This document discusses how perception and self-image are everything in today's distracted, online world. Millennials are willing to sacrifice privacy to curate their ideal self-image and gain social acceptance on social media. Constant connectivity through smartphones encourages social comparison and influences behavior. People use social media to broadcast a perceived level of happiness, look adventurous through food photos, and show support for causes and companies. There is a drive to develop personal brands and networks to gain advantages. However, it is unclear if constantly curating self-image online provides more value than real-world engagement and philanthropy. Clicks and likes are necessary for awareness but many people do not take further action.

1. Perception is
Everything:
the hunt for acceptance &
a strong self-image.
Photo, cc: escapedtowisconsin - https://www.flickr.com/photos/69805768@N00
By: Jaclyn Sucharda

2. We are living in a distracted world...1
...but we never lose focus on ourselves.
Photo, cc: malloreigh - https://www.flickr.com/photos/71475737@N00

3. 88% of millennials have a Facebook account.3
Photo, cc: ºNit Soto - https://www.flickr.com/photos/21793854@N02
Millennials are willing to sacrifice online privacy for the
creation of their ideal self-image & social acceptance.1/2

4. Photo, cc: familymwr - https://www.flickr.com/photos/36196762@N04
“Each of us is in our own bubble,
furiously connected to
keyboards and touch screens.” 4
- Sherry Turkle
1 in 4 teens are constantly online.2

5. Photo, cc: AMERICANVIRUS - https://www.flickr.com/photos/29652825@N08
“Conditioned to project only our best, albeit unrealistic,
selves on our social media profiles as a modern way of
virtually keeping up with the Joneses.” 6
- Kelsey Sunstrum
Constant connectivity encourages social comparison.5

6. Photo, cc: Nathan Congleton - https://www.flickr.com/photos/32279598@N02
“Curating the exhibition of
the self has become a
24/7 occupation.” 2
- Stephen Marche

7. Photo, cc: Jason A. Howie - https://www.flickr.com/photos/40493340@N00
“I share, therefore I am.”7
- Sherry Turkle
Constantly checking social
media and being online
influences what we do
and effects our
personality. 8

8. What we do…
Our food reflects power, class &
ethnic status while having the
potential to make us look
adventurous, trendy or healthy.2/9
Foodstagramming
is a form identity work.2
Photo, cc: Viktor Hanacek - https://picjumbo.com/girl-
taking-a-photo-of-her-food-with-iphone/

9. Photo, cc: Pedro Midena - https://www.flickr.com/photos/61097578@N08
To display a perceived level
of happiness and love, we
“Facebook together”
by posting couplies.10
What we do…

10. Photo, cc: nan palmero - https://www.flickr.com/photos/97402086@N00
We develop our personal campaigns and strive to
brand ourselves as public experts.11
Our goal is to develop a fan base or a
network who support our image.11

11. Because a good
reputation matters
and can have major
advantages.11
“As students' use of social media is growing, there's a whole
variety of ways that college admissions officers can use it.” 12
- Beth A. Wiser
Photo, cc: KJGarbutt - https://www.flickr.com/photos/25187937@N05

12. Photo, cc: Artotem - https://www.flickr.com/photos/27698646@N04
We enjoy giving…
…and the benefits
that come along
with it.13

13. Photo, cc: sudobeer - https://www.flickr.com/photos/51035532901@N01
“When we make a decision, especially good ones – like a contribution
to a cause – we want our friends and family, and our entire social
media network to know about it.”13
– Kadi McDonald

14. We share pages
and adjust our
personal settings to
show support.
60% of
consumers value
buying from socially
responsible
companies.14
Ice Bucket Challenge Photo, cc: slgckgc - https://www.flickr.com/photos/14771153@N04
France Flag Photo, cc: Free Grunge Textures - www.freestock.ca - https://www.flickr.com/photos/80497449@N04
TOMS Shoes Photo, cc: Free Grunge Textures - www.freestock.ca - https://www.flickr.com/photos/80497449@N04

15. Photo, cc: Israel D - https://www.flickr.com/photos/10067855@N02
Gamification &
Social Good
Companies are
purposely using
gaming such as raffles
to connect and
engage millennials
online.13

16. Photo, cc: dak1b2006 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/27410306@N06
But is our self-image
gaining more than we
are giving?
“It matters
what others
think.”13
- Sidneyeve Matrix

17. 64% who have liked
are more inclined to
show their support in
other ways…
…yet only 1 in 4
act.13Photo, CC0 -
https://pixabay.com/en/blood-
donation-give-732298/

18. We are NOT “slacking” if we are
building awareness.13
In a world of constant distraction, overexposure is necessary to
encourage motivation. We are building our civic identity, but every
“click” or every “like” is another reminder.13
Photo, cc: Viktor Hanacek - https://picjumbo.com/
man-browsing-on-his-phone-while-packing/

19. Ladder - Photo, cc: danmachold - https://www.flickr.com/photos/55569773@N00
A new 1st step on the engagement ladder.13
“Social media, smart phones, and
tablets have since ushered in an era of
crowdfunding and micro-philanthropy,
that are revolutionizing how people
can make social impact.”15
- Harrison Robert
Facebook Like - Photo, CC0: - https://pixabay.com/en/like-internet-website-www-pc-site-1174811/

20. “They keep our concerns and our objectives part of the conversation. And
they help us make sure that the world’s most vulnerable children and their
families are not forgotten.”16
- Caryl M. Stern
Photo, CC0 - https://pixabay.com/en/office-keyboard-job-work-381228/
Clicks are important, they keep us talking.

21. Photo, cc: mkhmarketing - https://www.flickr.com/photos/93212162@N08
Our constant online connection to a virtual reality has created an
obsession with self-image, which just might be the driving force
behind a change in philanthropy.15

22. Photo, cc: markkilner - https://www.flickr.com/photos/60298464@N00
Works Cited
(1) Matrix, Sidneyeve. "Module 01: Digital Literacies". 2016. Presentation.
(2) Matrix, Sidneyeve. "Module 02: Online Friendship". 2016. Presentation.
(3) Bennett, Shea. "How Many Millennials, Gen Xers And Baby Boomers Use
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June 2016.
(4) Turkle, Sherry. "The Flight From Conversation". The New York Times. N.p.,
2012. Web. 10 May 2016.
(5) Konnikova, Maria. "How Facebook Makes Us Unhappy". The New Yorker. N.p.,
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(6) Sunstrum, Kelsey. "How Social Media Affects Our Self-Perception | World Of
Psychology". World of Psychology. N.p., 2014. Web. 1 June 2016.
(7) Turkle, Sherry. "The Documented Life". The New York Times. N.p., 2012. Web.
10 May 2016.
(8) Thomas, Carolyn. "Dr. Sherry Turkle: "I Share, Therefore I Am“”. The Ethical
Nag. N.p., 2012. Web. 2 June 2016.

23. Photo, cc: markkilner - https://www.flickr.com/photos/60298464@N00
Works Cited
(9) Boston, Michelle. "Foodstagram > News > USC Dornsife". Dornsife.usc.edu.
N.p., 2014. Web. 2 June 2016.
(10) Tirosh, Udi. "Study Shows: Posting Photos With Significant Other On Social
Media Increases Chances Of Not Breaking Up - DIY Photography". DIY
Photography. N.p., 2015. Web. 1 June 2016.
(11) Clark, Dorie. "It’s Not A Job Search, It’S A Permanent Campaign". Harvard
Business Review. N.p., 2012. Web. 30 May 2016.
(12) Singer, Natasha. "They Loved Your G.P.A. Then They Saw Your Tweets". The
New York Times. N.p., 2016. Web. 30 May 2016.
(13) Matrix, Sidneyeve. “Module 04: Social Good”. 2016. Presentation.
(14) Schwartz, Ariel. "Consumers Care About Buying From Socially Responsible
Brands Now More Than Ever". Co.Exist. N.p., 2013. Web. 31 May 2016.
(15) Harrison, Robert. "Five Things We Learned In 2015 About The Future Of
Philanthropy". Quartz. N.p., 2016. Web. 3 June 2016.
(16) M. Stern, Caryl. "In Praise Of Clicktivism". The Huffington Post. N.p., 2015.
Web. 30 May 2016.