15 Shocking Things About Social Media That You Need to Know

Everyone scrolls through social media, but not many of us stop to think about what is going on behind the screen of our phones. Social media can be a lot more harmful than you may realize. Take a look at these 15 surprising facts that may completely change how you look at social media and also how you use it. The internet can be a scary place, and the online social world can be dangerous, intimidating, and complicated. Keep reading to know what you are up against before you log on and start scrolling.
Social Media Distorts Reality

If you have been an avid fan of social media, you will agree that everyone on the platform is trying to distort reality. People try to picture themselves as the best individuals on social media platforms but do not showcase their true selves. Their struggles and mundane moments are skipped, showing that the curated content is filled with disillusioned expectations. These foster feelings of inadequacy in people’s minds following them on these social media networks.
Algorithms Control What You See

Many of you might believe the content you see on social media networks is random, but that is not the case. It is controlled by algorithms that show what you have been searching on your laptops and smart devices throughout the day. Using these cues, these algorithms prioritize content to draw your attention by amplifying sensational, polarizing, or emotionally charged posts.
Social Media Fuels Comparison and Jealousy

You are always in the eyes of people on social media. Your success and failure both become public. This constant exposure to others fuels comparisons and jealousy that are not good for anyone. Social media networks give you a glimpse of the best moments that ignore the struggles of an individual. This endless comparison can hurt your self-esteem and make you dissatisfied with your life.
Privacy Is an Illusion

Some people believe they have total control over their privacy while browsing these social media networks. However, the reality will hit them hard. The data you provide on these networks is accumulated, scrutinized, and sold to third-party sites. This is true even if you are using stringent privacy settings. Social media networks record your behavior, preferences, and interactions to share targeted advertising.
Social Media Can Be Addictive

The very nature of social media networks is to make you indulge in them regularly so that you become habituated. With features like endless scrolling, likes, and notifications, these networks trigger dopamine release in your brain, making you visit them repeatedly. However, it is not in the best interests of an individual to spend more time on these sites as it can cause depression, anxiety, and a feeling of isolation.
It’s a Breeding Ground for Misinformation

Social media is a hotbed for false information. People can share videos and post viral things that are far from accurate, making millions of users consume false information within seconds. Ultimately, this can change people’s opinions, affect world politics, and cause real-world events in moments. So, you must carefully distinguish between credible sources and misinformation on these sites.
Social Media Influences Your Mental Health

Social media can hurt your mental health and lead to medical conditions. Although you might find it mentally stimulating to browse through social media posts, it can make you anxious, depressed, and lonely. With the amount of information that one can get nowadays on social media, there is bound to be a comparison and pressure to present a good image in front of others.
Your Attention Span Is Being Eroded

Due to the swift nature of social media networks, you get rapid updates and constant notifications that can divert your attention. It becomes incredibly challenging to concentrate on the most critical tasks. So, it would be helpful if you choose between enjoying your time on social media or focusing on tasks to earn your livelihood. This constant stimulation can make you choose swift, shallow interactions over honest one-on-one communication.
Authenticity Is Often Sacrificed

You will find the rat race on social media to get the most likes, followers, and validation. As a user, this makes you feel pressure to get used to the trends, show over-the-top achievements, or present yourself in how others perceive you. You get into this loop of racing with others. This can result in a disconnect between your authentic self and the online persona you have created.
Social Media Amplifies Negative Emotions

You tend to overreact on social media. It can be in the form of envy, anger, or even an element of fear. Due to the design of these sites, you are encouraged to create emotional posts that result in strong reactions from the public. This can result in an endless cycle of negativity wherein you display your worst feelings to be a part of the social media trend. The sooner you recognize this, the better it will be for you to promote positivity and well-being.
It Can Create a Flawed Sense of Connection

Social media has enabled us to contact our near and dear ones without hassle. It can also create a flawed sense of connection without depth in communication. The relationships built on these sites are fickle. Even if you have thousands of friends on social media, when you need help, you cannot call them personally. Thus, there needs to be a balance between online and real-life communication to make the relationships you build true.
You’re Not the Customer—You’re the Product

This is the most disturbing aspect of social media. You are no longer paying to use social media. You are the product itself, and not even the customer! Social media sites’ revenue model involves sharing users’ access with the highest bidder. This way, your personal information is shared with the highest bidder. This raises ethical concerns about data usage and manipulation of online behavior to earn big money from companies.
Alters Your Mood

Social media has been shown to affect people’s emotions in more ways than one. Many studies found that people tend to be in a worse mood after looking at social media than before they started scrolling. The simple act of checking social media makes people feel more depressed and less happy with life. If you are feeling good and having a positive day, don’t check social media. It may ruin your good vibes!
Disassociate From The Real World

What you see on social media is not real. From filtered pictures to people presenting their lives in a certain, unrealistic way, there is nothing authentic about social media. When you start scrolling through this artificial world, you are likely to forget what is real and what is fake. You can get lost in the cyber world and start to feel disconnected from reality. Even after you put the phone down, you may not be able to function in the real world. Social media makes it challenging for individuals to live in the real world, where things are messy and hard rather than picture-perfect.
Information for Sale

While you may think that you have your social media accounts protected and locked, you may be very wrong. Platforms collect data on your likes, habits, and interests, then sell it to advertisers who want to target you with personalized ads. Every click, comment, and follow is part of a digital profile that companies can then buy to better understand and influence consumer behavior. So, while you’re sharing updates, your data is quietly being traded in a billion-dollar market.
Although social media has made it easier for us to stay connected and communicate with people worldwide, these platforms have a dark side. Once fully aware of the dangers mentioned above, you will make more informed choices when engaging with social media and will not be in the rat race of endless pursuit of likes and followers.