Social Media: Why do we like getting likes? | Newsround

Summary

The video explores the impact of social media likes on self-perception, influencer culture, and mental well-being. It discusses how likes can affect users' views of themselves, leading to feelings of inadequacy or competition, especially for influencers. While social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube acknowledge the issue, they are taking steps to improve user well-being, such as hiding like counts. Psychologists emphasize that likes don’t define a person’s worth, and the real value lies in personal satisfaction and self-expression, rather than external validation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social media likes play a significant role in shaping people's self-esteem and self-perception.
• 😀 High numbers of likes on a post can boost one's self-image, while low likes can lead to feelings of inadequacy.
• 😀 Influencers, especially those who rely on social media for their income, experience competitive pressure based on like counts.
• 😀 Social media likes can lead to unhealthy competition, where creators focus on gaining likes and followers rather than creating content they enjoy.
• 😀 The emphasis on likes can negatively affect young people, making them feel pressured to look a certain way or fit specific standards to gain validation.
• 😀 Some suggest removing like counts on social media platforms to reduce the focus on popularity and promote healthier online interactions.
• 😀 Experts, like psychologists, stress that likes do not define a person's worth and that self-esteem should not be tied to online validation.
• 😀 Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are working to make their platforms safer by offering more control over features like hiding like counts.
• 😀 Likes can be useful for social interaction, but they shouldn't be viewed as the sole measure of success or personal value.
• 😀 Despite the pressure social media can place on individuals, content creators should focus on enjoying their work rather than obsessing over likes and numbers.

Q & A

What is the first word that comes to mind when thinking of influencers with a lot of likes on social media?

The first word that comes to mind is 'power'—as influencers with a lot of likes are often seen as popular and likable.

How do social media likes affect how we view ourselves?

Social media likes can cause people to view themselves in a more positive light if they receive a lot, but if they receive fewer likes, it may negatively affect their self-image, leading them to think people don’t like them.

What role do likes play in the world of influencers and social media?

Likes play a significant role in determining popularity and success on social media. Influencers often depend on the number of likes and followers to attract brands and grow their careers.

What happens when an influencer’s posts receive a large number of likes versus very few likes?

An influencer may feel validated and encouraged when receiving many likes, but if they receive only a few, it can lead to self-doubt and a negative self-view.

What is Kyron's perspective on relying on likes as an influencer?

Kyron expresses that while likes are important, focusing too much on them can make the experience less enjoyable. He believes that having fun with content and engaging with followers naturally leads to success.

What changes would Kyron make to the social media like system?

Kyron would remove the spotlight from people with the most money or the best looks, as he feels this creates pressure to conform. He also suggests removing like counts across all apps and allowing users to filter certain comments.

Do social media likes tell us who a person truly is?

Likes can reveal certain preferences or interests, but they don't define a person. People should understand that their value is not determined by the number of likes they get.

How does a psychologist view the impact of likes on young people’s self-perception?

A psychologist believes that while likes might influence how people perceive themselves, it should not change their core self-worth. The psychologist emphasizes that social media is just one aspect of a person, and there's much more to an individual beyond their online presence.

What have TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube said about the impact of likes on young people?

These platforms have acknowledged the impact of likes on well-being. TikTok focuses on ensuring a safe environment, Instagram offers users more control over like counts, and YouTube has hidden dislike counts to protect users.

What is the perspective of people who don’t care about likes on social media?

Some individuals, like the person in the transcript, view likes as unimportant. They focus more on whether they are personally happy with their content, rather than seeking validation through likes.