“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” — Kurt Vonnegut.

Social media isn’t just an app on your phone anymore. It’s a full-blown performance. Every like, comment, and share fuels an invisible scoreboard, turning ordinary users into desperate entertainers. Some curate a picture-perfect life that doesn’t exist. Others take things to the extreme, staging elaborate hoaxes, dangerous stunts, or outright crimes just to go viral. The hunger for validation has never been stronger, and the risks have never been higher. The real question is: Where do we draw the line? How far is too far when chasing likes?

The Addiction to Likes

Social media has turned validation into a currency. Every like, comment, and share triggers a dopamine release, giving users a temporary high. This chemical reaction in the brain makes people crave more engagement, leading to obsessive behavior. The constant need to check notifications, refresh feeds, and compare engagement statistics becomes an unhealthy cycle. Studies show that social media users experience withdrawal symptoms when engagement drops, similar to addiction patterns seen in gambling.

Some individuals go to extreme lengths for a digital thumbs-up. The desire to be seen, appreciated, and admired online overrides rational decision-making. This obsession is further fueled by algorithms that reward engagement with more visibility, pushing people to chase virality at any cost. The result? A society where self-worth is tied to digital applause.

The Extreme Measures People Take

The pursuit of likes has driven people to create staged, dangerous, and sometimes illegal content. Here are just a few shocking cases of individuals who took things too far:

Staged Crimes and Dangerous Pranks

In one notorious case, social media creators staged a fake murder scene with a lifeless body covered in a white sheet. The goal? To go viral. Instead, they caught the attention of the police and faced legal action. Similarly, a YouTuber from Kasganj pretended to be dead, complete with cotton in his nostrils and a garland around his neck. The moment he “came back to life,” laughing, the authorities stepped in.

Another incident in Jhansi involved two pranksters on a motorbike spraying white foam onto an unsuspecting elderly cyclist. The man, unable to see, continued pedaling through busy traffic, putting his life at risk. The pranksters, identified as social media influencers, were later arrested. Despite these legal consequences, the trend of dangerous pranks continues. 

Risking Lives for the Perfect Selfie

The selfie craze has turned deadly. In 2018, India was named the “selfie death capital of the world” due to the high number of fatalities caused by risky photo attempts. One tragic case involved a group of young men in Karnataka posing on train tracks for a video. They underestimated the speed of an approaching train, and only one survived. 

Another shocking incident occurred in California, where a couple attempting a cliffside selfie lost their balance and fell hundreds of feet to their deaths. From rooftops to moving vehicles, people continue to put their lives on the line for the perfect shot.

Fake Luxuries and Staged Lifestyles

Beyond physical risks, some influencers manufacture fake lives to appear more successful. From renting private jets for photoshoots to posing with borrowed luxury cars, social media has blurred the lines between reality and fiction.

One influencer in Dubai was exposed after she posted multiple vacation photos, only for followers to discover she had never left her city. Another influencer faked an entire relationship for content, going as far as staging breakups and engagements. When called out, they admitted to doing it purely for engagement numbers.

The Impact on Mental Health

The relentless pursuit of validation on social media is taking a psychological toll. The pressure to maintain a curated, “perfect” online persona leads to stress, anxiety, and depression.

Low Self-Esteem and Comparison

People compare their real lives to the highlight reels of influencers and friends. This creates unrealistic expectations, leading to dissatisfaction with one’s own achievements, appearance, and lifestyle. Studies indicate that heavy social media use correlates with increased levels of body image concerns, especially among teenagers.

Social Anxiety and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

Constantly seeing others post about vacations, parties, and achievements can make users feel like they’re missing out. This fuels social anxiety, making individuals feel inadequate if they’re not constantly engaging in activities worthy of posting.

Digital Burnout and Depression

Content creators and influencers often struggle with burnout. The need to constantly produce engaging material leads to exhaustion. Many have spoken out about feeling trapped in a cycle of content creation where taking a break means losing followers, engagement, and income. This digital exhaustion can spiral into depression and withdrawal from real-life interactions.

Fake vs. Real Life

The pressure to appear perfect online has led to a surge in digital deception.

Excessive Photo Editing

Apps like FaceTune and Photoshop allow users to alter their features, making them look slimmer, taller, or blemish-free. Some influencers go as far as digitally reshaping their facial structures, creating unattainable beauty standards.

Buying Fake Engagement

To appear more influential, some users buy fake likes, followers, and comments. There are entire markets dedicated to selling artificial engagement, making it hard to distinguish real influence from manufactured popularity.

Staging Everyday Moments

Even the most casual-looking photos are often staged. Influencers carefully craft “spontaneous” moments, like waking up in bed with perfect lighting or eating a staged meal that was never actually consumed.

When Does It Become Dangerous?

Social media addiction isn’t just about wasted time. It can have real-life consequences.

Physical Harm and Death

People have lost their lives attempting viral challenges, such as the “Blackout Challenge,” which encouraged participants to hold their breath until they fainted. Multiple deaths, especially among teenagers, have been linked to such trends.

Legal Consequences

From disrupting public order to breaking traffic laws, influencers who stage illegal stunts often face police action. Countries like India have even implemented fines for dangerous reels made in public spaces.

Finding a Healthy Balance

Social media should enhance life, not control it. Here are some ways to regain control:

• Reduce Screen Time: Set daily limits and take digital detoxes.
• Unfollow Toxic Accounts: Follow creators who promote authenticity instead of perfection.
• Engage in Real-Life Activities: Spend time on hobbies, meet friends offline, and create memories beyond the screen.
• Focus on Meaningful Engagement: Instead of chasing likes, interact with content that adds value to your life.

The Future of Social Media Obsession

Where does this chase for validation lead?

A Never-Ending Cycle

As social media evolves, platforms will introduce more ways to engage, making users even more addicted to likes and validation. AI-generated influencers and deepfake technology could further blur the line between reality and illusion.

A Growing Mental Health Crisis

Without intervention, more individuals will struggle with anxiety, depression, and identity crises due to social media pressures. The rise of therapy specifically for digital burnout is already an indicator of where things are heading.

A Shift Towards Authenticity

Movements like “casual posting” are gaining traction. More people are rejecting highly curated feeds and embracing real, unfiltered moments. Digital detox trends are also growing as people seek balance.

Tech Companies Taking Action

Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have tested hiding likes to reduce social pressure. In the future, more features might be introduced to promote mental well-being.

The High Cost of Digital Applause

There was a time when applause was reserved for talent, bravery, or genuine achievement. Now, a viral video of someone risking their life for a few likes gets the same digital standing ovation. The obsession with social validation is pushing people to the edge. Sometimes literally. But in the end, the likes fade, the comments stop, and the shares slow down. What’s left? A person who once had a real life but lost themselves chasing a moment of online fame.

The choice is ours. Do we keep running on this hamster wheel, or do we step off and start living for something real?