Social networks under the growing influence of attention and appearance

" Women who post lots of photos of themselves on Facebook value appearance, need attention, study finds "


This article shows the change of meaning that occurs through the development and the increase of Social Networks nowadays. Actually, it clearly shows how people use social networking websites and how this use can be totally different from the basic signification of the socialization. This is particularly the case on Facebook for example. Women or even men post a lot of photos showing themselves, share them. And the main goal is that they should be seen by a maximum of people. Reaching the attention is thus becoming one of the most important factor for the use of social networks for these kinds of people. The focus is made on image and appearance, especially for young and female people who continue to assert their self worth through their physical appearance. The value of social network is distorted to the popularity and the need to show and be seen is present during whole days.

This fact is relevant to understand the increasing new use of social networks, especially those which were first exploited to speak and socialize with people and friends, and which are now more a kind of platform where people show as many pictures and things about them as possible. This is especially the case for Facebook and Twitter, where people can show what they like, think about several issues, do,... The socialization takes an other aspect, the one where image and appearance are the heart of social network behaviors. The understanding of social networks signification and use is shattered, which can complicate their developments.

I am not surprised about the findings of this survey. Some people and mainly women benefit from these social networks to make people pay attention about them. They get the feeling they exist to the eyes of people and they are recognized. This can also be called a "virtual life": having a lot of virtual friends, being liked by them, and share with them interests. These kind of people are present everywhere on social networks, and when comes the offline social relationship, that is to say the real life, few people are present. This can lead to the conclusion that everything is easier behind a screen, but the real socialization can only be realistic face-to-face, when you really see the person you have to deal with.


Solène Chaffarod (Exchange Student)