Living for the likes: how social media reshaped our sense of self📱

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Over the years, social media has evolved into a stage where users showcase their most intimate life events. Engagements, weddings, breakups, new jobs, family drama, personal wins and losses—nothing seems too sacred for the feed. In Cameroon and beyond, the trend of oversharing online raises questions. Fascinating to some, disturbing to others, it reflects a digital culture where attention is currency—and personal stories are the product.

The tragic case of French influencer Mehdi, who took his own life on July 19 after being relentlessly harassed online, is a stark reminder of how real the consequences can be. And if we’re not careful, this could become the global norm.

Seeking attention in the algorithm economy ✨

Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, some users share the details of their daily lives with astonishing openness. From relationship milestones to arguments, career updates to emotional confessions—every post is a call for engagement.

“I just need to feel like I’m not alone in what I’m going through. When I share hard moments, I get support,” says Mélanie, a regular Instagram user known for her vulnerable stories.

Behind many of these posts lies a deep need for social validation. For some, the constant search for likes and reactions becomes second nature—blurring the lines between personal space and public display.

“People want to show they exist—that they’re living interesting lives. It’s like a competition for who has the perfect story,” says Victor, a young entrepreneur.

When online stories turn against you ⚠️

Yes, sharing can create community. But it can also open the door to ridicule, trolling, and worse. A breakup turned into a TikTok saga can quickly become meme material. Family disputes aired online often attract unsolicited—and harsh—judgments.

“I posted a video after my breakup to vent my disappointment. Soon I was flooded with mockery, and screenshots of my video were circulating in WhatsApp groups,” recalls Christelle, who ended up deleting her Facebook account.

The internet never forgets. What feels like a heartfelt post today can resurface years later—often in unexpected or malicious ways.

“If you talk about personal stuff online, it can backfire. Even if you delete it, someone already has the screenshots,” says Léo, a university student and active TikToker.

The trend that’s normalizing oversharing 👀

In the age of influencers, making your life public is almost expected. Visibility is confused with relevance. Vlogs, personal confessions, and live drama streams are everywhere—and they’re getting clicks.

“These days, it feels like if you don’t post your life, you don’t exist. It’s super common on TikTok—people tell their whole life story. Some even go live just to defend themselves after scandals,” says Yvette, a tailor.

This need to be seen fuels a culture of constant, sometimes fabricated, self-disclosure. People dramatize events, script conflicts, or exaggerate moments just to keep the attention coming.

Sharing vs. oversharing: where’s the line? 🧐

Of course, not all personal posts are bad. Sharing can be therapeutic, or help raise awareness around important issues. But the line between storytelling and self-sabotage is razor-thin.

“I’ve learned not to post anything personal. It always finds a way to come back to you. People think they’re in control, but once it’s online, you lose that control,” says Théo, a student.

Many young people are now stepping back—closing accounts, restricting their privacy, or keeping personal content within tight circles. Still, the oversharing trend shows no sign of slowing down.

Real life vs. online life: a shrinking boundary 💬

Social platforms offer powerful ways to express yourself. But sharing your life shouldn’t feel like an obligation imposed by digital culture. Every post reveals a part of you—sometimes irreversibly.

Some embrace it. Others sound the alarm. When you live in public, you risk losing control of your own narrative. And when the likes stop coming—or worse, turn into ridicule—what’s left?

It’s worth remembering: the internet doesn’t forget. It records, amplifies, and distorts. What began as an emotional release can become an echo chamber of regret. Sharing isn’t wrong. But when your private life becomes a 24/7 broadcast, you risk becoming just a supporting actor in a story you no longer direct.

In the end, everyone is free to share—or not. But before hitting “post,” it’s worth asking: could this digital offering come back to haunt me? Because on the stage of social media, the audience isn’t always kind.

🗣 We want to hear from you!
Do you think people should share everything online—or is it better to keep some things off the feed ?