An examination of three traits encouraged by social networks--narcissism, insecurity, and isolation--that lead to negative behaviours among users and, ultimately, unhappiness.

1. SOCIAL MEDIA and HAPPINESS
Image:
Flickr
user
Antoine
Robiez
Aashna Kumar

2. 14 million
Canadians log
into Facebook
every day
Two in three
Canadians are
active on
social media
websites
Social media keeps us connected, but
does connectivity equal fulfillment?
One in three
Canadians says
they can’t go a
day without
checking social
media
Image:
Flickr
user
Mike
Licht

3. Social media may lead to decreased
happiness because it encourages negative
traits and behaviours
NARCISSISM
INSECURITY
ISOLATION
Image:
Wikimedia
Commons
user
Nedim
Ardoga

4. NARCISSISM
An inflated sense of self-importance and a deep need
for admiration
Correlated with reacting negatively to criticism and
helping self at the expense of others
Image:
The
Beggar’s
Blog

5. Users engage in narcissistic behaviour online when they over share
in order to gain attention and approval from others in the form of
likes, replies, reposts, etc. This approval and attention makes
narcissists feel more valued. Image:
Flickr
user
Mike
Licht

6. Narcissists can also use social media to amass a large
following of loyal friends, subscribers, connections,
etc. Having lots of followers makes narcissists feel
significant and special.
Image:
Wikimedia
Commons
user
Shakko

7. 2011 study: “Facebook users have higher levels of total narcissism,
exhibitionism, and leadership than Facebook nonusers. Facebook
specifically gratifies the narcissistic individual’s need to engage in self-
promoting and superficial behavior.” (Ryan & Xenos)
Image:
Flickr
user
Mike
Licht

8. INSECURITY
Lack of confidence and self-assurance
Correlated with depression and
uncertainty
Image:
Flickr
user
Jason
Stadnik

9. A lack of
followers and
online approval
can lead to self-
doubt,
questioning one’s
own popularity,
and disapproving
one’s own public
portrayal
Image:
Wikimedia
Commons
user
Nedim
Ardoga

10. “4 in 10 social network users in Canada
have been cyberbullied”
Any form of bullying, abuse, and harassment
leads to decreased self-value and insecurity
Image:
Nina
Turns
40

11. “A girl’s social networking profile is a persona she
constructs…providing the answers to burning social
questions like, What do other people think of me?
Do people like me? Am I normal? Am I popular? Am I
cool?”
“With people posting only the best parts of their
lives on Facebook, it’s hard not to compare yourself
to others.”
Image:
Flickr
user
Jason
Stadnik

12. ISOLATION To be destitute of companionship, to lose
value in relationships
Can increase stress levels and blood pressure,
thus decreasing quality of life
Image:
Flickr
user
Hartwig
HKD

13. When social media users build connections online by typing, they are
only using words, which is 7% of all communication.
It is harder to develop rich relationships online than face-to-face.
But social media places so much importance on online friendships.
Image:
Flickr
user
Hartwig
HKD

14. When users see others posting online about social events that the user
did not attend, the user feels alone, left out, lacking valuable
relationships, and ultimately isolated.
Image:
Flickr
user
Hartwig
HKD

15. 2011 study: “As people invest time building…social
networks online, the quality of their offline networks and
relationships diminishes” (University of Maryland,
College Park).
Image:
Flickr
user
Hartwig
HKD

16. Social media encourages self-destructive
thinking and behaviours
NARCISSISM: aggressive, egotistic behaviours
INSECURITY: high risk of depression, devaluing self-worth
ISOLATION: high stress, loneliness
Image:
Flickr
user
Andrew
PrickeJ

17. When narcissists don’t receive the approval and attention they
crave, they are likely to feel insecure about their perceived self.
Highly insecure people are more likely to isolate themselves from
their peers. “An insecure person…feels rejected by people, that
may lead to antisocial behaviour.”
Image:
Flickr
user
Ian
Sane

18. “A longitudinal study of Swedish women demonstrated a strong
link between levels of narcissism in youth and levels of loneliness in
old age. The connection is fundamental. Narcissism is the flip side
of loneliness, and either condition is a fighting retreat from the
messy reality of other people.”
Image:
Pixabay
user
PublicDomainPictures

19. On social media, users
maintain constant
positive self-
presentation, and
highly value
happiness.
Study: “Under conditions of low (but not high) life stress, the more
people valued happiness, the lower were their hedonic balance,
psychological well-being, and life satisfaction, and the higher their
depression symptoms” (Mauss).
Image:
DeviantArt
user
Ph1at1ine

20. Stay happy and connected
Set aside a time each day to unplug from social media
Try to have one meaningful face-to-face conversation every day
Be positive online and avoid making negative comments to others
Be careful with posting to prevent over-sharing
Image:
Flickr
user
Marcy
Kellar

21. Social media can cause negative symptoms that lead to unhappiness.
However, by effectively managing social media consumption, narcissism, insecurity, and
isolation can be avoided!
“It isn't what you have or
who you are or where you
are or what you are doing
that makes you happy or
unhappy. It is what you
think about it.” – Dale
Carnegie
Image:
Flickr
user
Thomas
Hawk

22. Works Cited
Jacobs, Tom. "Study Links Facebook Use With Narcissism." Pacific Standard. Pacific
Standard, 17 Mar. 2011. Web. 19 May 2014.
Lavine, Lindsay. "Want To Be Happier? Stop Comparing Yourself To What You See
On Social Media." Fast Company. N.p., 10 Mar. 2014. Web. 20 May 2014.
Marche, Stephen. "Is Facebook Making Us Lonely?" The Atlantic. Atlantic Media
Company, 02 Apr. 2012. Web. 18 May 2014.
Negroni, Jon. "Social Media Is Making Us More Insecure." Jon Negroni. N.p., 24 May
2013. Web. 20 May 2014.
"Surprise! Narcissism Linked to Frequent Facebook and Twitter Use." Time.com. Time
Inc., 12 June 2013. Web. 21 May 2014.
University of Maryland, College Park, University of Maryland, College Park. "Students
around the World Report Being Addicted to Media, Study Finds." ScienceDaily.
ScienceDaily, 5 Apr. 2011. Web. 20 May 2014.
Warrell, Margie. "Seduced by Social Media: Is Facebook Making You Lonely?" The
Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 08 Nov. 2013. Web. 20 May 2014.
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