Introduction:
Years ago, I was scrolling through Instagram and saw a beautiful girl who was a successful business owner, model, and marketer. That feeling of inferiority sunk in like a battleship that’s no longer floating. A couple of years later, this same influencer was exposed for faking her entire lifestyle and scamming people by not shipping the products and ghosting her customers. I was shocked, thinking this girl had her entire life figured out. It was then I started questioning how much of this social media thing is actually real.
This isn’t about exposing people by the way. Throughout the years everyone has seen how powerful social media can be when it reaches tens of thousands of people. For women specifically, we’re no strangers to the dark sides of it. Flat tummy tea, hair supplements, perfectly curated relationships, and bodies are thrown at our faces on a daily until we’re forced to log off saying to ourselves “It’s just a post.” “It’s just a post.” In 2024, there’s been a shift in how we consume and create social media content. Sure the negativity is still there, but women are more aware that it’s not a real place unless you make it a real place. Here are some of the complex effects social media has had on women.
Influence On Relationships And Communication:
More than ever, we’re seeing women creating content with the difficulties of finding a partner or struggling to create any friendships, especially as young adult. Social media has transformed how women connect both positively and negatively. They might have to deal with superficial interactions or increased positive communication. We’re also seeing how social media has affected the dating world. Apps like Badoo, Tinder, and Bumble, are making it difficult to create actual connections (with exceptions of course.) It’s never been easier to download an app and make a judgment of someone and swipe left or right. It’s reshaped how we meet people in general, but with women understandably fearing for our safety, dating apps can go either way.
Women have also been affected by how we handle conflict resolution and misunderstandings, which can sometimes lead to a public dispute. I’ll give you an example of a real-life situation between two women Megan Ashley and B Simone. If you’re not familiar with them, Megan is a host of her own faith-based podcast named In Totality. B. Simone starred on Nick Cannon’s MTV Show Wild n Out. They created a podcast together called the Know For Sure Podcast. Having been close friends for a long time they talked about topics such as parenthood, friendship, relationships, etc. Things eventually became very conflicted as both women were going in different directions in life leading not only to the end of their podcast but their long-term friendship. This caused many people to comment about their relationship or make assumptions about what was going on behind the scenes. Fallouts with friends happen all the time. But this highlights how social media can amplify personal conflicts that were never meant to be public. It turns private issues into public spectacles. Many people probably didn’t try to think about the impact it might’ve had on their mental health. Being a public figure comes with enough pressure, and feeling the need to defend or explain your side to strangers just adds on more stress and anxiety to an already difficult situation.
Economic Opportunities And Entrepreneurship:
Studies indicate that over 60% of women entrepreneurs in the U.S. use social media as a primary channel for marketing and growing their business. Everywhere social media has given women opportunities to become business owners and monetize their passions. This is the side of social media that I love. Opportunities are literally everywhere and you have the chance to learn new skills on the internet like never before.
Online communities have created networking opportunities for women all around the world. Nowadays, we can connect with someone halfway across the world to connect, collaborate, or even introduce us to someone. As a student in Nicolas Cole’s Premium Ghostwriting Academy program, we learn how to separate prospects into two groups. The first group would be called “Leaks” where we see they could benefit from our services or “Faucets” where we can reach someone who probably doesn’t need our services, but most likely knows someone who does. Even if we don’t potentially gain a client, we still can add them to our professional network. A win-win if you ask me.
Another benefit of the internet is access to education and resources. With many people launching digital products, it’s never been easier to have access to education for any niche or industry. Women have been leveraging social media to develop new skills and succeed in their careers. It’s become a vibrant hub for knowledge sharing, allowing individuals to connect with industry experts. Women can share experiences, seek advice, and collaborate on projects. Women are gaining valuable skills and building confidence as we speak!
The Rise Of Authentic And Vulnerable Content:
Recently, there has been a shift in influencers moving away from perfectly curated content to showing those “behind the scenes” moments. Sharing unfiltered moments resonates deeply with their audience. More people (women especially) have started to understand that social media isn’t a reflection of reality. Some creators have been exposed for not showing honest parts about their “day in the life.” Or curating everything to deceive people into thinking that’s how they actually live. But to be quite honest, there’s something powerful about showing the unsexy side. Many women are sharing not just highlight reels but also the challenges of daily life, from work-life balance to dating struggles. The normalization of everyday difficulties helps break down unrealistic standards often portrayed on social media, allowing others to feel less isolated in their experience.
More mommy content creators are sharing their parenting journeys. That includes both the struggles and imperfections of raising children. I’m not a mother myself, but this kind of content is needed, especially for couples who one day want to be parents. It’s important to show moments that aren’t always going to the pumpkin patch and family pictures. With an increased amount of acceptance of vulnerability content, women are sharing their personal stories, overcoming illnesses, facing discrimination, and achieving career goals. And it created and is still creating a sense of solidarity.
Conclusion:
The impact of social media on our lives as women is really complex. It shapes everything from our relationships and communication styles to our entrepreneurial journeys and personal stories. While these platforms can sometimes encourage superficial connections or amplify drama, they also offer incredible opportunities for growth, networking, and empowerment. I’ve seen so many women embracing authenticity and vulnerability in their posts, which has helped us break free from the pressure to be perfect. This openness fosters a real sense of community, allowing us to share our struggles, joys, and successes together. As we navigate this digital world, it's crucial to understand both the challenges and the opportunities that social media presents. It has the power to connect, inspire, and uplift us on our personal and professional paths.
Bio: Hi, my name is Luma. I'm 26 years old living in San Antonio, Texas. I'm a premium ghostwriter and brand storyteller for mental health professionals to grow their email list and email marketing. Other than writing, my interests and hobbies include reading, listening to my favorite music, and spending time with my family. I believe art has a way of connecting people from all over the world and make it a better place. If you loved this post, subscribe to my newsletter where I talk about mental health, my personal journey, and much more.
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Love this! Thank you for sharing so eloquently ☺️🙏
This is great, very thoughtful insights 🤩🌟