Zaida Jenkins

Many teens start to care more about getting likes than being true to themselves, changing who they are to match what they think others want to see.

In today’s technology-driven world, social media has become a major part of everyday life. With more than half of the global population using platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, many people’s perceptions of themselves and others have shifted significantly. One of the biggest influences is the “heart” button. What started as a simple way to show appreciation for what others post online has now turned into a measure of popularity and even self-worth. Many, especially teens, base their value on how many likes they get instead of who they truly are.

This constant desire for likes can lead users to post content for attention rather than authenticity. Instead of sharing what truly reflects their thoughts, personalities, or experiences, many choose to post what they believe will be popular or widely accepted. This creates a cycle where individuals are afraid to be themselves online, fearing judgment or rejection if their posts don’t receive enough engagement. “People want to post things that influence people so that they can get likes and everything … it’s not actually who they are … they’re just doing it to fit in and get social acceptance,” junior Pressley Watkins said.

Over time, this pressure to perform for likes affects mental health. It can create feelings of anxiety, insecurity, and low self-esteem, especially when comparing oneself to others. Seeing someone else get more likes or attention can make many question their own worth or appearance, even if what’s being shown online isn’t always real. This can lead to the feeling of embarrassment and wanting to delete a post that you made. “I post a video, and [if] it doesn’t get a lot of likes, I feel like there’s no point in posting because people aren’t seeing it,” Watkins said.

Sophomore Avery Minor expresses that she has wanted to delete a post, but never actually has. “I have wanted to, but I’ve never actually done it, because I don’t want to delete the memory. But sometimes it’s embarrassing not to have a large amount of likes,” Minor said.

On a larger scale, this obsession with approval changes how society defines value. Instead of focusing on genuine human connection, creativity, or self-expression, people begin to prioritize digital approval. Authenticity is replaced by performance. What matters is no longer the meaning behind the post, but how well it does. “People don’t post what they truly want to sometimes because they are looking for likes, rather than to just post because they want to,” Minor said.