Why Social Media Engagement Doesn’t Reflect True Social Importance, Beauty, or Intelligence: The Illusion of Validation

By Author Giljonnys Dias da Silva 

 

"Social media, instead of connecting people, is making them ill by creating constant pressure to conform to unrealistic standards of success and happiness, turning the pursuit of digital validation into a trap for self-esteem and mental health."

 

"Just because someone receives a lot of likes and comments on social media doesn't mean they truly reflect who that person is or how attractive they are by society's standards. For example, actor Rowan Atkinson, famous for playing Mr. Bean, has millions of followers and likes—but that doesn't automatically make him the most handsome man in the world. You can read more about him on Wikipedia: https://pt.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Bean_(personagem).

 

Similarly, singer Susan Boyle has gained massive popularity online, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she’s considered the most beautiful woman in the world. Her talent is what made her famous, not her looks. You can read her story on Wikipedia: https://pt.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Boyle. In the end, we can’t measure a person’s talent, intelligence, or knowledge based on how they look or how popular they are online."

 

In today's digital age, it is easy to mistake online attention for real-world value. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), TikTok, and others have transformed how individuals interact with the world and perceive themselves. A person receiving thousands of likes, comments, and shares might seem, on the surface, to be widely admired, respected, or even influential. However, a deeper look through the lenses of sociology, psychology, and anthropology shows that social media engagement is not a reliable measure of personal importance, beauty, or intelligence. These metrics often reflect superficial or algorithm-driven popularity rather than genuine societal recognition or value.

 

Sociological Perspective: Social Structures vs. Digital Performance

 

From a sociological standpoint, society defines "importance" through roles, status, and social function, not through digital popularity. People who are truly influential in shaping society—teachers, scientists, public servants, caregivers—may have little or no online presence. Meanwhile, viral content creators or influencers may gain thousands of likes by aligning with social media trends rather than contributing meaningfully to societal development.

 

Social media fosters what sociologists call a "performance society", where individuals curate a version of themselves tailored to the expectations of an online audience. This is strongly tied to Goffman's theory of dramaturgy, in which everyday life is seen as a stage and individuals are performers. On social media, this performance is carefully edited: filters, captions, and hashtags are crafted not to reflect reality but to produce a certain reaction. In this context, likes and comments become applause—not evidence of real value, but feedback on a staged performance.

 

Moreover, algorithmic influence plays a major role in determining visibility. Platforms reward content that is controversial, visually appealing, or emotionally charged, regardless of its social value. Thus, what gets seen and liked is not necessarily what is important or intelligent—it is simply what fits the platform's logic of attention.

 

Psychological Perspective: Validation, Perception, and Cognitive Biases

 

From a psychological point of view, the human brain is wired to seek validation and social approval. Receiving likes and comments activates the brain's reward system, particularly the release of dopamine, creating a sense of pleasure. This can lead individuals to equate online feedback with personal worth, which is a dangerous cognitive distortion.

 

Psychologists highlight the role of confirmation bias and halo effect in social media interactions. If someone is perceived as attractive in a photo, users may assume they are also intelligent or important—even if there’s no real evidence. This illusory correlation leads to the false belief that digital attention is a sign of actual merit.

 

Furthermore, many users unconsciously compare themselves to others online, a phenomenon known as social comparison theory. This comparison is often based on curated and idealized images, not reality, which can distort perceptions of beauty, intelligence, or importance. People may overestimate the value of engagement metrics and underestimate the influence of manipulated content, bot activity, or even paid promotions behind the scenes.

 

Anthropological Perspective: Ritual, Symbolism, and Cultural Meaning

 

Anthropologically, social media can be seen as a new form of ritualized behavior that mirrors ancient human practices of social signaling. In traditional societies, status was often demonstrated through symbols—clothing, titles, roles in ceremonies. Today, likes, followers, and blue checkmarks serve a similar symbolic function.

 

However, cultural meaning varies. In some cultures, physical beauty is not the most valued trait, nor is verbal cleverness. But global social media platforms tend to promote a Westernized standard of attractiveness and popularity, creating a cultural bias that distorts users’ understanding of what it means to be "beautiful" or "important." Anthropologists remind us that what we see as "intelligence" or "value" is shaped by our cultural framework—not by objective truths.

 

Social media is also a digital space of belonging, a virtual "tribe" where people create in-groups and out-groups. Engagement can reflect tribal loyalty (liking a friend's post because they're part of your circle), not genuine admiration or agreement. Therefore, likes often represent social obligation or group dynamics, not individual merit.

 

Conclusion: Beyond the Metrics

 

While social media has revolutionized communication and democratized expression, it has also blurred the line between appearance and reality. High levels of online engagement might make someone look influential, beautiful, or intelligent, but these metrics are shaped by algorithms, psychological biases, and cultural rituals, not by objective societal consensus.

 

True social value lies in contribution, character, and context—things that can't be measured by likes and comments. Recognizing the difference between digital applause and genuine respect is essential in building a healthier, more grounded understanding of self-worth and societal value in the age of social media.

 

Bibliographic References 

 

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Bourdieu, Pierre. A Distinção: Crítica Social do Julgamento do Gosto. Editora da Universidade de Brasília, 1989.

 

Debord, Guy. A Sociedade do Espetáculo. Editora Contraponto, 1997.

 

Goffman, Erving. Estigma: Notas Sobre a Manipulação da Identidade Deteriorada. Editora Martins Fontes, 2006.

 

Fuchs, Christian. Social Media: A Critical Introduction. Sage Publications, 2017.

 

Bauman, Zygmunt. Amor Líquido: Sobre a Fragilidade dos Laços Humanos. Editora Zahar, 2004.

 

Valkenburg, Patti M., et al. "Social Media Use and Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis of the Effects on Mental Health and Well-Being." Psychological Bulletin, vol. 145, no. 11, 2019, pp. 1078–1101.

 

Hogan, Bernard. "The Presentation of Self in the Age of Social Media: Distinguishing Performances and Exhibitions Online." Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, vol. 34, no. 6, 2014, pp. 305-314.

 

Tufekci, Zeynep. "Social Media and the Decision to Participate in Political Protest: Observations From Tahrir Square." Journal of Communication, vol. 62, no. 2, 2012, pp. 363–379.