By Moniba Iftikhar ISLAMABAD, Jun 6 (APP):In a world of likes, followers and filtered perfection, social media has turned life into a constant competition where every scroll offers a glimpse into seemingly flawless lives and chasing these digital ideals, many find themselves caught in a cycle of comparison that allows insecurity and dissatisfaction to grow quietly behind the screens. Industry observers and communication …
Digital era turning endless scrolling platforms into a source of self-doubt and silent comparison
By Moniba Iftikhar
ISLAMABAD, Jun 6 (APP):In a world of likes, followers and filtered perfection, social media has turned life into a constant competition where every scroll offers a glimpse into seemingly flawless lives and chasing these digital ideals, many find themselves caught in a cycle of comparison that allows insecurity and dissatisfaction to grow quietly behind the screens.
Industry observers and communication experts, while discussing modern digital behavior highlight that daily scrolling through social media platforms has become deeply embedded in everyday life, fueling constant comparison, silent competition and growing dissatisfaction as people measure their realities against carefully curated online lives of
others.
One industry observer, Shazia Rehman, remarked that social media has reshaped human perception of success and happiness, as continuous exposure to idealized online lives often pushes users into unspoken comparison and leaves them feeling less satisfied with their own reality.
Mrs Ali also added that social media has created an environment where people constantly compare their lives with others, often forgetting that what is seen online is only a selective and edited version of reality, not the full truth.
Sidra Iqbal a communication expert said that social media has quietly reshaped how people define happiness and success, where likes, followers, and online attention often begin to replace real measures of self-worth.
She pointed out that constant exposure to carefully curated posts creates an illusion of perfect lives, making users unconsciously compare their own everyday reality with the highlight reels of others.
She further added that this endless cycle of scrolling and comparison is slowly affecting mental well-being, especially among young people.
According to her, what appears online is only a selective version of life, yet many individuals internalize it as a standard, leading to growing dissatisfaction and a reduced sense of contentment in their own lives.
Media commentator Ayesha Khan added that social media is also reshaping expectations around relationships and marriage, where idealized portrayals of lifestyles create unrealistic standards among young people.
She noted that constant exposure to luxurious weddings, perfect couples and curated happiness often leads to dissatisfaction with ordinary family life, creating pressure on marriages that are not aligned with these digital
ideals.
She further explained that this shift is also affecting family dynamics, as many young individuals begin to demand lifestyles influenced by what they see online, sometimes leading to tension with parents who struggle to meet such expectations.
According to her, this gap between digital imagination and real-life limitations is quietly contributing to misunderstandings, emotional distance and, in some cases, strain in marriages and long-term relationships.
Noshaba Anjum explained that the mental effects of social media on youth and women are becoming increasingly visible, as constant exposure to idealized lifestyles often leads to anxiety, self-doubt and reduced self-esteem.
She noted that many young people, especially women, begin to compare their appearance, success and personal lives with heavily filtered online images, which creates unrealistic expectations and emotional pressure.
She further added that this continuous comparison gradually affects mental well-being, leading to stress, dissatisfaction, and in some cases, feelings of inadequacy.
The pressure to appear perfect online is silently impacting confidence and emotional stability, making it harder for individuals to accept their real lives with contentment and peace, she mentioned.
A psychiatrist further added that excessive use of social media can significantly affect mental health, especially among youth and women, as constant comparison and exposure to idealized lifestyles often lead to anxiety, low self-esteem and emotional stress.
All experts concluded that while social media connects the world instantly, it also intensifies comparison, insecurity, and dissatisfaction, making mindful and balanced use essential for protecting mental well-being.
