With the rising popularity of short-form content, the internet provides infinite access to various talents, skills and hobbies. While social media provides an avenue to learn and discover, it also increases social comparison, fostering self-criticism and judgment.
With the prominence of productivity and hustle culture, the rise of inadequacy and insecurity becomes a product of our environment. The internet plays a significant role in negatively impacting how we view ourselves and our achievements. Social media contributes to making people feel like they’re falling behind.
“(Social media) gives you the pressure to do everything … when in reality you can be content with what you want,” said Desheng Liu, an electrical and computer engineering senior.
While hobbies are typically pursued out of personal interest, social media’s adverse effects lead to differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation when progressing further into different tasks and hobbies. Students should be more mindful of their social media usage to mitigate the adverse effects of feeling behind. People should allow social media to enhance their self-perspective by consuming more content intrinsic to their interests, beliefs and values, rather than solely entertainment.
“That’s the main thing that social media pushes you to do,” Liu said. “You’re comparing yourself with your friends, with content creators, both of which are choosing to make their life look very interesting.”
Social media often shapes what people think they should spend their time doing. There should be more emphasis on remaining present rather than the toxic, hyper-focused mentality to be the best at everything.
David Ryfe, director of the School of Journalism and Media, said that the emotional impact of different content types was subjective regarding how people are influenced, as it depended on the person involved.
“It depends (on the) person,” Ryfe said. “It depends on how much time you’re spending on these outlets. It depends on how much prior information you may have about the topics you’re consuming information about.”
Often, when developing multiple interests, you must navigate feeling overwhelmed. One of the many ways to do so is understanding that what we want to pursue means compromising in other areas or activities.
On the other hand, some people face the opposite effect of social media — finding an opposite and positive effect. Ryfe said that how social media and content personalization impact people’s interests was complicated.
“Generally speaking, the more you’re interested in a topic, the more social media platforms will deliver about that topic to you,” Ryfe said.
Although different variables are factored in, it remains true that not everyone on social media stays on it for hours and hours, so their platforms aren’t as catered to the person.
“Certainly when it comes to information, social media tends to lead people down particular pathways of interest and doesn’t allow them to easily explore alternatives,” Ryfe said.
Computer science freshman Carl Omondi participates in UT’s Longhorn Rocketry Association team, salsa club, water skiing and loves to learn languages.
“I say social media more enhances (than) influences my decision on which organizations I participate in,” said Omondi.
While social media has led to many students’ negative experiences, it allows others to gain wider exposure to their current passions. Coming from a more extroverted background, Omondi states that while social media positively impacts him, some people hold similar roles.
“My inspiration for salsa was the president of Texas Line Dance. … (She) was really inspiring for me and that’s what helped get me involved,” Omondi said. “(Social media) is what … showed me more and more of that content, and obviously, I’d spend more time watching it, influencing the algorithm.”
The influence of social media having opportunities to amplify and impact people in positive and negative ways should be something that people remain cognizant of. The reality that many people are doing fine when it comes to life should be addressed by those deep within hustle culture.
Apuda is a journalism freshman from The Woodlands, Texas.
