'All-about-me' syndrome

The Editor, Sir:

Internet social networks such as hi5, MySpace, Twitter and Facebook have gained popularity recently, basically as a 21st-century phenomenon.  They attract users for many reasons: they allow users to remain connected to distant friends and family members, meet interesting people, date, broadcast their views, vent and other forms of personal benefits. These are valid and valuable reasons for being attached to social networks. But are there negative spin-offs from being deeply involved with these Internet spaces?

Some users upload scores of pictures of themselves and some even deliberately post provocative poses to get admiration and positive comments from other users. Moreover, status comments can gain instant attention and empathy from friends and other users. In light of all this addictive lyming, as some might style it, one's sense of self can be heightened or defused by the level of participation and involvement of others on your page.

Laden in the various scenarios (photo comments and status comments, etc) is a broadcasting of self that is highly improbable in the fast-paced working world and school environment. Self is exposed to a listening and viewing audience, which would not normally occur in day-to-day interaction. And the extreme of all of this is an exaggerated preoccupation with self and how others view us.

I am, etc.,

JESANYA SCALE

jesanya19@hotmail.com