Image courtesy of business2community.com
Post, like, tweet, share, comment, and repeat – these are words that have become all too familiar with our generation and the world of social media.
We are all accustomed to the apps on our smart phones that consume most of our attention on a daily basis – we use our thumbs to scroll up and down timelines and news feeds scanning endless pictures and posts.
Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Yik Yak, Vine, YouTube, and the list goes on. The Internet, and what seems to be the world, has become accessible to us at the touch of a screen.
Social media has grown to encompass our entire lives, from posting pictures of family gatherings to tweeting about the disappointment of a cancelled Baylor Homecoming bonfire.
Within these realms of social networking, there are popular profiles or pages that have attracted followers from around the world. These accounts are usually owned by young men or women who seem to be living the ultimate dream – young adults traveling the world, free of responsibility, and doing everything we wish we were doing instead of writing Essay 2 for Rhetoric.
We follow these people – celebrities, models, advocates, and athletes – in awe as we scroll through their profiles full of exciting escapades and beautiful sunsets. We refer to these icons as being “Instagram celebrities” or “YouTube famous.”
Recently, a string of uproar has occurred within the world of social media as one famous YouTuber and Instagram phenomenon decided to speak up about the reality behind her picture-perfect posts.
Essena O’Neill, an 18-year-old from Australia, amassed half a million followers on Instagram with selfies, outfit posts, and fitness inspiration. A couple of weeks ago, O’Neill deleted over 2000 photos and changed the captions on existing photos with truthful reflections about how many tries it took to get the shot, posts she was paid for, and the pressuring “suffocation” she felt to look perfect. Renaming her profile to “Social Media Is Not Real Life,” O’Neill stirred up discussion amongst followers and fellow social media celebrities.
In a picture of O’Neill posing on a beach in a swimsuit, she edited the caption to: “NOT REAL LIFE – took over 100 in similar poses trying to make my stomach look good. Would have hardly eaten that day. Would have yelled at my little sister to keep taking them until I was somewhat proud of this. Yep so totally #goals.”
On other pictures, O’Neill accompanied her edited captions with capitalized phrases such as, “there is nothing real about this,” or “social media is not real is my point.”
In her last post on October 27, O’Neill wrote: “[Social media] is contrived imaged and edited clips ranked against each other. It’s a system based on social approval, likes, validation in views, and success in followers. It’s perfectly orchestrated self-absorbed judgment.”
O’Neill created a platform to speak out about the imperfect reality behind her seemingly perfect accounts on YouTube and Instagram. She made her voice heard and liberated herself of the restraints she had placed on herself as a public figure on social media.
In light of O’Neill’s recent account change, the idea of social media’s purpose has come into question.
Yes, the Internet can result in social stigmas and pressures that can have a negative impact – whether it is the pressure to be perfect for thousands of followers or feeling invisible and finding comfort from strangers on the Internet.
The only thing is, the Internet can be a beautiful thing. I am not only talking about the beauty of Google or SparkNotes. I am talking about the beauty of widespread knowledge that can be dispersed through the use of social media.
The Internet allows every single individual, whether they have half a million followers or ten, an opportunity to create a platform for themselves or for something bigger than themselves.
Through the use of the Internet and social media, issues such as police brutality and the refugee crisis have become prevalent knowledge to young adults that would not have learned about it otherwise. Some people find their safe haven in inspiring bloggers on YouTube or a weekly blog from an unknown writer. It is all about how you use the Internet.
It can spread negativity or positivity, but the possibilities are endless with a positive platform in mind.
Kassie Hsu is a freshman BIC student majoring in neuroscience.