Are we programmed? How social media are changing our communication and identity

Social networks have a great influence on communication, perception of the world and shaping of our identity. Thanks to social networks, you have the opportunity to communicate with thousands of people, information is spread in large quantities and faster and faster, so the world can seem smaller and smaller. 

The biggest change in the way of communication is clearly brevity. When Twitter (now X) came up with a 140-character post limit, people asked how it was possible to express yourself in a few words. Gradually, people learned this and adapted their expression into short sentences and paragraphs. 



In addition to communicating briefly, we often use images, gifs or emojis to express ourselves. All of this can affect how we have longer, deeper, more personal conversations in real life. Here are other points where psychology affects our behavior on social networks:

Why we like to like, comment and do we share?

Likes and comments are designed to maintain relationships and increase interactions> between people. With these "gestures" we express belonging and support to other users. I give away likes in many cases because we feel that we want to give them back to others. Comments have more power than they might first appear because they can influence opinion on the author of the post, or, in the case of a brand, they know how to increase its credibility. 

By sharing other posts, we express our attitudes, opinions, and impart information, an impulse that we as humans are strongly connected to. In addition to strengthening relationships, interactions can also change the algorithm, which you can read more about here ⬇️. 

Identity development

People, especially at a young age, are greatly influenced by the content they see on social networks. They can join different social groups with common interests and thus create their identity. For teenagers, they represent a kind of safe home where their peers understand them, have common topics and can express themselves safely. In addition, sharing content and keeping in touch with friends is part of creating an identity on social networks. 

The digital world can also be an unpleasant place, where young people also encounter cyberbullying, anxiety and comparison. Social networks therefore offer a unique opportunity to find and develop one's identity, but it is important that they are guided and supported in their use and thus avoid possible risks.

Dopamine and Addiction

The factors mentioned above can influence our addiction on social networks. Positive feedback from followers can be addictive because it triggers dopamine receptors in the brain, which makes us feel rewarded. 

These dopamine boosts can be addictive and make us not want to do anything else. Among other things, this can lead to a comparison of, for example, the number of likes or the quality of the content. There's nothing wrong with rewarding your brain with a quick burst of dopamine, as long as we're aware of it and can control it.

Don't worry, there are positives too

Social networks also have positive pages. The first of them is finding like-minded people or people with common interests. Another positive is keeping in touch with family and loved ones who have moved away, especially through video calls or sending photos and messages. 

Social networks can also help you with education. There are many creators who create interesting and engaging content that will teach you something new or give you tips to help you learn or write your final papers. Developing creativity or motivation are also positive social networks, but it is important to follow the right creators and a good algorithm setting.

As we have already mentioned, social networks change our communication in both positive and negative ways. Despite the challenges they bring, don't be afraid to use them and use their potential to enrich your life. If they are used responsibly and with awareness of their effects, they can help you with your education or develop your creativity. Join groups with common interests and stay in touch with loved ones. Good luck!