What do you see when you look in the mirror? Is it just your reflection,
or do you imagine yourself as someone special, like Cinderella in the spotlight?
Social media works like a digital mirror. Reflecting a polished version of oneself through carefully crafted posts and stories. For youth, it's more than entertainment, its a daily habit that shapes their identity and interactions. However, like a sparkling ocean hiding strong currents, it can lead to unexpected and sometimes risky places.
The article reflects findings from a survey, not a research project, done as part of the final assignment for the Certified Internship and Independent Study Program (MSIB) GNFI Batch 7. The program concentrates on Applied Data Analysis & Visualization for Digital Journalism. The survey ran from October 29 to November 9, 2024, with 200 respondents from Indonesia. Using a quantitative approach, the survey collected data by sharing online questionnaires via social media and messaging apps.
The Stage of Validation: Between Applause and Whispers of Envy
Social media gives youth a stage where likes and positive comments feel like applause, boosting confidence for 36.8% of them. Every post carries the hope of being noticed—whether it’s their outfits, pictures, or captions. However, there’s a downside to this digital stage.
Around 34.8% of youth frequently compare themselves to others online, questioning why they don’t have the same things. Additionally, 43.8% admit to feeling jealous of other people’s lives at times. This phenomenon, known as social comparison, often amplifies insecurities rather than highlighting their strengths.
FOMO: The Shadow That Lurks
Picture this—you’re at home, sipping tea, but your phone lights up with party photos from your friends. You’re not there, and it feels like you’re missing something important. That’s FOMO—Fear of Missing Out. Surveys show 71.1% of youth feel this way.
FOMO pushes them to keep up. They buy trendy items they don’t really need or go to events they don’t care about just to stay relevant. This pressure not only shakes their emotions but also leaves a mark on their wallets, raising the question: Is social relevance worth the price they pay?
Productivity: Walking a Thin Line
Like a double-edged sword. For 41.8% of youth, it opens a window to a bigger world. They find supportive communities, inspiration for hobbies, or learning opportunities that were once out of reach. However, like a boat rocked by waves, they are often swept away in endless scrolling. Every wasted minute is a piece of life that will not come back. Social media promises productivity, but like a maze, it often leads to dead ends.
Interaction: Close Yet Far
Social media is a string ; connecting people across the globe. Yet, like an overstretched thread, these connections sometimes snap. Only 37.8% of youth feel that these platforms bring them closer to family and friends in real life. The rest find that intimacy is often replaced by a screen—a thin barrier between them and the real world.
Family dinners are no longer filled with warm conversations but interrupted by constant notifications. Meetings with friends are no longer marked by laughter but by silence, as everyone busily types messages to someone else.
Finding Balance Between Online and Offline
Similar to fire—it can light your way or burn you if you’re not careful. Youth need to use it wisely so it helps them without harming their well-being.
Setting limits on screen time is a good first step. Choosing positive content is another. But the most important thing is remembering that the real world offers experiences no screen can replace—the smell of fresh coffee, the sound of laughter, or the feel of a breeze on your face.
The Takeaway: From Illusion to Reality
Social media creates an exciting but sometimes fake world. Youth need to learn how to use it without losing touch with what’s real. With a little awareness and smart choices, social media can be a tool to grow, not something that holds them back.
In the end, it’s about how they see the mirror—do they use it to reflect on themselves or just get lost in a false image?
This article is also part of the GNFI program under Kampus Merdeka, initiated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of Indonesia. Through this program, we are given the opportunity to learn beyond the university and gain practical experience.
