resonate deeply with me, echoing a sentiment of longing for genuine connection in an increasingly capitalized digital landscape. They mentioned the subtle shift in purpose for social media and I couldn't agree more. What was made for friendship, sharing connections, and empathy, has been plagued by money-hungry platforms that feed off insecurities because it'll turn a profit. The shift from social networks designed for fostering bonds to platforms driven by revenue displayed the nuances of our online interactions. I believe Eso's interview helps to underscore the importance of reclaiming authenticity and fostering meaningful connections in the age of social media and is more important now than ever since almost everybody on the planet is at least on one social media platform (or at the very least has access to it). It was such a pleasure to talk with Eso to listen to their rich perspective and gain insights into online personalities.

Sharing her beauty at the picnic!

 MICHELLE,
everything has
a bright side:

    

    Allow me to introduce you to Michelle (20)—my companion since kindergarten! We walked and navigated through life together. Elementary, middle, and high school; our first school dance, relationships, first school game...joined every club together from our amazing (questionable) run singing for the 7th-grade Choir, and choreographing dances during lunch time for the talent show. To me, witnessing each other grow has allowed me to embrace the journey of maturing, as we grew into the unique individuals we are today, hand in hand.

    Michelle's presence in my life has always been a source of strength and inspiration—a constant reminder of the power of resilience and beauty. From our earliest days on the playground to the challenges of adulthood, our connection runs deep, woven into the fabric of our shared experiences and mutual understanding.

    Michelle's perspective actually leaned more towards the happy side of the scale that social media can bring. Her innate ability to find joy amidst the chaos of life has always been a source of admiration for me. I found a perception I never quite thought of before. "Well social media can be bad, but it really depends on the angle you look at, to be honest. I mean, positive experiences come from forming that like, bond with friends and discovering interests in online communities that you wouldn't have found," Michelle shared. "Some of my coolest friends I've met through social media, it's about how you put yourself out there." Yet, she did mention the time when moments of joy were washed away by comparison and self-doubt, leading to some insecurities.

Michelle looking beautiful at Grand Park

    Michelle noted the duality of the nature of social media as both a tool for connection and a source of emotional discomfort. She acknowledges negativity online but chooses to focus on the positive aspects to maintain a healthier perspective on her journey of mental health. Once again, there are complexities inherent in navigating through social media with self-awareness in our online interactions and headspace when utilizing these platforms. "I think of it as like, there is always room for growth and transformation, you know? As long as your brain still works, you can change the way you see things."

Through Michelle's lens, I see optimism and turning every obstacle into an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. I believe her views align with allowing yourself some grace when navigating through social media.

Sharing a lovely moment! Sannia (right)

 SANNIA,

heartfelt confessions:

    This is the lovely Sannia (21)—she is my cousin and older than me by 9 months! Our mothers are sisters and we grew up doing absolutely everything together. I didn't feel alone (being the only girl with 2 older male siblings), because she was always there for me to make sure I never felt that way. We're pretty much inseparable and she is essentially like the sister I never had.

    Sannia has an unyielding spirit and unwavering honesty, and didn't hesitate to share a personal account of the toll social media has taken on her mental well-being. From the relentless pursuit of perfection to the crushing weight of comparison, Sannia's experiences serve as a reminder of the need for empathy and understanding in online interactions. Her experiences online resonate stronger with her due to the brief time she spent streaming video games and engaging in content creation online, accumulating a fan base of over 20k followers! There were positives and negatives in those experiences, as she mentioned in short. Things such as racial hate comments, rude private messages, and would get harrassed on a frequent basis, simply for existing. She had to take breaks and tried to not let it affect her, but admits that some comments did hurt and create self-esteem issues.

Lovely flower fields this Spring!

    In Sannia's heartfelt confession, I could tell how profound of a toll social media had on her mental well-being. "Social media can be misleading and has negative impacts on how the constant exposure of '100% perfection' distorts the way you view yourself," Sannia revealed. This can also tie back into earlier sentiments shared by Eso, where curated online personas often obscure the reality of our shared humanity.

    Sannia also touched base on the detrimental effects of social media's emphasis on perfection and comparison. I admired how Sannia prioritized her mental well-being when things began to get overwhelming. I noted that she 'Sees online communities as potentially increasing loneliness by offering superficial connections, also likes to have a deeper sense of connection,' due to her mentioning the importance of cultivating meaningful connections, something that seems to be a common theme amongst everybody.

What Can We Infer From This?

  

 As we went deeper into the narratives of Michelle, Sannia, Mike, and Eso, it became clear that the roots of social media's impact on mental health ran deep. From the pressures of conformity to the relentless pursuit of perfection. At the heart of it all lies a quest for connection and validation—a fundamental human need that is amplified in this current digital age.

I wanted to take a moment to let us pause and reflect on the insights from their experiences! Each life is a story waiting to be told and in their stories, we find echoes of our own struggles and triumphs, and can understand the interplay between culture, emotion, and technology. Cultural and emotional nuances are woven into the fabric of our online experiences, each narrative a thread in the humongous tapestry of our lives. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media, may we approach each interaction with empathy and understanding, recognizing the power of our digital footprint to shape the world around us.

Meet the Author!

Author Notes:

Of course, these are all summarized versions of extremely long conversations, and unfortunately, summaries just don’t quite do their invoking viewpoints any justice. I will add, that if you’re interested in reading the raw notes I took, there is a link to the document here. I encourage everyone to read them as bigger pictures don’t always capture the small details in the grass, in this case, how they each interact with social media personally daily. Thank you for taking the time to read this!