How does curated intimacy on social media create dissonance between private experiences and public self-presentation?
Social media platforms have become an integral part of daily life for many people, especially younger generations. With smartphones and access to these platforms at their fingertips, they can post about everything from what they had for breakfast to where they are going out tonight. This trend has led to what is called "curated" intimacy, where users carefully select which parts of their lives they choose to share online. While this may seem harmless enough, it can actually lead to dissonance between private experiences and public self-presentation.
In order to understand why this is the case, it's important to define the terms involved. Intimacy refers to closeness, sharing secrets, and emotional bonding. On the other hand, self-presentation involves presenting oneself in a certain way that aligns with one's desired image or identity. When these things clash, such as when someone shares a personal story online without context or explanation, there is potential for confusion or even miscommunication.
If a user posts a picture of themselves in bed with another person but doesn't specify whether it was platonic or sexual, followers may interpret it differently than intended.
Curating intimacy on social media means that users often only show positive aspects of their lives - successes rather than failures or struggles. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness among those who don't feel like they measure up or fit into society's idealized version of happiness and fulfillment. It also sets unrealistic expectations for others who see these posts, making them believe everyone else has a perfect life while they struggle internally.
Curated intimacy on social media creates an illusion that relationships are more intense than they really are. Users will post pictures or stories about events or moments that make their relationship seem special or unique without providing any context or background information. This can lead to comparison and jealousy among friends and family members who view these posts, believing that they aren't experiencing similar levels of intimacy within their own relationships.
Curated intimacy on social media creates dissonance between private experiences and public self-presentation because it distorts reality. By selectively sharing parts of their lives online, users create a false narrative of what their lives are like. As a result, followers may come away feeling confused or disappointed when the truth comes out later down the line. Moreover, users may find themselves in awkward situations if someone recognizes them from something posted online or assumes certain things based on what they saw.
While curated intimacy seems harmless enough at first glance, its impact goes beyond just personal boundaries. It creates a disconnect between public image and private experience, leading to feelings of inadequacy, isolation, and miscommunication. It is essential for all individuals using social media to be aware of this potential issue so that they can avoid causing harm or confusion to those around them while still being authentic online.
How does curated intimacy on social media create dissonance between private experiences and public self-presentation?
Curated intimacy is the practice of sharing personal experiences with others on social media but presenting them selectively. This can cause dissonance as individuals may feel pressure to present themselves in a certain way that aligns with their social media persona, rather than authentically expressing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. As a result, they may experience anxiety, depression, and reduced self-esteem.