Due to the illusions of instant fame and recognition offered by social media, ego has never been more encouraged than it is in contemporary Western society.
Analysis
Social media and the Internet spread the misconception that fame and recognition can be achieved with little to no effort. Some Instagram and YouTube users do go on to achieve success and wealth. Singer Justin Bieber, for instance, was discovered on YouTube. Even people who don’t aspire to Internet fame fall into the trap of seeking social media “likes” to bolster their egos on a daily basis.
In fact, a 2013 study from the University of Michigan found a direct link between social media and an increasingly self-obsessed society. Researchers found that the most narcissistic people tended to post more frequently on Twitter and Facebook than their less ego-inclined counterparts. They found that Twitter in particular is a tool that demonstrates a person’s excessive notion of self-importance. By broadcasting their opinions to the entire Internet at large as opposed to just their group of friends, Twitter users demonstrate that they over-value their views. [8]