Whether documenting adventures on a night out in CollegeTown, snapping an aesthetic shot of a Frother’s Daughter latte, or taking graduation photos in front of the Westcott Fountain, Florida State University’s campus is bustling with visual storytelling.
These photos are not just collecting dust in camera rolls. World Metrics reports that among the three most popular media-sharing sites, 68% of college students use TikTok, 62% use Instagram, and 54% use Snapchat.
This extensive user base consequently generates negative input. For example, many criticize Instagram for being a highlight reel of our best moments. However, this is exactly how the app should function.
Challenging modern claims that active posting on social media is inherently harmful, capturing the moment is the ultimate form of empowerment: it fosters self-expression, preserves fond memories, promotes connection, and supports future endeavors.
Choosing to post one’s favorite moments is not inauthentic; rather, it is the most genuine form of self-expression someone can share. Unique interests, social circles, and lifestyles shape personal identity, painting a digital impression of how we prefer to live our lives.
Posting images in which we feel attractive faces condemnation for being vain or self-obsessed. If a friend, referencing a beautiful, jaw-dropping image of themself, asks: “should I post this?” Unless it is distasteful or damaging, the answer is always yes.
Posting photos that represent your prime self, whether that be in terms of appearance, accomplishments, or fun moments, exhibits confidence. If you paid good money for that blowout treatment, dedicated hours to a research presentation, or worked countless shifts to afford those concert tickets, you should be proud to show it off.
Rather than perceiving these posts with envy, we should be happy for others. Observe those photo dumps with inspiration, not competition.
The concept of a digital footprint dissuades people from posting on social media due to the uncertainty of outcomes. Is this offensive? Will I regret posting this? What will my future employers think of this? Instead of fearing the internet’s infinite shelf-life, we should embrace it.
As cliché as it may sound, a picture is truly worth a thousand words, serving as the quintessential way to document the college experience. Images of students rushing the Doak Campbell Stadium field with tears streaming down their faces after beating Alabama require no written explanation.
Treating social media like a digital scrapbook creates a communal visual history that is embedded in cognitive processes and can be revisited at any moment. According to Brain Health University, reminiscing on nostalgic memories stimulates numerous regions of the brain, such as the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala.
This mental activation increases psychological resilience, optimism, and inspiration, prompting pleasurable viewing experiences.
Preserving memories facilitates connection with friends and family as well. Being aware of both major and minor life moments promotes inclusion and reduces loneliness, as per The Conversation. I frequent my mom’s Instagram feed circa 2013 when I’m feeling homesick.
Social media accounts can be beneficial to career success by showcasing career dedication, assuming the digital footprint mentioned earlier is clean. According to Business News Daily, 67% of employers look for information that highlights a candidate’s qualifications, including expertise, accomplishments, and professional connections.
Employers may appreciate potential hires who exhibit a balanced work and social life. Furthermore, when users share content related to their interests, they are seen as people, not just resumes.
Despite these defenses, frequent posting still attracts valid criticism.
“As much as I love film and photography, I much prefer putting my phone away and experiencing the moment. If I remember to take a photo for memories, I’ll do it, but I hate centering moments and experiences around making them look cool for Instagram,” FSU senior digital media production major Makayla Taylor said to the FSView.
Prolonged social media activity exposes users to the dopamine effect, and their mental health may suffer if a post fails to meet an expected amount of likes, comments, and shares (i.e., flop). Privacy risks also emerge when users inadvertently reveal sensitive personal information through content they share.
“I think posting on personal social media can be a valuable way to build a personal brand, stay connected, and highlight involvement and achievements. I do think college students sometimes place too much emphasis on posting, but it ultimately comes down to finding a balance and using social media in a way that is both authentic and purposeful,” junior marketing major Alexis Brendel said to the FSView.
So long as the user has a healthy mindset and follows practices regarding posting and is doing so for the purposes above, active social media sharing emphasizes personal development. One’s feed is a mosaic of their life experience; allow others to visit the digital museum.
Anna Mammarelli is a Media and Communications major at Florida State University and a Staff Writer for the Views section of the FSView & Florida Flambeau, the student-run, independent online news service for the FSU community. Email our staff at contact@fsview.com.
This article originally appeared on FSU News: Fueled by the feed: Rethinking social media’s impact
Reporting by Anna Mammarelli, Senior Staff Writer, FSView / FSU News
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