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Does social media encourage us to lie to ourselves? Not the lying to others to look better or one up, but denying or hiding from reality ourselves because everything is supposed to be so positive all the time. If we aren't positive we may be told to stop complaining or being a "downer". What about people who are actually depressed or going through some difficulty. Or just living a real life of ups and downs.
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Originally Posted by tamajane
I think it can cause confusion in people who are not always happy, of course none of us are always happy and we weren't designed that way. We may be less encouraged to deal with issues if we can push it down inside, go on social media and get a dose of fake positivity.
In terms of psychology, I think the distinction needs to be made re: social media as public entertainment vs. private interaction. If one is looking for help with personal issues, social media is not the place to turn. Most folks don’t use it to ‘complain’, because they prefer to confide in a romantic partner, friends or family members directly rather than communicate such in a more public setting (and understandably so). Else, you never know where it’s going (or where it’s been).
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Originally Posted by tamajane
This isn't about that topic though. It is about toxic positivity.
Don’t look to social media for answers relative to psychological health, and you won’t have to deal with (what you perceive to be) toxic positivity - or toxic negativity, for that matter.
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Originally Posted by Lodestar
Well I think the bottom line of being out of touch is telling your problems to strangers and expecting to get support without unpleasantries.
Why would anyone be listening to a stranger’s problems and conveying unpleasantries?
Why would anyone be listening to a stranger’s problems and conveying unpleasantries?
I suppose that question is rhetorical?
Each individual has his own reason. We read, even here sometimes, and see someone responding to another's post with unwarranted rudeness. I guess it's easy to wonder "What in the world is eating that person?"
Just had a perverse chuckle. It is pretty crazy, isn't it?
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Originally Posted by CorporateCowboy
In terms of psychology, I think the distinction needs to be made re: social media as public entertainment vs. private interaction. If one is looking for help with personal issues, social media is not the place to turn. Most folks don’t use it to ‘complain’, because they prefer to confide in a romantic partner, friends or family members directly rather than communicate such in a more public setting (and understandably so). Else, you never know where it’s going (or where it’s been).
Don’t look to social media for answers relative to psychological health, and you won’t have to deal with (what you perceive to be) toxic positivity - or toxic negativity, for that matter.
Love this! Social media is not meant to be about fixing ppl’s mental health or psychological problems. When ppl think it is…that’s the problem!
edit:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lodestar
Each individual has his own reason.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lodestar
Just had a perverse chuckle.
Tho they are unhealthy & unhappy themselves if they follow ppl on social media only to make rude comments, harass ppl, or to get a perverse chuckle out of it. There’s no reason for that! I’ve had it happen to me…a lot. Men will perversely comment on my fashion, fitness, makeup or lifestyle hack videos. Why are they even there? So…what I see is that it’s the followers with psychological issues & toxicity.
Last edited by TashaPosh; 06-06-2023 at 10:13 AM..
Does social media encourage us to lie to ourselves? Not the lying to others to look better or one up, but denying or hiding from reality ourselves because everything is supposed to be so positive all the time. If we aren't positive we may be told to stop complaining or being a "downer". What about people who are actually depressed or going through some difficulty. Or just living a real life of ups and downs.
What is complaining anyway? Say someone talks about their day and the things that happened. person 1- Today my car broke down and the tow truck took two hours in the rain, and the mechanic seemed like a rip off. Person 2- Today I got a promotion, my kid got all As at school and the weather was beautiful. They are both true. One is not more legit than another. One does not deserve to be called "complaining" or "venting" (negative connotation), while the other gets pats on the back, they are both reality. They are both someone's story.
I think it can cause confusion in people who are not always happy, of course none of us are always happy and we weren't designed that way. We may be less encouraged to deal with issues if we can push it down inside, go on social media and get a dose of fake positivity.
I would say yes to the initial question in the thread. This is a very nuanced topic the more I think about it. Now, I am no psychologist so feel free to check everything I say with someone who actually is a psychologist.
From what I see, there are a lot of groups on social media (for lack of a better term) that encourage hiding from reality. In my opinion, this is a bit older than social media. I have always seen people throw "Think positive!!!" around. Yet, their way of going about it looks a lot like being delusional to me. If I have a problem, I can't trick myself into thinking I don't have that problem. Sooner or later, the truth comes out.
As for complaining, to me, complaining is when you go on constantly about an issue. Now, it is okay to acknowledge an issue, but to go on and on about it constantly, that is when people are more prone to say "Enough!!!" If there is an issue that is bothering you, it is better to do something to resolve the issue. Now, again, acknowledging your problem and even venting is okay to a certain extent. Sometimes, you have to get it out. But it is better to keep it to a small extent, and acknowledging your problem is not necessarily complaining.
As a whole, social media is not an example of a healthy way to deal with things. It is more of a "safe haven" for people who may not have the best mental health to "vomit".
Honestly, I never understood people who want to air out their dirty laundry on social media. Yes, everyone has problems and not everything is perfect all the time, but why do people want others to know about their private business? I would only share my problems with people I really trust in person. I guess I'm more of a private person. I sometimes think that people who always talk about their issues on social media are just looking for attention..
I sometimes think that people who always talk about their issues on social media are just looking for attention..
I agree; that said, I question the folks who waste their time following/listening to it as well. It’s clear both ‘sides’ have some issues re: psychological health.
Wow I didn't realize there was a term for this. I was reading the article and nodding my head yup, yup, yup.
I will bookmark that, it is exactly what I meant. Social media feeds it but plenty of people individually are like that too. It is frustrating when say they want to offer support but shut you down right and left.
I had to cut someone off who was constantly doing this, she does it to herself too. She apologized for saying she had a bad day when someone she knew died. Was it supposed to be a good day? This almost seems like a mental illness.
There's nothing toxic about being positive. People just have different ways of dealing with tough situations.
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So…what I see is that it’s the followers with psychological issues & toxicity.
