Social Media in the Construction of Reality

Today, saying that social media shapes reality is not an exaggeration; it’s a fact. Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook are no longer simple entertainment platforms: they are perception factories. They decide what is “trending,” what is “true,” and even who “deserves” attention. The problem is not their existence, but how much we have allowed them to redefine our way of understanding the world.

Social media functions as flawed mirrors: they reflect society, yes, but with filters. On Instagram, the aesthetics of success dominate. On TikTok, speed and humor; on X, indignation and constant debate. And amid so much noise, the line between what is real and what is fabricated becomes blurred. People no longer seek information, they seek validation. And this transforms the way collective reality is constructed.

Various recent studies also indicate that social media has a strong impact on adolescents’ mental health. Although the results are not absolute. Some studies link them to anxiety and depression. Especially when used passively or excessively.

However, when used purposefully or actively, they can promote social connection and reduce isolation. It all depends on the context and the way you interact. During the pandemic, for example, their influence was as mixed as the situation itself. For some, a refuge; for others, a burden. That’s why experts insist on the need for digital education and healthier online environments. To take advantage of the positive without falling into emotional dependence.

Bringing this issue into focus is vital, especially because many still believe that the “virtual” is separate from the “real,” which isn’t the case. What is posted, commented on, and shared creates narratives that affect lives beyond the screen.

The solution isn’t to eliminate social media, but to learn to use it consciously. To question, contrast, and sometimes disconnect. To use it without letting it use us. Because if we let it construct our reality for us, we’ll soon forget how to construct our own.

By: Indira Vania López Samé

Radio Angulo
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