The document discusses how the rise of social media and online communication has impacted individuals and society. It notes that Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook, which now has nearly 600 million users. Additionally, it explores how social media allows constant communication but may be contributing to narcissism, insecurity, and a lack of empathy in users. Young people especially are increasingly seeking validation online rather than focusing on meaningful relationships. This "digital self" prioritizes approval and selective image curation over face-to-face interactions, potentially separating people despite connecting them.

1. THE DIGITAL SELF
Image By: Ricky Montalvo

2. Image by Codmastersnake,
Flikr

3. The creator of Facebook Mark
Zucherberg (Time Magazines
person of the year 2010, is both a
product and architect of his time,
connecting 600 million people
instantly.
Facebook alone has nearly 600 million users. “It is the
connective tissue for nearly a tenth of the planet.”
Source: Time Magazine Article: Person of the Year 2010
Image By Leandro Agro , Flikr

4. Our capacity for friendships and social
connections is developing at a rapid
and unimaginable pace
Image By: Andrew Feinberg, Flikr

5. With mobile technology,
communication is instant, it is
everywhere we are.
Image By: Kamshots, Flikr

6. However, despite its growing level
of convenience, We should not
only question the impact social
media has had on interpersonal
interactions, but also, its impact
on the self
Source: Tamara Hicks, Psychology today Article “Take
Time away from Technology”
Image By: Olle Svensson, Flikr

7. How has the nature of
individuals changed as a result
in this evolution of
communication?
Image By: Nkoyued, Flikr

8. Image by: Andrew Galoida,
Flikr
The convenience of online communication
has potentially had a concerning
contribution to such things as Narcissism,
insecurity and an empathy deficit in
people. Source: Keitth O’Brien, The Empathy Deficit

9. Remember when toddlers grew
up with security blankets, stuffed
animals ,and imaginary friends?
These were their source of
security and safety.
Image by: Abby Batchelder, Flikr

10. As adults, we now share a communal
security blanket: Technology. Without
it, We are lost and feel withdrawn from
the world.
Image by: Edlyn Canillo,
Flikr

11. Image By: Las- Initially, Flikr
Without constant use of technology to communicate ,
the self experiences Separation Anxiety, which leads
to the question:
Can one relax when they are not immediately
accessible?
Source: Tamara Hicks, Psychology today Article “Take Time away from Technology”

12. Young people continually share
what they are feeling throughout
the entire day, in an addictive
manner. They rely on other
people’s feedback to understand
and know how to perceive their
world.
Image by: Will Lion, Flikr

13. People search for validation and
even self esteem through their
presence online.
Image By: CogDogBlog, Flikr

14. Their online profiles are
a way of feeling liked
and being popular. The
importance of quantity
of “friends” could
potentially be
surpassing the
importance of
meaningful
relationships.
Image By: FindYourSearch, Flikr

15. People can control their image
selectively and create a presence
that they want others to see
Image by: Electric_Kitty, Flikr

16. According to a study on young people today and
their sense of empathy, “today’s students are
generally less likely to describe themselves as
“soft-hearted” or to have “tender, concerned
feelings” for others.” This may be attributed to the
Image By: WROTE, Flikr
fast rise in online usage and social media.
Source: Keith O’Brien, The Empathy Deficit

17. “They might be constantly aware
of their friends’ whereabouts, but
all that connectedness
doesn’t seem to be translating to
genuine concern for the world and
one another.”
Source: Keith O’Brien, The Empathy Deficit
Image By: Ifraud, Flikr

18. What does this
lack of empathy
This growing lack of empathy and about people
say
narcissistic usage of social media
today and
is becoming an unconscious part people of the
of our interaction. future?
It is a
substantial
concern with the
use of
technology and
it is clear that
people as
individuals are
changing in
nature.

19. Despite its use as a connector
between people, is social media
actually separating people from
face-to-face interactions?
Image By: PhotoOptik365, Flikr

20. Image By: Maxwell GS, Flikr
With this growing need for This is the
approval, this lack of emphasis on
meaningful relationships, and this digital self of
greater sense of narcissism ,the today.
fear of being alone grows along
with it.