The Distorted Perception of Reality

We, as humans in this century, are hyperconnected compared to many years ago. The whole world and its flow are between the touch screen and our fingertips. Social media is not just a platform to connect with friends and share updates; it has become an omnipresent force that reshapes the understanding of the world and reality. Besides its entertainment and self-expression features, social media has an impact on how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world around us.

The users on social media should be aware of the fact that most of the polished and cool photos they see are filtered reality that does not reflect the hidden behind the curtain. What we see on platforms like Instagram is the idealized version of life: a vacation, a perfect selfie, or a group of friends hanging out in a café. Very few people show the unedited version of that vacation photo or selfie or disagreements within that group of friends. It is important to express our praise too to the users who demonstrate that reality, especially those with large audiences. Because they are like rare pearls in the vast ocean, showing unfiltered reality and normality and making people who see them feel that they are not alone or inadequate.

Distorted perception of reality and perfectionism determine the perception of how we see ourselves to a large and inaccurate extent. We create a digital persona and present ourselves in the most perfect way possible. In line with the spirit of social media, people naturally present their best and most ideal selves while sweeping under the rug the aspects of themselves that they do not want to see, because the culture of likes and views on platforms makes users feel like they need a sense of belonging and validation. However, the difference between the online persona and the real persona leads to dissonance and identity crises, blurring the line between who they truly are and not.