Social media has challenged the younger generations mentally, physically, and emotionally. Instagram, mainly a platform for promoting an ideal life has instead tended to inspire self doubt. Posting photoshopped and filtered photos provides an individual the opportunity to portray their ideal life to an audience. However, it is vital to recognize that social media is NOT real life.

Snapchat, another social media platform, differs to Instagram as the basis of Snapchat requires two individuals to send pictures back and forth in order to attain a “streak.” By forwarding pictures of a ceiling, a black screen, maybe yourself, friends, family, a pet, really anything at least twice a day, the number will progressively increase. The process takes time in order to attain a number which oftentimes does not include conversation but, rather, lack of such. While at times communication occurs and a sense of reality is more apparent through Snapchat, the filters promote publicizing that ideal life or even ideal appearance like Instagram.

The most recent social media platform, TikTok differs from both, yet, it can still inspire insecurities. Many body-positive influencers, most popularly, Sienna Mae Gomez, uses her platform to promote all body types. She often discusses the importance of self-love and focuses on the fact that all appearances are beautiful and more importantly, valid. Although TikTok’s purpose is to create fun, engaging, and funny videos to share and relate to, appearances are just as evident. Therefore, it is important to understand that social media is NOT reality and that you must learn to love yourself.