Is LinkedIn Just as Harmful as Other Social Media Platforms?
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Chapter 1: The Illusion of Success
I need to express my feelings about social media upfront: I detest it. Just to clarify, I have no accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok. However, I do use LinkedIn.
Initially, I found LinkedIn quite impressive. It appeared to be a platform aimed at enhancing our lives—helping us secure jobs, network, and conduct business efficiently. Users often shared valuable business insights, and it was interesting to browse through various profiles to see how others advanced in their careers. Plus, the occasional recruiter reaching out was a nice boost to my self-esteem.
Yet, much like starting a new job, the underlying issues soon became apparent.
Perhaps I was overly optimistic, but it didn’t take long for me to notice that many users boasted about how they had "grown tremendously" and "found their dream roles," claiming they were able to "tap into their full potential and achieve remarkable feats." It was nauseating.
The troubling part is that even when we recognize the facade, it starts to feel genuine.
"Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth."
- Joseph Goebbels
Witnessing others achieve seemingly extraordinary success can make one feel inadequate.
Initially, I thought I was alone in these feelings. Looking at my close friends, I felt overshadowed. My wife is a doctor, and my closest friends are experts in technology, finance, and business development. I work as a content manager, which is decent, but not something I consider particularly noteworthy.
When a friend suggested I join a group for successful immigrants in Israel, I hesitated, admitting that I didn’t believe I belonged among such high achievers. My friends paused, surprised, and exclaimed, "What are you talking about?"
That reaction was unexpected. What astounded me even more was when they confessed to feeling similarly unaccomplished in their own careers. I had always viewed them as exemplars of immigrant success in Tel Aviv while I struggled to keep pace. It turned out we were all navigating the same challenges.
The final straw regarding my disillusionment with LinkedIn occurred when I inquired about a mutual acquaintance—an individual I frequently saw on LinkedIn who seemed to epitomize success. She had founded a small VC firm backed by prominent investors, received numerous accolades, and traveled extensively. To my eyes, she was thriving.
However, in the close-knit world of Tel Aviv, where everyone in the industry is interconnected, I asked a friend for her perspective. The response was shocking: underwhelming.
According to my friend, the impressive online persona didn’t align with the actual person. The real accomplishments were less grand than they appeared.
Perhaps this could be attributed to professional jealousy. Yet, I trust my friends, which is why I choose to spend time with them. Still, it was evident how the LinkedIn effect had clouded my judgment and impacted my friend's perceptions as well. It creates a façade, obscuring the truth and fostering a distorted reality.
I came to a realization: LinkedIn can be just as detrimental as any other social media platform.
Chapter 2: The Dark Side of Professional Networking
Section 2.1: The Facade of Accomplishment
The pressure to project success can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt among users.