The facade of perfection! Psychology: How social networks are damaging the mental health of young people!

Social networks have recently become an inseparable part of young people's daily lives, changing the way they communicate, get informed, and perceive reality.

But while platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook offer new opportunities for expression, creativity and interaction, experts warn of the dangers they bring.

"Social networks are directly affecting the mental health of young people. Constant exposure to unrealistic standards of beauty or success increases anxiety and feelings of inadequacy," says psychologist Kledona Dashi, for Politiko.al.

According to a recent study conducted by the Center for Youth Development in Albania, over 78% of young people aged 15-24 use social media for more than 3 hours every day. Many of them report feeling addicted or experiencing low self-esteem due to comparisons with the “perfect” life that appears on online platforms.

For psychologist Dashi, social comparison is one of the main factors. According to her, young people compare themselves to others, especially those who present their lives as 'perfect', and this leads to a decrease in self-confidence.

"This comparison often leads to feelings of low self-sufficiency, self-doubt, and decreased self-esteem. External feedback such as likes, positive comments, or followers become indicators of personal worth. This creates a dependence on external validation instead of building a stable, internal self-esteem," the psychologist says.

Dashi further adds that the pursuit of virtual perfection among young people brings serious psychological and physical consequences.

She says that following unrealistic beauty standards, which are often the result of filters, digital modifications or aesthetic interventions, makes many young people feel uncomfortable with their appearance, increasing the risk of disorders such as anorexia, bulimia or depression.

"The culture of perfection on social networks, where every photo, video or status seems to be curated down to the last detail, can have serious psychological consequences. Increasing impossible expectations of oneself, always feeling under pressure to be more beautiful, more successful, more important. This condition is associated with increased stress, lack of self-confidence and mental fatigue. Following unrealistic standards of beauty that are often the result of filters, digital modifications or aesthetic interventions, makes many young people feel uncomfortable with their appearance, increasing the risk of disorders such as anorexia, bulimia or depression. The feeling that the lives of others are always better and more interesting. This creates anxiety and dissatisfaction with real life, distancing young people from accepting themselves and real moments", - the psychologist says for Politiko.al

Asked why young people feel compelled to present themselves differently from reality on social networks, Dashi believes that the main reason is the need for social acceptance.

"In and around adolescence, young people are searching for self-identity and base much of their value on how they are perceived by others. Cultural norms of social networks. If everyone around them posts edited images, luxurious trips or successful appearances, a kind of group norm arises where "being yourself" is perhaps not seen as good enough. Fear of judgment and rejection. Young people are particularly sensitive to peer judgment. They would rather present themselves differently than risk not being accepted," concludes the psychologist.

It seems that the trend for virtual perfection creates serious consequences for the self-esteem and emotional health of adolescents. 

In an era where virtual life often mixes with reality, the balance between healthy use and addiction to social networks is the biggest challenge for the young Albanian generation, even though experts call for educational institutions and families to invest more in the digital education of young people.