A few days ago, I came across a deeply disturbing incident—a young girl, barely in her twenties, live-streamed her own suicide. Her final moments were not spent in the company of loved ones or in quiet contemplation, but in front of an invisible audience, a digital crowd that watched helplessly. This wasn’t just another tragic case of mental health struggles; it was a loud, piercing alarm that something is fundamentally broken in the world we live in today.
The world of social media, once meant to connect us, has morphed into something far more sinister. It is no longer a tool but an addiction, an identity, and for many, a prison. The unrelenting pressure to look good, be perfect, and curate an enviable life has become a burden too heavy for many to bear. We are witnessing a generation growing up in a digital fishbowl, where self-worth is measured by likes, comments, and shares rather than real experiences, emotions, and human connections.
The Social Media Trap: A Carefully Constructed Illusion
What we see on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok is not real life; it is a highly filtered, carefully edited version of reality. Everyone is flaunting their best moments—vacations, gym selfies, expensive brunches, and happy relationships. What we don’t see are the struggles behind those smiles, the loneliness behind those group pictures, and the insecurity behind every perfect selfie.
The problem? Many people, especially the younger generation, fail to make this distinction. They compare their unfiltered reality to the filtered perfection of others, leading to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression. The desire to be liked, admired, and validated becomes an obsession.
The Mental Health Crisis No One Wants to Talk About
The statistics are alarming. Studies have repeatedly shown a direct link between excessive social media use and declining mental health. Depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, and suicidal tendencies are on the rise, particularly among teenagers and young adults.
The constant need for validation through likes and comments creates a dangerous dependency. If a post doesn’t get enough engagement, self-doubt creeps in. “Am I not attractive enough?” “Did I say something wrong?” “Why are people ignoring me?” This leads to an endless cycle of self-questioning and emotional distress.
Social media platforms thrive on this addiction. Algorithms are designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible, feeding them content that triggers dopamine—the same chemical that fuels gambling addiction. The more we scroll, the deeper we sink into the abyss of comparison, self-doubt, and anxiety.
The Pressure to Be ‘Always On’
One of the biggest problems with social media is the pressure to maintain an image. You cannot have a bad day. You cannot be vulnerable. You cannot be ordinary. You always have to look good, be happy, and showcase success.
This is not just limited to celebrities and influencers anymore. The average teenager now feels compelled to maintain a curated online persona. Every outing has to be Instagram-worthy. Every achievement must be publicized. Even grief, loss, and hardships have to be aesthetically presented.
But what happens when someone can’t keep up? What happens when reality doesn’t match the online persona? The disconnect becomes unbearable, leading to self-harm, substance abuse, and in extreme cases, suicide.
The Tragic Case of Live-Streamed Suicides
The incident of the girl live-streaming her suicide is not an isolated one. There have been numerous cases where young individuals, unable to cope with the pressures of social media and real-life struggles, have chosen to end their lives in front of an online audience.
Why live-stream it? Perhaps they wanted to be heard, to be seen in their rawest form, something they felt was never allowed in their curated digital lives. Maybe they wanted the world to finally pay attention. Or maybe, in the most twisted way, they sought validation even in their final moments.
This is the darkest reality of our social media-driven world. When self-worth is dependent on online approval, the lack of it can be fatal.
Breaking Free: The Power of Being Original
So what’s the solution? How do we reclaim our mental health, our peace, and our true selves?
The answer is surprisingly simple yet profoundly difficult—be original.
- Embrace Imperfection
Real life is messy. It is filled with ups and downs, successes and failures, love and heartbreaks. Instead of running after a flawless image, we need to embrace our flaws and imperfections. They make us human.
- Limit Social Media Consumption
Scrolling mindlessly for hours will only fuel insecurity and comparison. Set time limits, take breaks, and engage with the real world. Meet friends in person, read a book, take a walk—experience life beyond the screen.
- Stop Seeking Validation
Your worth is not determined by the number of likes you get. Your value is not in your followers. If you need external validation to feel good about yourself, then you are handing over control of your happiness to strangers. Take that power back.
- Speak Up About Mental Health
We need to normalize conversations about mental health. If you’re struggling, talk to someone. If you notice a friend withdrawing, reach out. Social media makes it easy to hide pain behind a smile; don’t assume someone is okay just because their profile looks perfect.
- Create, Don’t Just Consume
Use social media as a tool to express yourself, not as a measure of your worth. Write, paint, sing, make videos—do things that make you happy rather than things that will get you likes. Be real, be authentic.
- Teach the Younger Generation
Parents, educators, and mentors have a responsibility to teach children that social media is just a tool, not a way of life. Encourage real-life friendships, outdoor activities, and creative pursuits. Help them build confidence in their real selves, not just their digital avatars.
Final Thoughts: Choose Reality Over Illusion
Social media is not inherently bad. It has the power to connect, inform, and inspire. But when it becomes a source of anxiety, insecurity, and self-destruction, we need to pause and reflect.
The girl who live-streamed her suicide didn’t need more followers. She didn’t need more likes. She needed someone to remind her that she was enough just as she was. That her worth wasn’t defined by a screen. That she was loved beyond her digital persona.
If you’re reading this, let this be your wake-up call. Put the phone down. Look around. Life is happening outside the screen. Don’t let the illusion of social media take away the beauty of real, raw, imperfect life.
Be real. Be you. And most importantly, be kind—to yourself and others.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!