Social media: can’t live with it, can’t live without it. It’s like our digital mamak, where we hang out, chat, and sometimes overshare. From Insta reels to TikTok trends, we post, scroll, and lose track of time. Sharing memes and staying updated is fun, but sometimes I do find myself wondering, am I living my life online? So, join me in unpacking social media’s effects and how it shapes young Malaysians. Spoiler, it’s complicated.
The Extremes of Social Media’s Effects
Social media makes the world small. One minute, I’m DM-ing a friend in the UK. Next, I’m binge-watching a local influencer’s food reviews. TikTok has sparked many modern creative movements, from dance challenges to storytelling trends. It feels like everyone has a mic now, and dare I say, many use it well. Plus, it’s where you find YOUR people, whether it’s niche interest groups or fandom spaces where everyone’s equally obsessed.
Part of social media’s best effects is giving young people a voice. We share our thoughts, art, and even random ideas with the world. It’s empowering to know that somewhere out there, someone might get inspired by your content. But while creating can feel freeing, it also means putting yourself out there, and there are implications.
Ever caught yourself scrolling through everyone’s highlight reel and feeling…meh? Same. Studies show social media, especially Instagram, can mess with our heads. We’re talking feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and just feeling blah. Malaysian youth feel the pressure to look perfect online. The aesthetically pleasing feeds, the fitness inspo, the perfectly curated lives; it’s easy to feel like we don’t measure up.
And let’s not forget the endless scrolling. My thumb practically moves on its own. We’re so used to the rush of notifications and likes that not getting them can feel like rejection. It’s like being hooked on validation from strangers. Real talk: social media can affect our self-esteem in sneaky ways. It’s addictive, and sometimes we don’t even realise it. Sometimes, I catch myself overthinking why a post didn’t get as many likes as I expected. It’s wild how much it can mess with your mood without you noticing.
Online vs. IRL: Blurring the Boundaries
Social media makes us craft edited versions of ourselves. Am I the exact same offline as online? Probably not. In Malaysia, where family and social norms can feel rigid, balancing your real self and your online persona can get tough. Sometimes it feels like living in two worlds: our feeds and our real, messy lives. Posting about success while feeling lost inside happens more often than we’d admit. We show the polished bits, the happy moments, and the aesthetic food shots. But behind the screen, life gets messy.
The pressure to always appear happy and successful can drain us. It’s exhausting to keep up appearances. Sometimes I just want to post a random, blurry photo without caring if it’s Insta-worthy. But the thought of being judged can make me second-guess it. It’s like performing a version of myself that people expect rather than who I really am.
Dealing with the Pressure: Finding Balance
So, should we just delete everything? Nah, that’s extreme. It’s about being chill with yourself. Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad. Take breaks when your brain feels fried. Set timers to avoid doom-scrolling at 2 a.m. Find ways to connect offline, too. Grab a meal with friends without the urge to post it. Go for a walk without your phone. Caring for your mental health should feel as routine as checking notifications. Here is a list I LOVE to refer to when I need fresh ideas on how to make my offline time more fulfilling.
It’s okay to log off when it all feels too much. Your well-being comes first. I’ve started being more intentional about who I follow and how much time I spend online. It’s not about cutting it out entirely, but being mindful of how it affects me.
Social Media: the Ultimate Frenemy
Social media feels like that one toxic friend you feel like you have a soul tie with. It connects, inspires, and sometimes overwhelms us. Staying mindful and setting boundaries helps us enjoy it without getting sucked in. Because life’s too short to live it through a screen. We need to find a balance between the digital world and the real one, where we can be our true selves, flaws and all. Finding that balance is a work in progress, and that’s totally okay.
