💻 The LinkedIn network was founded 20 years ago. Nowadays, it is increasingly becoming a classic social media platform. The line between private and professional content is often blurred, which can strain mental health. The newsfeed is reminiscent of other platforms and less of the originally intended use, the cultivation of business contacts. The latest phenomenon, “LinkedIn flexing”, refers to posts by people writing about professional and personal challenges. Very particular attention is paid to the topic of one’s own mental health.
🧠 Why and why are thoughts shared?
By publishing one’s own thoughts, attention and visibility is increased. People can be reached who have similar motivations and goals. In addition, people can become part of a community together and form different groups. Everyone is allowed to share their opinion openly, aiming to question the different motivations with other people. A reflection process helps to minimise negative aspects.
📈 The positive side:
The positive side is that different experiences can be shared. But not only experiences, also challenges, thoughts and problems can be shared and thus reach people who also identify with the same problems. The focus here is on exchange and communication.
📉 The negative side:
However, excessive consumption of social media also has its drawbacks. Various forms of addictions, negative feelings, social isolation, depression, anxiety, self-absorption or inaccessibility can occur. People compare themselves with others and may no longer be true to their own image. They become insecure too quickly. In addition, posts can receive negative reactions and comments as well as positive ones. Often people then don’t know how to deal with it properly, which can reinforce the image of self-insecurity. 👩💻
The constant consumption by the algorithm should be controlled on one’s own responsibility.
