How Social Media and Technology Are Shaping Our Perception of Reality
Notwithstanding Aristotle’s Metaphysics, semantics- A.J Ayers, and plato’s concept of Epistemology -Social media and the technology revolution have profoundly impacted how we perceive the world around us, from shaping our opinions to altering our understanding of what’s “real.” Through the lens of the 5W1H framework (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How), we can explore how social media and digital technology are augmenting—and sometimes distorting—our perception of reality.
1. Who: Who Is Affected by the Digital Perception Shift?
Almost everyone who uses digital technology today experiences a shift in perception, but the impact varies across demographics:
• Young audiences: Digital natives—those who grew up with social media—often blend the digital with the physical world seamlessly, with a tendency to see online connections and virtual experiences as equally “real.”
• Adults and older generations: For those who experienced a pre-social media world, digital perceptions may feel layered on top of a “real world” experience, leading to a blend of nostalgia and adaptation.
• Brands, creators, and influencers: These individuals play a significant role in shaping collective reality by curating images, stories, and messages that influence trends and ideas, sometimes setting unrealistic standards for others.
The global reach of social media means that digital realities affect everyone, creating new norms for perception and behavior that can feel universally pervasive.
2. What: What Aspects of Reality Are Altered by Technology?
Social media and technology change how we perceive many aspects of reality, including:
• Beauty standards: Filters, editing tools, and influencer culture promote an idealized version of beauty, which can impact people’s self-esteem and how they view others.
• News and information: With instant access to global events, we can feel overwhelmed or even disoriented by a constant influx of news, including misinformation.
• Relationships and social connections: Digital communication allows for connections that may feel authentic online, even with people we’ve never met. This changes our understanding of friendship, support, and companionship.
• Success and lifestyle aspirations: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok showcase highlights and achievements, often without the backstory. This can skew our perception of success, creating pressure to “keep up” with seemingly effortless accomplishments.
These altered perceptions blur the lines between online narratives and personal experience, changing how we define everything from beauty to belonging.
3. Where: Where Do We Experience This Augmented Reality?
Our augmented reality unfolds in multiple spaces:
• Social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and other social platforms showcase curated lives and selective information, blending public and private reality.
• Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR): The rise of AR and VR devices—like Snapchat filters, VR headsets, and digital avatars—creates spaces where we can experience alternate versions of reality and even redefine our own self-image.
• Physical spaces with digital overlays: AR applications like Google Maps or games like Pokémon Go add digital information over physical locations, blending the virtual with the real world in public and private spaces alike.
This augmentation is not confined to one area; it’s a seamless blend of physical and digital spaces, challenging us to see reality through an interconnected lens.
4. When: When Did This Shift in Reality Perception Begin?
The shift began with the early stages of the internet and social media platforms but has accelerated significantly over the past two decades:
• Early 2000s: The internet became more accessible, and platforms like MySpace and Facebook emerged, introducing the idea of a “digital self.”
• 2010s: The smartphone revolution and apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter redefined social interaction, making “highlight reels” a part of daily life.
• Present day: Advanced technologies such as AR, VR, and AI-powered filters have further blurred the lines between digital and physical reality, giving us tools to create, manipulate, and project new versions of ourselves and our world instantly.
The timeline reveals a fast-paced evolution that reflects how deeply integrated digital augmentation has become in our lives.
5. Why: Why Are We So Drawn to Augmented Reality?
Several psychological and social factors drive our attraction to digitally augmented reality:
• Connection: Social media offers a way to stay connected, share experiences, and feel a sense of belonging—even across distances.
• Validation: Likes, comments, and shares offer instant validation, reinforcing our desire to present curated versions of ourselves that may not fully align with reality.
• Escape: Augmented realities, especially in virtual spaces, offer an escape from routine, allowing people to experience fantastical versions of themselves or their surroundings.
• Curiosity and creativity: Digital tools and platforms allow us to explore and experiment, fueling creativity by giving us the power to curate a new version of ourselves or an alternate worldview.
These motivations reveal that our engagement with augmented reality is both personal and collective, serving as an outlet for expression, connection, and exploration.
6. How: How Can We Use Social Media and Technology Mindfully?
To navigate augmented reality responsibly, it’s essential to strike a balance between the digital and the real. Here are some ways to do so:
• Set boundaries for digital consumption: Limit social media use and practice “digital detoxes” to reconnect with physical reality and develop a clearer sense of perspective.
• Question digital content: Practice critical thinking by questioning sources of information and recognizing edited or filtered images to avoid letting curated content shape self-worth.
• Prioritize real-world connections: While online interactions are meaningful, prioritize face-to-face experiences that offer deeper, more grounded relationships.
• Leverage technology for positive growth: Use digital tools for personal growth, like educational content, skill-building apps, or supportive online communities that enrich your perception rather than distort it.
Using technology intentionally allows us to enjoy its benefits while maintaining a healthy, authentic perception of reality.
Conclusion
The technology revolution and social media have transformed how we perceive reality, affecting everything from self-image to social norms. By examining the 5W1H—Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How—we gain insight into this complex relationship, understanding both its allure and its pitfalls. Embracing augmented reality mindfully empowers us to engage with digital spaces in a way that enriches, rather than distorts, our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.