Script: Hyper Reality
Note: On 23/03/28, Adele cut down and trim the script to adhere to the time limit and so here is the new copy of the script
Hyper Reality
How the projection of false personas/lives on social media have
a negative psychological effect on today’s youth.
a negative psychological effect on today’s youth.
INTRO
Social media. A harmless way to connect or a false and dangerous
construct masking mass social dysfunction? Everyday billions of
people unlock their screens in search of likes, comments,
affirmation and re-assurance. The hours devoted to staring at
glowing screens can often be longer than many teenagers sleep at
night! During the ritual scroll through a hedonistic diet of
photos and self-promotion, we subconsciously compare ourselves
and our lives to digitally idealized depictions of a social
‘nirvana’ that isn’t real. Social media can exploit the worst of
our natures, legitimizing narcissism, fuelling our addictions
and toying with our self-esteem. It can create a tsunami of
negative psychological effects for the worst affected among us,
an issue which is increasingly prevalent in today’s
impressionable youth. If it’s the last thing you see at night,
and the first thing you wake to, are we ever truly ‘offline’?
Are we really on a form of ‘digital life support’ that starts
and stops when we click the power button?
construct masking mass social dysfunction? Everyday billions of
people unlock their screens in search of likes, comments,
affirmation and re-assurance. The hours devoted to staring at
glowing screens can often be longer than many teenagers sleep at
night! During the ritual scroll through a hedonistic diet of
photos and self-promotion, we subconsciously compare ourselves
and our lives to digitally idealized depictions of a social
‘nirvana’ that isn’t real. Social media can exploit the worst of
our natures, legitimizing narcissism, fuelling our addictions
and toying with our self-esteem. It can create a tsunami of
negative psychological effects for the worst affected among us,
an issue which is increasingly prevalent in today’s
impressionable youth. If it’s the last thing you see at night,
and the first thing you wake to, are we ever truly ‘offline’?
Are we really on a form of ‘digital life support’ that starts
and stops when we click the power button?
NARCISSISM
Is social media turning us into a pack of ‘publicity-hungry
narcissists by pandering to our innate vanity and need for
attention? Many social media users feel compelled to compete for
followers, as if a higher number increases our self-worth or our
importance. Friends, complete strangers…no matter. The bigger the
following, the better you feel. People feel loved and popular
having an abundance of “friends.” This creates an expanding
audience with whom you can supposedly connect by bombarding them
with stylised imagery of boastful self-promotion of a ‘perfect’
life. By sanitising the reality of our real human experience, 3
billion active social media users are exposed daily to
unattainable social or life goals and specially crafted material
that is intentionally idealistic. Recent studies show 63% of 18-29
year olds have been excited when their post received more likes
that expected. Comments, heart emojis, likes all fuel our ego and
stimulate the narcissist in us all. Humans desire to be loved and
accepted, and social media is a conduit to these emotions. People
feel the only place they can escape to from their mundane, chaotic
lives is in a screen.
attention? Many social media users feel compelled to compete for
followers, as if a higher number increases our self-worth or our
importance. Friends, complete strangers…no matter. The bigger the
following, the better you feel. People feel loved and popular
having an abundance of “friends.” This creates an expanding
audience with whom you can supposedly connect by bombarding them
with stylised imagery of boastful self-promotion of a ‘perfect’
life. By sanitising the reality of our real human experience, 3
billion active social media users are exposed daily to
unattainable social or life goals and specially crafted material
that is intentionally idealistic. Recent studies show 63% of 18-29
year olds have been excited when their post received more likes
that expected. Comments, heart emojis, likes all fuel our ego and
stimulate the narcissist in us all. Humans desire to be loved and
accepted, and social media is a conduit to these emotions. People
feel the only place they can escape to from their mundane, chaotic
lives is in a screen.
Self Esteem:
Is social media tearing us down or inflating us with hot air of ignorance? Looking at the constructed reality on social media, viewers with weak confidence would think that people online have a better and happier life compare to the viewer’s mundane one. In contrast, people with higher self-confidence are less negatively affected by social media. As the self-obsess would only post their “perfect” moments of their life, people who lacks the self-confidence would constantly compare themselves to the apparently perfect images online. As a consequence, those teenagers would become more anxious or depressed over what others have that they don’t. This nagging feeling of not being able to measure up will only lead to less confidence and an erosion of self-worth. Therefore, those who lack self-esteem would feel that their life is not worth it. Unfortunately, due to the fear of being isolated, the low-self esteem users would try to imitate the “successful” people in order to “feel good” about themselves. However, this would create more unnecessary stress on the youth than they already have. Donna Wick, founder of Mind-to-Mind Parenting, states that for teenagers, the combined weight of vulnerability, the need for validation, and a desire to compare themselves with peers forms what she describes as a “perfect storm of self-doubt.” Consequently, teenagers who try to become what they cannot achieve, would lead to a life of addiction with social media.
ADDICTION
Social media is a harmful drug. We grow hungry and agitated without it.
Like any other drug, it’s highly addictive. These time-consuming apps
encourage our ever-growing lust for attention and love. Social media’s
our lifeline to the outside world. Without it we’re led to believe
we’re disconnected and alienated. Therefore, millennials ‘compulsively’
check their social profiles and updates. Recent studies show 92% of
teens go online daily, with 76% confessing to avidly using social
media. We’re constantly logged in, dreading the moment we have to log
out. Social media stimulates dopamine in the reward centre of the
brain much like gambling and exercise.Why give up something drowning
us in dopamine?
The Aftermath
As the result of creating a fake profile on social media over the time,
people are getting rewarded for nothing. What do they gain at the end?
The negative impacts on their health. Recent studies showed that people
who spent two hours or more on social media per day or more than 58
times a week, had three times the odds of feeling socially isolated
than people who spent less than half an hour a day or fewer than nine
times a week. There are few factors that relate to the cause of
isolation. Firstly, social media used up time that might otherwise be
spent in actual person-to-person socialization. Secondly, is the
comparisons we make between ourselves and others through their social
media posts. For instance, seeing pictures of people at fun events can
trigger feelings of exclusion and can inspire feelings of jealousy.
Conclusion:
It is no secret that people’s lives are intertwined with social media due to them dedicating their life to it. However, as much as it has positively connected people, it has negatively impacted our mental health. So much to the point of irreversible addiction. However, there is a solution to this problem. Teenagers should stop building walls to protect their vulnerability. We need to demolish these fabricated walls in order to express ourselves freely without judgement. Put down your phone, look beyond the screen. Explore the real world. Maybe you will get that happy ending.
Note: Old Script 04/03/2018
Hyper Reality
Self Esteem:
Topic Sentence: Is social media tearing us down or inflating us with
hot air of ignorance?
hot air of ignorance?
By looking at the constructed reality, viewers with weak confidence
would think that their lives are not perfect like the ones portrayed
in social media. Therefore, it would lower their self-esteem.
would think that their lives are not perfect like the ones portrayed
in social media. Therefore, it would lower their self-esteem.
In contrast, people with high self-confidence are less negatively
affected by social media compared to those who do.
affected by social media compared to those who do.
Furthermore, it doesn’t really help at all when the self-obsess would
only post their “perfect” moments of their life that people who lack
the self-confidence would constantly compare themselves to the
apparently perfect images online.
only post their “perfect” moments of their life that people who lack
the self-confidence would constantly compare themselves to the
apparently perfect images online.
As a consequence, the less self-confident would become more anxious
or depressed over what others have that they don’t.
or depressed over what others have that they don’t.
This nagging feeling of not being able to measure up will only
lead to less confidence and an erosion of self-worth. Therefore,
those who lack self-confidence would feel that their life is not
worth it.
lead to less confidence and an erosion of self-worth. Therefore,
those who lack self-confidence would feel that their life is not
worth it.
According to a recent study, ranging from ages 28 to 73, men
and women who are active social media users, found that:
and women who are active social media users, found that:
- 60% of people using social media reported that it has impacted
- 50% of them reported social media having negative consequences
- 80% reported that is easier to be deceived by others through
(Interview with a psychologist or school counsellor)
Unfortunately, the low-self-esteem users would try to imitate
the “successful” people in order to “feel good” about themselves.
Although, this would create more unnecessary stress on the youth
than they already have.
the “successful” people in order to “feel good” about themselves.
Although, this would create more unnecessary stress on the youth
than they already have.
Founder of Mind-to-Mind Parenting Donna Wick states that for teenagers,
the combined weight of vulnerability, the need for validation, and a
desire to compare themselves with peers forms what she describes as a
“perfect storm of self-doubt.” The fallout from these unrealistic
standards becomes more dangerous once kids reach college, where they
face higher stakes, harder work, and a largely parent-free environment.
The pressure to look perfect to impress new peers, not to speak of
friends and family back home, can be even greater.
the combined weight of vulnerability, the need for validation, and a
desire to compare themselves with peers forms what she describes as a
“perfect storm of self-doubt.” The fallout from these unrealistic
standards becomes more dangerous once kids reach college, where they
face higher stakes, harder work, and a largely parent-free environment.
The pressure to look perfect to impress new peers, not to speak of
friends and family back home, can be even greater.
(Interview with a psychologist or school counselor)
End cue: As a result, teenagers who try to become what they
cannot achieve, would lead to a life of addiction with social media.
Indeed, social media is a harmful drug.
cannot achieve, would lead to a life of addiction with social media.
Indeed, social media is a harmful drug.
The Aftermath
As the result of creating a fake profile on social media,
people are getting rewarded for nothing. What do they gain at
the end? The negative consequences toward their health.
people are getting rewarded for nothing. What do they gain at
the end? The negative consequences toward their health.
(Interview with psychology or school councillor)
Potential Question:
What is the effect self-esteem has on the low self-esteem users? Psychologically and physically?
What about those who are addicted and self-obsessed? What do they gain at the end of the day?
A recent study looked at the rise in depression and suicide in
teenagers in recent years. The CDC had noted a rise in the rates
of both over the years 2010-2015 and found that girls were
particularly at risk: Their suicide rate rose by 65% in those
five years. The number of girls with severe depression rose by 58%.
teenagers in recent years. The CDC had noted a rise in the rates
of both over the years 2010-2015 and found that girls were
particularly at risk: Their suicide rate rose by 65% in those
five years. The number of girls with severe depression rose by 58%.
Furthermore,
- 91% of young people use the internet for social networking
- Recent reports state that Australian teenagers that are active on
(the fear of missing out) or FONK (the fear of not knowing)
- 1 in 5 teenagers admit to feeling worse about their own life as a
However, not only their health is in danger but their social skills are in peril.
Potential question for an interview
It started from a website that people who spent more time on social media—two hours a day or more for instance—had twice the odds of feeling socially isolated than people who spent less than half an hour a day on it. Is this true?
In terms of a number of times a person visited the sites, those who
visited 58 times or more in a week had three times the chance of
feeling socially isolated as those who visited nine or fewer.
visited 58 times or more in a week had three times the chance of
feeling socially isolated as those who visited nine or fewer.
Recent research suggests that a few different mechanisms for the
strange connection. One is that social media is just a time suck, and
uses up time that might otherwise be spent in actual person-to-person
socialization. Other theories involve the comparisons we make between
ourselves and others through their posts: For instance, seeing pictures
of people at fun events can trigger feelings of exclusion. And seeing
other people’s “highlight reels” can inspire feelings of jealousy.
strange connection. One is that social media is just a time suck, and
uses up time that might otherwise be spent in actual person-to-person
socialization. Other theories involve the comparisons we make between
ourselves and others through their posts: For instance, seeing pictures
of people at fun events can trigger feelings of exclusion. And seeing
other people’s “highlight reels” can inspire feelings of jealousy.
Question the interviewee about jobs skills if the person’s social media
“fame” is gone.
“fame” is gone.
Potential Question: Do these social media stars possess any other
skills other than social media branding? (Ask maybe a teacher)
skills other than social media branding? (Ask maybe a teacher)
Interview students to ask: If you had the opportunities to be famous
on social media, would you considered as a career?
on social media, would you considered as a career?
Then write down the statistic of those answers
End Cue: Overall, it is clear that social media has a massive negative
impact on the youth mentally and physically. Unfortunately, once
someone is on social media, it is hard to get out of the addiction.
impact on the youth mentally and physically. Unfortunately, once
someone is on social media, it is hard to get out of the addiction.
Conclusion:
It is no secret that people’s lives are intertwined with social media
due to them dedicating their life to it. However, as much as it has
positively connected people, it has negatively impacted our mental
health. So much to the point of irreversible addiction. However, there
is a solution to this problem. Teenagers should stop building walls to
protect their vulnerability. We need to demolish these fabricated walls
in order to express ourselves freely without judgment. Put down your
phone, look beyond the screen. Explore the real world. Maybe you will
get that happy ending.
due to them dedicating their life to it. However, as much as it has
positively connected people, it has negatively impacted our mental
health. So much to the point of irreversible addiction. However, there
is a solution to this problem. Teenagers should stop building walls to
protect their vulnerability. We need to demolish these fabricated walls
in order to express ourselves freely without judgment. Put down your
phone, look beyond the screen. Explore the real world. Maybe you will
get that happy ending.
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