• Question: Do you think the internet makes us feel insecure and why?

    Asked by Zimbardo to Sam on 17 Jun 2017.
    • Photo: Sam Carr

      Sam Carr answered on 17 Jun 2017:

      It can make us feel insecure:

      – It bombards us with images (usually unrealistic ones) about looks, bodies, lives that are “manicured” and unreal but which we often aspire to and compare to our own (seemingly inferior) lives – that can foster insecurity.

      – Everybody is encouraged (through social media) to “present” a version of themselves to others (their “friends”). This version is often unrealistic and serves to lead us to believe that our “friends” have amazing lives – and we sort of compete with each other in this performative sense – that can foster insecurity

      – Couples can monitor and observe each other via social media – 24 hours a day. They can see who their partner is friends with, chats they have, posts they make, what people say to them -and this can foster insecurity too.

      So, yes. There are things about the culture of the internet that are ripe for fostering insecurity in many senses.

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