Philosophers have argued that Social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are an ‘illusion’, more specifically a ‘simulation’ rapidly replacing our understanding of reality with a more optimized and artificial version of reality. Philosopher and sociologist Jean Baudrillard is notable for his theories on hyperreality and simulation. He described the simulation as a model of reality, and hyperreality as a representation of reality that has evolved in a way that it has almost become more real than reality (Baudrillard, 1994, p2). Seeing things through a social media hyperreality can lead to the inability to consciously distinguish between reality and the simulated reality. Of course, this does not mean we cannot distinguish between friends on Facebook and a friend met in person, but the actions that symbolize friendships are increasingly done through social media; communications, compliments (like and comments), even gestures like happy birthday wishes. Most people we met on social media would have historically been considered pen-pals, whom we've either never met or met proportionally and very scarcely compared to communication Facebook, Instagram, Tinder, LinkedIn, or a variety of other measures to seek out others. People react and socialize more often with the functions of social media; becoming Facebook friends with someone before actually creating a genuine friendship, or knowing who is going to be at an event on Facebook before the actual physical event takes place (Zhu, 2015). Another platform that distorts reality differently is Instagram. The app encourages users to create visual representations that are more desirable than the reality behind them through alterations, those being a simple addition of a filter, or a complete modification in someone’s physical aspects through mobile application or Photoshop. Therefore, Instagram could be defined as a database of simulations, as it collects images of only the best parts of people, this being a vacation, a sculpted body, fun with friends. Baudrillard, J., (1994). Simulacra and Simulation. University of Michigan press. UKEssays. (November 2018). Hyperreality and Simulation as Elements of the Media's Influence. Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/sociology/hyperreality-and-simulation-as-elements-of-the-medias-influence.php?vref=1 Zhu, D. (2015). Hyperreal in Social Media. Retrieved February 01, 2021, from https://my.vanderbilt.edu/robot/2015/10/hyperreal-in-social-media/

I have to disagree with the meaning of the word 'replace' as 'distorted' in this case, which is true in many ways but it is not really black and white. For example, social media may have changed the way we see the world and the way we interact, but it has also provided some with many new ways of socialisation, which they would find difficult in 'real' life. I personally believe that reality should be a mixture of both, but I do believe that social media offer a platform of personal expression for many people, as well as an opportunity for connectivity that may extend to real life too. It is true that social media can project only the 'happy' moments of a person's life and can also create unnecessary pressure on other viewers to evaluate their own lives. But there are benefits which include being able to feel good about oneself and sharing your happy moments with friends and family, wherever they are, which is the new reality for many people. Indeed, it 'cannot be overlooked that being able to stay in touch with friends around the world is a benefit. In fact, we now have the ability to make friends from around the world', which is a privilege. Social media is truly 'media' in the literal sense of connecting and providing a way of expression, just as paper, photography, etc. The way we use it creates the problems that we now face, linked as we are to what we think of as 'real'. We now live in a world of simulation, but it does not mean it is 'artificial' or less real. We have the power to find a balance and make social media a viable part of real life. As Thomas Sherry says, '[w]hat happens from here is up to us'. Works Cited Sherry, Thomas, 'A virtual life: How social media changes our perceptions' (2016) <https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/insight/from-the-magazine/a-virtual-life/> [accessed 01 February 2021]. 'How Does Social Media Alter Our Perception of Reality?' (2018) <https://www.grace.edu/social-media-vs-reality/> [accessed 01 February 2021].