Facebook Breeds Jealousy and False Picture of Real Life

          by Vic Odarve

Although Facebook connects friendship and makes the world smaller, it also breeds jealousy and distorts a real-life picture. Beautiful pictures, family successes, job satisfactions, spending vacations abroad, etc. posted in one's wall often stir envy among your so - called friends and close acquaintances. Facebook also gives a distorted picture of one's real life; portrays only beautiful images of the posts and not even one of the failures. But we all know that the life's equation does not always turn out that way, hence Facebook often breeds jealousy and false pictures of the real life. 

At 2-yr old, Ketket has its own FB account

Facebook stirs up an intense feeling of envy. We can see on posts routinely boasting beautiful houses, brand new vehicles, successful children, and going on holidays abroad. Thus, a comparison takes place. Constant updates may lead some people comparing themselves with others and probably get more envious, learning about their achievements and overtaking them their lifestyles. As a result, depression, frustration, dissatisfaction, and other negative emotions set in.

Facebook also gives us a false picture in our friends and relatives in their real lives. They may be more likely to trumpet their successes than failures and put more photos and updates of their beautiful lives than moments of desperation. All these things generate an impression that they are living a much better life than their peers. Some friends spend time creating their own profile, adding pictures and information about themselves to show the world their high profile in society. One thing is clear; they do not share pictures or information which puts their life in a negative light; in the process, giving a distorted scenario that what their life is really like. 

Atong learned the FB from his Lolo

One of my friends with Facebook looks very impressive; all pictures and achievements and successes in life everybody can admire of. When I visited them a few months ago, his family seemed perfect; beautiful home with three kids, beautiful cars of latest model, and have beautiful wife managing a good company. And he was just promoted as an executive in a big corporation making his career in high gear. But spending a weekend with them, I noticed their families was not a happy one. There seemed to be a feeling of disunity among them, negative attitude of the children is clear, and love insecurity, etc. The wholesome relationship was obviously missing… an ingredient that cannot be filled up with all the material things and work successes they have possessed. All these negatives in life were not posted on Facebook. 

Feeling left behind from friends

On Facebook, envy and false impression can proliferate much more easily because of links to other social media; thus, can make people feel much worse about their own lives. But on the other hand, it is the simplest way among the social platforms to connect like-minded people by seeing their interests, culture, and religion. It is a social platform where the world comes together.

But like a coin it has two side, one must use the site thoughtfully to minimize risk and being aware of the drawbacks of social media sites. The thing is clear; do not envy on the impressive pictures your friends have posted on their Facebook. They are merely an impression of being strong but deep inside in their lives are the upsets and sorrowful pictures drawn into oblivion.