Why is the mental health of social media influencers at greater risk than that of the average person?

1. Most jobs typically do not provide immediate feedback, but for social media influencers, feedback often comes instantly through likes and shares from fans. While receiving positive feedback can be exhilarating, it can also be a double-edged sword. The more likes we receive, the happier we feel, but this immediate feedback can lead to a rapid increase in our aspirations. For instance, if we were once thrilled to see 100 likes, the next day, that joy may diminish, and we might only feel satisfied with 1,000 likes. Thus, the quick feedback can elevate our ambitions and simultaneously increase the likelihood of dissatisfaction with the feedback we receive.

2. In addition to positive feedback, there is also a significant chance of receiving negative feedback. This negativity can stem from those who disagree with what a social media influencer posts or from keyboard warriors who enjoy criticizing. I don't need to elaborate much on this, as anyone can understand that being criticized can impact your mental state, regardless of whether you claim to be unaffected by it. Being criticized often affects your mental health, even if you say you don't care. (This is simply human nature.)

3. Social media influencers often face pressure to produce content daily, regardless of whether they feel like entertaining anyone that day. If they fail to post regularly, they risk losing viewers and sponsors. It’s no surprise that the burnout rate among social media influencers is quite high.

4. Influencers may frequently have to post content that contradicts their true feelings. For example, if their social media persona is one of constant entertainment, they must maintain that image in their posts, even if their actual feelings are more complex. The conflict between their role as a social media influencer and their true self can lead to confusion and negatively impact their mental health.

5. The content that most people want from social media influencers may not always align with the true “meaning” of being a social media influencer. For instance, audiences may prefer entertaining content over informative or beneficial content that contributes to their long-term happiness. Consequently, content creators may find themselves catering to this demand, producing only entertaining content. Over time, many influencers may question, “What am I doing with my life?” (This point applies to many jobs facing demand-pull from short-term gratification, not just those of social media influencers.) These five major reasons contribute to many social media influencers feeling burnt out or struggling with their mental health (but unable to express it) or feeling confused about their purpose.

A potential way to alleviate and heal from this is to force oneself to take breaks from social media. Try not to read feedback too often, whether positive or negative. Show your true self in various aspects to your fans, demonstrating that you are quite complex, and strive to infuse meaning into your content as much as possible.

SOURCE: www.thaipublica.org