Imagine citing a short poem or story in the household or nursery when we were little. We received applause from the other kids and teachers! How happy we felt then. The validation from the peer group was sublime and close to the heart. Even if the numbers were small, the feeling and the people were real. Nowadays, the viral reels or posts get a lot of likes and attention. They get recognition from online strangers, close persons, and stalkers. People feel a certain level of high from this validation.
It’s worth pondering whether the online validation is as genuine as the one we experienced in childhood. In the digital age, we can easily access a broad audience. Our social events, whereabouts, and personal stories are readily available. Yet, the individual bond or essence is lacking in this digital space. People often show a different version of themselves online that does not align with their everyday life.
One’s social media followers, which one flaunts as numbers, are mere bots or fake followers. Even followers or likes are bought these days to create hype on social media. If the video gets a lot of attention, it goes viral. Yet the actual number of authentic viewers remains lower than the projected figures.
To gain online fame, many creators and young people make dangerous, cringe, or even explicit reels to attract more attention. The trend to go viral takes many lives. We often read in the newspapers about individuals being swept away while trekking, at a waterfall, or in a river. The urge to capture every moment of our lives digitally is constant. We share these moments online for others’ gratification. This behavior has led to a psychological need to be validated by others.
People post only carefully crafted success stories on Instagram. They want to showcase how perfect and wholesome their lives are. They like to compare themselves to others. This type of social behavior comes under the category of narcissism. People hide how they actually live and live a double life online.
The social media validation can be toxic, too. In a Raymond ad, the other parents are filming their kids on phones. The kids on stage wait for genuine applause. They are overwhelmed when one real person stands up to applaud. As expected, the kids get absolute joy. Let the kids in our hearts wake up to feel the real charm of offline recognition and warmth. Being applauded by 30 people in a room makes more sense. It is more meaningful than being liked by 300 people on social media!
The Witty Stride 