In the era of Instagram reels, TikToks and carefully crafted content the concept of reel vs real is more pertinent than ever before particularly in Pakistan. We enjoy seeing celebrities and influencers online with sparkling reels that include lavish dinners, expensive clothes, perfect relationships, endless trips and what not, however this all could just be a mirage because what you see online is not exactly going on in the personal lives as some truths are never spoken just like all that glitters is not gold.
Pakistani celebrities, YouTubers, and TikTokers may show that they are living the dream, but their reality is far more different than shown online. What we see is a constructed illusion designed for engagement, views, likes, and to gain followers. The public is attracted to this content, aspiring to it, and sometimes even comparing themselves to it without realising the pressure and emotional toll it takes on the people behind the screen.
Illusion or Delusion?
We spend many hours just scrolling on the feed and checking the content of our favorite celebrities seeing what they are doing, where they going, what they wearing and so on and start getting impressed with their lifestyles. An average viewer will find all this very appealing and captivating because what they see is pure happiness, popularity and financial stability. On the contrary, it is insane to believe just one side of the story. They reality behind all that content we love could be different or even brutal because most of these personalities are going through different pressures and issues whilst keeping and maintaining a smile on their faces.
Chasing Approvals
The digital media of Pakistan is so strong and competitive now especially since almost mushroom-like rise of TikTokers and influencers. These platforms keep changing their algorithms, which makes it even more challenging for the content creators to keep up with the changes and remain active and engaging for their audience and followers no matter what. Some of them not even create content with all their heart becuause in real life they are not happy but just pretend to be happy in front of the camera as it has become their bread-earner and they need to look good even when they don’t feel so.
In order to maintain visibility, some content creators even create drama, participating in viral challenges, or promote unrealistic lifestyles. The posts they publish are exaggerated versions but all this is just to keep up with their audience and to keep they satisfies.
The requirement of constant validation in the form of likes, views, comments and shares has become a part of their lives that is exhausting and deeply damaging. It seems like these content creators are bound to the public approvals only.
Societal Pressure & Personal Struggles
Pakistani society is literally obsessed with the popularity of these creators online and this somewhat brings immense pressure in their lives as well. Netizens can be very ruthless with their trolls, memes and negative remarks about any celebrity or TikToker and it could be due something they said or their dressing and so on because Pakistani society doesn’t always approve!
Women are especially analyzed for the way they dress, speak, and who they are associate with. Men are often scrutized when they display wealth and masculinity. There’s little room for vulnerability, imperfection, or authenticity. As much as their fans or followers look up to them, they also become the target of their hatred. It could be something they said or something they wore, they face backlash that could easily trigger a negative impact on their mental health and more so a decline in the number of their followers.
Most these public figures or content creators are facing troubles in real lives such as financial instability, career troubles, depression or anxiety but when they have to come online they pretend that they are the happiest humans. This is very difficult and exhausting however, they cannot afford to look weak in front of their audience or else they will lose them along with other elements such as different collaboration opportunities and endorsements.
What Audience Feels?
The most concerning thing about all this viral content thing is that it affects the general public especially young people. Pakistani youth spend hours of social media daily, and in doing so, absorb these unreal or distorted versions of reality. They start to feel inferior, complexed or believing that their lives are boring or unsuccessful in comparison. This gives a rise in the low self-esteem among the youth, unrealistic expectation, start looking for short cuts to be rich and famous, start disliking their ordinary lives and all these things eventually lead to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
Break Mirror of Illusion
There is nothing wrong with sharing joyful moments online. But it’s important for both influencers and audiences to recognise the difference between what/s on the camera and what is behind the camera.
Nowadays many Pakistani celebrities, hosts and anchors have started speaking out about mental health issues and how these content creators cope up with it in different interviews, podcasts and talk shows. They talk about the struggles of loneliness and the things they have to face to produce what the audience wants to see. These are things that were never discussed before but it is high time since many creators are deeply affected by such troubles and also the audience needs to play a part in this by supporting these personalities because behind the camera they are also human beings.
Similarly, audiences must not idolize them or be so much influenced that it starts clouding their judgement. Instead, they should be smart and insightful to what they are watching and following. They must bear in mind that not everything they see online is real and certainly not be inspired by.
Choose Wisely!
The thing to learn here is that is okay not to stop enjoy social media or following your favourite personalities but also know the balance so that whatever they are watching does not overshadow their real life.
It is high time, that we as audience accept reality with all its highs and lows and stop chasing an illusion that leaves them feeling empty. Never forget that behind every post, there is a human being who is tired, flawed, pressured and trying to hang in there like the rest of us.
Atif Arif