The concept of faking a u201cperfectu201d life on social media has been around almost as long as social media itself.u00a0

Comparison is the thief of joy! And a dangerous thief at that.u00a0

The truth is we all wish our online selves were our authentic selves, and weu2019re good at pretending they are. Self-esteem is at an all-time low and it’s scary.u00a0

I look at my cousin’s teenagers and their obsession with Instagram likes genuinely worries me. They could be models – stunning girls, genuinely beautiful on the inside and out – so why are they looking for reassurances in the form of ‘likes’?u00a0

Surely self-esteem starts inside and radiates outward, not the other way around? There wonu2019t ever need to be a moment where they look at themselves long and hard in the mirror and say u201cthis is it. This is who I really am,u201d and decide for themselves whether or not they like the person they see.u00a0

Thereu2019s no need for that any more; a handy device in their pocket can quantify just how loved and wanted and valued they are, one like at a time.u00a0

Something needs to be done to save these girls and all the other young kids in today’s world. They need to separate social media from their sense of self-worth. Who is going to educate them? Self esteem / confidence classes in school? Doubt that.