With the roller coaster that was the 2024 presidential election, it’s easy to get swamped by the thousands of posts and comments circulating online about the results. While social media has become a primary news source for many U.S. adults — according to Pew Research Center —  it can be difficult to deal with the overwhelming amount of content on a day-to-day basis. 

Due to the fast-paced nature of short-form content, it’s hard to remember that social media is a highly performative reality. The TikToks and Instagram Reels that we see online are not candid representations of people’s lives. When a creator posts content, they are intentionally choosing to share a specific aspect of their lives that they are fine with millions of people seeing. This is not inherently bad, but it can be harmful when we compare our realities to the heavily curated content we see in our apps.

For instance, take Nara Smith, a social media influencer and fashion model with 11 million followers on TikTok. Smith’s content boasts of an idealistic, romantic version of motherhood with her elaborate recipes and luxurious lifestyle. The comments under her videos laud her for her beauty and accomplishments. However, when you admire someone, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to that person. Although many may idolize Smith, her lifestyle is neither realistic nor attainable for the average nine-to-five job holder . This can result in people developing insecurities for not being able to live up to Smith’s apparently flawless visage. 

When we compare ourselves to the people in the content we see online, we may often feel inadequate or insecure. According to a study in Social Science & Medicine, a peer-reviewed academic journal, exposure to idealized Instagram influencer models “resulted in increased body dissatisfaction” for both men and women. Consequently, those experiencing insecurities may be vulnerable to developing conditions like anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia and disordered eating.  

On the other hand, because social media allows millions of people to share their perspectives and opinions with the protection of anonymity, anyone can spew hateful comments with little to no accountability.

Lately, I’ve noticed that countless comment sections on Instagram Reels have become increasingly rife with hate speech and discriminatory language targeted towards historically marginalized communities, thus normalizing racism, ableism and sexism. 

Seeing this much toxicity regularly can adversely affect our mindset and attitudes, and this normalization can lead us to become desensitized to discrimination and increasingly apathetic toward others. The seemingly endless stream of negativity is detrimental to our ability to connect with others.

Social media is not innately bad, but it can be harmful depending on what content you choose to interact with and what you take away from it. It is all contingent upon your attention. When you are using social media, try to notice, what are you choosing to watch?  How do you feel when you interact with that content? 

Being aware of your attention is key to developing a healthy relationship with social media. Anytime you catch yourself scrolling on social media, ask yourself: Where is my attention? This simple question serves as a much-needed reality check when it comes to comparing yourself to influencers on the internet. 

If you find yourself feeling insecure by what you see on social media, try focusing your attention on something else. A great practice for when you are experiencing a lack of confidence or FOMO is to practice gratitude. Instead of feeling bad about what you may not have in life, try shifting your focus to the things you have that you are grateful for. Journaling is a great way to record your positives to practice gratefulness. If you aren’t accustomed to journaling, try recording one new or positive experience you have every day. The more you choose to focus on gratitude, the more your self-esteem can improve. 

On the other hand, if you are going down a rabbit hole of argumentative comments, posts on X or threads, a powerful technique to help rein in your attention is meditation. A meditation practice that helps me monitor my attention is Sahaja Yoga. Sahaja Yoga is a method of meditation that is unique because it allows you to enjoy the present moment without any thoughts taking you out of it. 

This can help strengthen your attention and improve your focus. As a result, you can become less susceptible to distractions, such as clickbait and rage bait. Additionally, by meditating regularly, you can become more peaceful and joyful. In my life, I’ve observed that the peace and positivity that I experience when I meditate acts as a protection from the constant barrage of negativity online.

Nevertheless, whether or not you try these practices, it’s still important to be aware of what you are exposed to on a daily basis through social media. Just remember, whenever you are using social media, ask yourself: Where is my attention?

Edited by Preston Smith | psmith@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Jayden Bates-Bland and Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com

Edited by Emilia Hansen | ehansen@themaneater.com 

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com