“It’s an optimized and perfectly staged world,” says Sascha Trältzsch-Wijnen, professor in the communication science department, in an interview with SALZBURG24. He does not speak of a “fake reality”, but of manipulative social platforms. And these have long since arrived in our world and are also changing it. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Co. pull people under their spell.
How people use social media
The use and selection of the platform depends on the target group. “The older generation (19 – 35 years old) use Facebook to maintain their networks and the young (11 – 19 years old) use Instagram and Snapchat for self-presentation.” That is why Trältzsch-Wijnen also speaks of two important points that motivate the use of these platforms apply: communication and self-presentation. There is also a difference between men and women: “Women prefer portraits and photos of themselves. Men, on the other hand, want to show their possessions, such as their great car.”
Influencers as new role models
Influencers are people who inspire other people with their content. Regardless of whether users are looking for travel, sports or lifestyle content, they will definitely find it on Instagram. According to Trüllezsch-Wijnen, they represent an opinion leader in certain circles. “Young people want to recreate their photos and for adults they take on more of an advisory role.”
“Is that suitable for Instagram?”
When asked whether the users are influenced by this content, the professor replies: “Overall, we orient ourselves towards this content.” People would pay attention to what is socially desirable, acceptable and suitable for the platform. That’s why users mainly post beautiful photos or videos to get positive feedback.
Social media dictates the ideal of the body
The issues of beauty and the body are particularly affected. Too fat, too short legs, too small lips and a crooked nose. People, especially young women, often criticize their own appearance. “In the past you wanted to look like the woman on the magazine cover, now you orientate yourself on social media,” adds Trältzsch-Wijnen. Young, thin girls with model dimensions often pose on these platforms. And these images would provide an ideal of the body. “Young women emulate this ideal. But here there is the risk of orienting yourself towards the wrong ideal. ”Because what is presented there is not a real image, but rather filtered and manipulated. The new fitness trend, which, according to Trältzsch-Wijnen, has increased sharply since Corona, can also be seen both positively and negatively.
Social comparison
These distorted and manipulated images would also lead to a comparison with others on this platform. “Envy and frustration become a problem here,” states Trältzsch-Wijnen. This social comparison used to take place offline on site. Now, however, this has shifted to the big online world.
Influencers encourage women to be more self-loving
However, not all people and influencers follow this beauty and fitness trend. On the contrary, with photos of their “problem areas” such as stretch marks on their stomach or dents on their buttocks, they want to ensure more naturalness on Instagram. Danea Mercer, a journalist from Dubai, reveals the popular tricks and puts “Instagram vs. Reality” pictures online. With these she wants to encourage women to be more self-loving and counteract the wrong body ideal. “I think we have to constantly show normal bodies and body images. It helps us to remember that social media are not real,” said the influencer in a 2020 interview.
Communication is strengthened
But social media can also have positive aspects, as Danea Mercer confirms, and draw attention to important things. Especially in times of the pandemic, according to Trältzsch-Wijnenl, it creates a sense of community and strengthens communication and network maintenance. In addition, everyone is responsible for their own use of social media and can therefore make the most of it.
(Source: SALZBURG24)
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