Inquiry Question: Where has true originality and individuality gone; is our society slowly losing authenticity with the constant urge to follow trends?
Research Step 1: What impact has the invention of social media platforms had on the concept of individuality, and are people starting to mirror the actions/images of others?
The invention of social media platforms is arguably one of the most revolutionary creation in all of mankind. In modern day society, various aspects of an individuals daily habits track back to social media. Numerous platforms have become the leading source of where we receive news, trends, and ultimately keep up with friends and family. So this guides me to think, how much of an impact does social media have on us in terms of altering our sense of individuality? One contributing factor to a loss in originality correlates back to likes and comments one may receive on a post. (1) Authenticity can be lost due to the normalization of trends and a sense of urgency to hop onto an imaginary bandwagon. (1) Some people may feel that their Instagram page is curated in a style that gives them the opportunity to express themself. While for others, they may feel that their page is just a blur of their peers, trying to differentiate themself aside others who may be perceived as performative. (1) Discussions can emerge from such complex thoughts such as, Is my page truly a portrayal of who I am, or is it merely a facade curated in an online platform?
An analogy I like to use to describe a scenario like this is using two puzzle pieces. Particularly two pieces that do not align with each other. These two pieces are like people; desperately trying to fit in with each other even when they know internally that their differences are too vast to create a lasting relationship. Just like with social media, one puzzle piece is trying to align with another, despite understanding that it is not their authentic self. In our society, the majority of us like to seemingly ‘fit in’ with the population as it fosters a sense of belonging and comfort. (2) Social media deteriorates one’s sense of individuality, with an increasing amount of people starting to develop the same beliefs as their peers, disrupting and dismissing their own opinions. (2)
Additionally, the rise of social media may also contribute to the increasing amount of imposter syndrome. (3) Due to constant comparison of viewing so called ‘desirable’ lifestyles, we often forget that social media shows unrealistic, highlight reels of another’s life. (3) With this in mind, it is evident how some may feel like their achievements are insufficient in comparison to others. (3) 82% of users on social media say they value content that is authentic according to a recent study. (4) However, engagement is far higher on posts that are perceived as ‘aesthetic’ and ‘polished.’ (4) It is evident that social media is increasingly becoming more performative, creating a decrease in true individuality among the population. (5)
With that being said, what can we do as a society to take initiative and combat this digital epidemic? Well for one, we can try to limit daily social media usage and connect with people without screens to foster a better social environment, and an increasing amount of authentic ideas and perspectives. In addition, try to embrace one’s unique ideas and abilities since we all know that an original is worth more than a copy. Not only does being authentic lead to a better sense of self worth, but also helps align an individual with other people who actually compliment each other; being able to connect the puzzle piece without jamming two pieces that are unable to fit and form a bond.
The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are. – Carl Jung
I hope you picked up a few key points in this Blog Post! Looking forward to my next Blog Post to dissect this subject matter even further!
-Vanessa Vukovic
Resources:
(1) Victoria, B. (2023, August 15). Navigating the digital identity Landscape: Unraveling the psychological and sociological impact of social media – StassOn. StassOn. https://www.stasson.org/the-impact-of-social-media-on-self-identity-formation-a-psychological-and-sociological-perspective/
(2) Dunkle, H. (2023, March 16). Social Media and how it effects individuality: | Applied Social Psychology (ASP) – The Pennsylvania State University. https://sites.psu.edu/aspsy/2023/03/16/social-media-and-how-it-effects-individuality/
(3) Team, C. (2025, July 2). How social media shapes our identity? California Learning Resource Network. https://www.clrn.org/how-social-media-shapes-our-identity/#google_vignette
(4) Esteban, O. O. (2026, April 21). The paradox of authenticity on social media. NetPsychology. https://netpsychology.org/the-paradox-of-authenticity-on-social-media/
(5) Roots, K. (2025, February 24). The decline of authenticity: how social media became a playground for power, and what we can do about it? Kathy Roots. https://kathyroots.substack.com/p/the-decline-of-authenticity-how-social
