For You Page

By Madison Collins

POV: you just finished watching a TikTok video. Finally, after finding a trending sound, coming up with an enticing caption, editing the video, and using hashtags, you can finally post. You did everything right.  You’re checking your notifications every 30 seconds. The likes are coming in slowly, but then someone comments “FYP (For You Page).” Your video is about to blow up! Until it doesn’t.

Endorphins spike the brain whenever a like comes through, encouraging people to strive to achieve that feeling often. On the other hand, whenever people don’t get the likes they think they deserve, they start questioning if what they posted was good. They wonder if they looked good enough, and start comparing themselves to people with more likes. Studies have shown that getting less likes can make teens and young adults anxious and even depressed. At the very least, the lack of likes can create a lack of self-esteem and lack of confidence. 

Although social media, in its rawest form, is supposed to connect people,  it instead establishes a realm of jealousy and isolation. Instead of feeling connected to each other, we alienate and compare ourselves to other people. It’s hard to feel united when looks are such a major piece of the social media puzzle. “Thirst trap” culture embodies “pretty privilege”. Looks alone can get creators thousands to millions of followers. It leaves a person wondering, why not me? Many will try beauty filters to succeed in looking like those who have gotten famous for being conventionally attractive. If it doesn’t, it leaves them isolated and feeling “different”. If it does work, they may feel endorphins in the moment but the praise is directed at a produced version of themself. The jealousy of wishing to look like someone else or having as many followers as someone else, leaves us divided. We end up resentful to those we do not think deserve the platform they have, generating the spread of hate. Creating an endless cycle of envy and isolation, where social media doesn’t feel like it’s “for you” anymore. 

As easy as it is to say, “just put down the phone,” our world isn’t built that way anymore. What you can do is make social media work for you. Comparisons are a part of human nature. However, when you are comparing, do not forget to look at what lies beyond the algorithm. We all feel alone and as if this world is not made for us. However, we’re all aspiring to tell our story and make a name for ourselves. Remember: it’s the “For You Page”. You get to choose how you use it.

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Photographer: Kathleen Tobin

Model: Corinne Collado

Stylist: Corinne Collado, Luna Abreia

Hair: Gillian Tokar

Makeup: Gillian Tokar