“Digital Narcissism: Are You Living for ‘Likes’?”

By: MRT Desk

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The mobile phone has become an essential accessory for many people. It is almost impossible to imagine life without it. However, constant seeking of likes, interactions, and comments on social media posts can lead to a form of digital narcissism. Sara Navarrete, a psychologist and the director of the Center for Clinical Psychology and Health in Valencia, explains that this dependency creates an alter ego that does not correspond to reality, leading to serious consequences such as addiction, depression, and fear of being alone.

Navarrete defines a narcissistic person as someone who has a high sense of importance and a need for excessive admiration, constantly seeking attention and privileges from others. Although they may appear confident and superior, their self-esteem is fragile. To avoid falling into the trap of digital narcissism, Navarrete suggests working on self-esteem from an early age as a key solution.

Digital narcissism manifests itself in various ways, including being obsessed with social media, dependency on likes, comments, and publications, depression, anxiety, isolation, and neglect of responsibilities. The psychologist warns that isolation from real-life situations and interactions with loved ones is detrimental to one’s mental and emotional development.

Many people associate their self-worth with the number of likes they receive on their posts, leading to an obsession with seeking social recognition. Using filters to alter reality is also detrimental to self-image, as it hides rejection of oneself and creates false personas.

In conclusion, while social media is a crucial part of modern-day communication, it is essential to use it responsibly and not let it consume our lives. We must learn to love ourselves as we are, accept our virtues and flaws and not compare ourselves with others. Critical thinking, a positive self-image, and strong self-esteem are vital in preventing digital narcissism.

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