Dr. Andrew Mohanraj

DIGITAL narcissism is a phenomenon that has emerged in the age of social media and the internet. 
It refers to the tendency of individuals to seek validation and attention through their online presence, often at the expense of their real-life relationships and responsibilities. 

This phenomenon is not a new concept, but it has become increasingly prevalent as the use of social media and the internet has grown by leaps and bounds. 

Generation Y, being used to digital technology, and Generation Z, being more social media-savvy, tend to use social media the most in terms of age demographics. 
This obsession with social media has probably caused these generations to be more narcissistic compared to previous ones.

The rise of digital narcissism can be attributed to several factors, including the ease of access to social media platforms and the ability to create an online persona that is carefully curated to present the best version of one’s self. 
This curated image often does not reflect the true reality, leading to a disconnect between an individual’s online persona and their real-life self. 
This can be problematic, as it can create a false sense of self-importance and cause individuals to prioritise their online presence over real life. Pressure on others

Gen Y, also known as Millennials, and Gen Z are considered to be the “selfie” generations. 
They constantly promote or show their lifestyles online – sometimes, misrepresenting, and in some extreme cases, falsifying, it. 

For some, this allows them to live in a fantasy world filled with success, power and beauty. 
Constantly taking and posting pictures of themselves, their social media accounts boast about their new gadgets, luxury cars, and expensive food. 

It is not just the rich and famous who do this, but also ordinary people. 
They post heavily edited pictures to their social media accounts to present themselves in the best way possible. Seeing perfect, curated images can have a negative impact on other people who view them. 

It puts pressure on the viewers to present themselves in a similar way too, leading to insecurity and self-esteem issues. 
It becomes an obsession to appear attractive or successful.
Pay attention to me!

Digital narcissists demand admiration from others, and they receive it through likes, comments and followers on social media. This fuels their sense of importance and becomes a vicious cycle of getting more attention to maintain their grandiose persona. They are over-sensitive to criticism, but are ecstatic when receiving positive feedback, although they know that, compared to strangers, their friends are less likely to criticise their posts.

As such, digital narcissists tend to avoid social media platforms that network ideas, instead of focusing on the person. 

Anyone on such platforms can read posts and comment on them publicly. 
Therefore, these platforms are less popular with digital narcissists because they do not want to be criticised. 
Their preferred platforms are where a user can share content that focuses on themselves, with the people that they choose.  A narcissist can thrive in such a place because everything can be focused on them, thereby inflating their self-esteem.

A lack of empathy is also prevalent online, usually taking the form of bullying or trolling other people. 
Generation Z is particularly sensitive. Words and images that offend them can cause hostile behaviour in some. Being mean to others on social media can be a sign of narcissism because it shows that they want to attract attention by being unpleasant to others.

Negative consequences

One of the most significant impacts of digital narcissism on society is the erosion of interpersonal communication and relationships. Social media platforms provide an easy way for individuals to connect with others, but these connections are often superficial and lack the depth and complexity of real-life relationships. 

As a result, individuals may find it difficult to form meaningful connections with others, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation.  A balanced approach is necessary to be able to process constructive criticism, aside from reaching out meaningfully and showing empathy to others.
In addition to impacting interpersonal relationships, digital narcissism can also have negative impacts on mental health. 

The constant need for validation and attention can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression, as individuals become overly concerned with how they are perceived by others. This can also lead to a cycle of comparison and competition, as individuals strive to outdo one another in terms of likes, followers, and other metrics of online success.

Digital narcissism can also have broader societal impacts. For example, the use of social media to seek validation and attention can lead to a culture of self-promotion, where individuals prioritise their own interests over those of the community.  This can lead to a breakdown of social cohesion and a lack of trust between individuals, as everyone becomes focused on their own personal success, rather than the success of the group as a whole.

Another impact of digital narcissism is the spread of misinformation and fake news. 
To gain attention and validation, individuals may post and share content that is untrue or misleading.  This can have serious consequences, as false information can spread rapidly and lead to misunderstandings and division, and cause harm to individuals or communities.

Potential solutions
So, what can be done to address digital narcissism and its impacts on society? 

One approach is to promote digital literacy and critical thinking skills, helping individuals to understand the potential consequences of their online actions and encouraging them to think critically about the content they consume and share.  Another approach is to promote mindfulness and self- awareness, helping individuals to develop a greater sense of perspective and balance in their lives.

Paradoxically, social media platforms themselves can play a role in addressing digital narcissism.
For example, they can implement algorithms that prioritise content that is meaningful and relevant to users, rather than simply promoting content that is popular or attention-grabbing. They can also provide tools and resources to help users manage their social media use and avoid the negative impacts of digital narcissism. 

By working together to address digital narcissism, we can create a more balanced and healthy digital environment that benefits everyone.

Editor’s note: Our first Matters of the Mind columnist Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan will return to write the next two columns.Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj is a consultant psychiatrist, the Malaysian Mental Health Association president and an adjunct professor of psychiatry at Taylor’s University. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.