Social media has become a vital component to many teenagers lives. It uses images, filters, and collages which serves the purpose of forming a social newspaper for our generation. Teenagers such as Lilli Hymowitz, also known as “The Prom Queen of Instagram” illustrates how apps such as Instagram have power and impact over social relations, self representation and online communication causing interactivity anxiety.
Baym’s idea of technological determinism demonstrates how machines have the power and ability to change people and how they interact. She states how “Rather than “using it”, people may be “used by it” (29) In relation to the article, Hymowitz is an example of how people are used by technology since her popularity is dependent on her social media and followers. I chose this perspective because it represents the power of technology and how it affects social interactions by people adapting to technological characteristics. It has the ability to allow us to create our image while changing our behaviour to favour technology. I believe it reflects the article well because Lilli Hymowitz’s story shows us how machines change how people perceive us.
Most youth and celebrities use social media to showcase their materials, adventures and experiences to show evidence of their glamorous lifestyle. People such as Lilli create Instagram persona’s also known as “ego’s” using filters and angles to represent themselves in a favourable way. This can stem from social anxiety and the need to fit into a culture where “the perfect Instagram” is a compliment. Within the interview, Lilli Hymowitz’s close friends admit that Lilli is nothing like the cool, tough person people admire on her social media. This reflects technological determinism by illustrating how a machine changed Lilli’s image and impressions she makes on others. Lilli shows that although she has thousands of followers and people in awe of her, she has approximately ten real friends.
She shows her self consciousness when she claims she deleted old elementary school pictures because they didn’t match her current personality. Also, she says “I think people think I’m cooler than I am” which illustrates how she is anxious that people expect so much from her because she is constantly trying to impress people with her lavish lifestyle.There is a lot of pressure on her to sustain her popularity and self image by continuous interesting updates. People create false representations of themselves by trying to be someone they're not or using so much editing that their Instagram’s represent a false reality. People use social media platforms to fit in with current trends and receive attention through likes, comments and follows. Evidently, Instagram illustrates teens need for acceptance and popularity through social media to present themselves in the best light.
-Justine
I definitely agree that new digital media, like Instagram, has revolutionized the way people interact with one another. The popularity of these kinds of platforms encourages users to adhere to specific standards that commonly dictate their behaviours. It appears as though people are devaluing spontaneity and living in the moment, in exchange for contrived daily routines in the hopes of capturing that perfect moment for Instagram.
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