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[Music]
Hello everyone and welcome back to
another episode of the English Dialogue
Podcast. I am Mike here with my
wonderful co-host Emma. Today we're
tackling a topic that touches most of
our lives, the impact of social media on
self-esteem.
>> Hi listeners,
thanks for joining us. Social media
platforms from Instagram to Tik Tok are
everywhere. They can be fun and
informative, but they also can have a
serious impact on how we see ourselves.
We're going to explore why that happens
and what we can do about it. Let's start
with why social media is tied to
self-esteem.
On platforms like Instagram or Snapchat,
we see highlight reels of people's
lives. perfect vacations, fabulous
outfits, and fancy dinners. It's easy to
feel like you're not measuring up
>> exactly. And guess what? We lose that
comparison game. Social media can
magnify insecurities about looks,
lifestyle, achievements, or even
relationships.
>> Right? It's human nature to compare
ourselves to others, but social media
intensifies it. We might see someone's
stunning photos and think, "Why can't I
look like that? Or am I not doing enough
with my life?" These doubts can erode
self-esteem.
>> Then there's the whole like culture. We
post something and wait for likes,
comments, or shares as a form of
validation. If we get fewer likes than
expected, it can feel like a personal
failure.
>> Yes. It's almost like our self-worth
becomes tied to these metrics.
Even though we know they're just numbers
on a screen, it can still sting. And for
teens especially, it can be devastating
if their posts don't perform.
>> Absolutely. This constant quest for
external validation can create a cycle
of anxiety.
What if no one likes my post? Is there
something wrong with me? It makes us
overly reliant on other people's
approval instead of our own
self-confidence.
Let's also talk about filters and photo
editing. Social media is full of images
that are carefully curated, edited, or
filtered. While there's nothing wrong
with using a fun filter, it can create
unrealistic beauty standards.
Right?
We see flawless skin, perfect lighting,
and think it's reality, but often it's a
combination of good angles, editing
software, and selective posting.
Comparing our natural selves to
someone's heavily edited photos can be
damaging to self-esteem.
>> Totally. There's a difference between
occasional fun edits and living behind a
filter 24/7.
If we're constantly altering how we
appear online, we might start to feel
uncomfortable showing our real selves
offline.
>> Another factor is how social media
algorithms work. They tend to show us
content similar to what we've already
engaged with. If we're watching a lot of
perfect life vlogs, guess what appears
more in our feed?
>> Exactly. It becomes a feedback loop. The
more we see, the more we compare. The
more we compare, the worse we feel. That
can lead to spending even more time
scrolling, hoping to find some content
that makes us feel better, which rarely
happens.
>> Yes, it can be a downward spiral. The
algorithm's goal is to keep us engaged,
not to keep us happy. It's important to
recognize when it's affecting our mental
health.
>> Maybe we should point out some signs
that social media might be harming your
self-esteem. If you notice you're
constantly checking who liked or viewed
your post, or if you feel anxious when
you don't get enough likes, that's a red
flag.
>> Yes. or if you find yourself feeling
jealous, depressed, or inadequate after
scrolling through your feed, that's
another indicator. Also, if you're
comparing every aspect of your life,
relationships, career, body image to
people online.
>> And if you start to avoid posting at all
or you overly edit your photos just to
feel acceptable, it might be time to
evaluate your relationship with social
media.
So, how do we build a healthier
relationship with social media? One
strategy is to curate your feed. If
certain accounts make you feel bad,
unfollow them. Follow people who uplift
you or share genuine positive content.
>> Yes, curating your digital environment
can make a huge difference. Another step
is setting time limits. Instead of
endless scrolling, decide to use social
media for, say, 20 minutes at a time.
>> Exactly. Some phones have built-in
features that notify you when you've
spent a certain amount of time on an
app. It's a great way to stay mindful.
Also, consider a social media detox.
Take a day or a weekend off to
recalibrate.
Yes, a detox can remind you how nice it
is to do other things like talking to
friends face to face, reading, or taking
a walk. Real life interactions can
nurture self-esteem far more than
virtual likes.
>> Absolutely. It's a reminder that life is
multifaceted. There's more to it than
screens and online personas,
>> right? And when we do engage on social
media, we can share more authentic parts
of ourselves like challenges we're
facing or genuine milestones we're proud
of rather than just the perfect
highlights.
>> Speaking of validation, self-esteem is
heavily influenced by self- validation.
Asking for likes can become less
important if we learn to appreciate our
own accomplishments and qualities.
Yes, practicing self- validation might
look like writing down daily
affirmations or acknowledging small wins
like completing a workout or cooking a
meal. Reminding yourself, "I'm proud of
what I did today can build internal
confidence."
>> Exactly.
Gratitude journals or just mentally
noting three things you're grateful for
each day can combat the envy that social
media sometimes triggers. We should also
address comparison directly. Even if we
curate our feeds, we might still see
someone's big achievement or glamorous
photos and feel inadequate. How do we
handle that, Emma?
>> Well, remember that social media usually
shows a curated version of someone's
life. Everyone faces struggles behind
the scenes. Also, remind yourself that
you don't have to be at the same stage
as someone else. Your journey is unique.
Yes. And if you notice you're spiraling
into comparison, it might be time to
step away or do something that grounds
you, like taking a walk or focusing on a
personal goal you've set. Shift the
focus back to your own progress.
>> I love that idea of focusing on your own
progress. Celebrate your milestones,
whether they're big or small. Maybe you
learned a new skill or you had a good
day at work. Highlighting these wins can
elevate self-esteem,
>> right? And that celebration doesn't need
to be posted on social media. It can be
a private acknowledgement or shared with
close friends who truly support you.
That genuine connection often nourishes
self-esteem far more than public likes.
>> Let's not forget about setting healthy
boundaries on what we share. While
authenticity is good, we should also
protect our mental space.
We don't owe social media every detail
of our lives.
>> Yes, oversharing can open doors to
unwanted opinions or comparisons.
Sometimes it's nice to keep certain
memories or milestones just for you and
your inner circle. It helps maintain a
sense of privacy and self ownership.
>> Absolutely. It's about finding a balance
between being real and respecting your
own emotional boundaries. That sense of
control can strengthen your self-esteem
because you're deciding what's right for
you.
>> So, to sum up, social media can be a
double-edged sword. It connects us,
entertains us, and informs us, but it
can also erode our self-esteem if we're
not careful. The key is mindful use.
Curate your feeds, set time limits,
focus on real life connections, and
practice self- validation.
>> Exactly. If a certain account or habit
makes you feel bad, you can change it.
Your self-esteem is worth protecting.
>> Absolutely. And don't forget, your worth
isn't tied to likes or follows. You're
more than your social media profile.
Real confidence comes from knowing who
you are offline as well.
>> Thank you for joining us in this
conversation on the impact of social
media on self-esteem. We hope we've
given you some food for thought and
maybe a few strategies to improve your
online habits.
>> If you found this episode helpful,
please share it with a friend or family
member who might also be struggling with
social media pressures.
And remember, it's okay to log off and
live life in the real world sometimes.
>> Absolutely. Until next time, this is
Emma
>> and I'm Mike.
[Music]
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