Filtered Identities: Social Media Engagement and Quarter Life Crisis among College Students

Abstract

The phenomenal rise of social media has introduced a new form of pressure, particularly among college students, who navigate the challenges of identity formation, academic expectations, and personal growth. This paper attempts to examine what we call “The Aesthetic Pressures” generated by the delineation of perfect lifestyles portrayed in social media for youths and their relationship with quarter-life crisis, a phenomenon affecting young adults. A quarterlife crisis typically occurs between the ages of 18 and 30, which is marked by feelings of self-doubt, uncertainty, identity issues and existential questioning, intensified by societal xpectations. Social media exacerbates this crisis by presenting often unrealistic yet unattainable representations of perfect success, beauty, and happiness. Through qualitative and quantitative research methods, including surveys and interviews conducted with college students, this study examines how social media’s aesthetic portrayal of perfection influences students’ self-perception, mental health, and overall life satisfaction. Participants were asked to reflect on their social media usage. Findings reveal a significant correlation between frequent social media engagement and heightened anxiety, dissatisfaction, and a sense of inadequacy caused by social media. Many students reported their struggles coping with the unrealistic comparison to their peers’ highlighting reels, which often led to an increased sense of disconnection from their authentic selves. Additionally, students reported the need to constantly project an image of success online, which contributed to feelings of pressure and a sense of purpose crisis.