In my previous posts I have discussed how social networking can affect our self-esteem and some of the challenges social networks face.
In this post I am going to suggest some solutions for the challenges social networks are facing.
One of the main challenges social networks have to overcome is that they are being used as a space where users can portray a false image of themselves (with a reported 83 million fake accounts currently on Facebook). One way of combating this could be for a network like Facebook to adopt a similar strategy to Linkedin, where, before adding someone users have to state how they know the person they are trying to connect with (colleague, classmate etc.) If Facebook were to use this method it could make it more difficult, and less worthwhile, for people setting up fake accounts. This particular approach would also help to control the number of friends users collect which, given that research shows having over 354 friends on Facebook can be detrimental to self-esteem, could be a positive move. Additionally ensuring that users actually know their Facebook Friends in real life means they will more likely know which friends like to exaggerate, lie, boast etc. This will mean that users are less likely to feel worse about themselves when comparing their lives and achievements to Facebook friends they actually know.
A further challenge for the self-esteem of social network users is the increasing amount of time they are spending online with some research showing that there is a link between the amount of time spent on Facebook and depressive symptoms. This can’t directly be controlled, however I believe that if you give users other things to look at or do within their chosen social networks it could help to reduce the amount of time they spend looking (and potentially obsessing) over other user’s pictures and statuses. For example, a recent addition to the Facebook newsfeed are ‘trending articles’ that users’ friends have read. This could drive users away from status updates but retains the ‘social’ element as the ‘buzz’ around these articles results from a user’s friends having read them.
Many users who suffer self-esteem issues do so after comparing themselves unfavourably to what their friends post online which can make them feel worse about their lives. Social network users should be aware that they can limit updates from others. On Facebook for instance users have the option of sharing their statuses and photos with a selected group of people (only me, friends, public) and they can also hide status updates from their newsfeed from other users. Facebook needs to make it clearer to their users that these options are available and this could possibly help to limit what people share online with others.
If social networks believe that the threat they pose to self- esteem is a serious enough issue (and the evidence is growing) then they really need to consider working in conjunction with other groups such as the government and self-esteem charities to help protect their users. One good way to demonstrate their awareness and willingness to deal with the issue might be to allow the government and charities to have ads on social networks which offer help to users whose self-esteem may be damaged from social networking. Advertising things such as the Home Office’s body confidence campaign, having links to the NHS and charity websites could offer help to users who where and when they most need it.
Ultimately a social network’s users are its most valuable assets. Therefore Facebook, or any other social network for that matter, need to take seriously any threat to its members if they want to continue to be seen as space people enjoy visiting.
