By Jazmine Ramirez
Gabriella Quiñones, senior psychology major, expresses her emotions on a personal level on
what social media has impacted her in her life. From the day she got her first social media app to
the way she views media now as a phychology major.
What social media platform do you use the most?
Quiñones: Instagram.
What platform do you think is the worst for you individually?
Quiñones: Instagram.
Do you use social media in a healthy way?
Quiñones: No.
Do you take social media seriously? How serious?
Quiñones: I take it too seriously.
Do you see this more as a job of posting only the best things or for your own benefit?
Quiñones: I see both, but when posting on Instagram I think way more about it then I should, so I
would say it is more like a job. I want everything to look aesthetically pleasing and satisfying.
Do you think you have fallen into a hole where social media will be hard if you ever
wanted to quit?
Quiñones: Yes, I think that social media is an addiction in its own way. I think that posting
something to get some type of affirmation from someone else is addicting. It gives me a rush in a
way to see that someone that I would want to like my picture, liked my picture. I see many
people taking social media breaks and I don’t think I could ever take a break which sounds bad
to say but its the truth of myself and probably many people.
What age did you start social media?
Quiñones: I started social media at a young age, I was probably 9 or 10.
Do you think starting that young affected you then?
Quiñones: Yes, I think starting young and being exposed to social media has had a negative impact
of my self concept. I struggle with being secure with who I am and what I look like. I know this
is an issue that many people have but have also overcome it. I think the constant need for
validation has impacted how I think about myself and not being content with myself. I want
others’ validation to tell me that I look good instead of believing I look good.
As a psychology major, do you see the negative effect social media has on others?
Quiñones: Yes I do. Social media has a negative impact on self concept and what life should be like.
Everything on social media is essentially “perfect” and there is no room to be different so many
people try to fit into that stereotype or construct that society tells us what we should be through
social media.
Have you seen a difference in yourself where you physically feel social media taking a
negative toll on you?
Quiñones: Yes. I am more self conscious of my body and I feel I have developed body dysmorphia
because I go through phases where I want to work out and don’t and I see a difference in my
body and then I freak out because its not what society says it should be.
It is important to recognize the effects that social media has on your life. Whether it is the same
for you or different, social media has impacted you in some sort of way. Recognize how to
understand how to improve your life as a whole. Social media is not always the bad guy but if it is in your life, reducing it may help a bunch.
