“Don’t scratch that mosquito bite” – we know the itch will only fester for longer if we touch it, but we have the urge to do so. Holding back is hard when your arm, leg, or head irritates you. The same goes for social media.
The internal trigger, or itch, to reach out to your phone and scroll social media is hard to resist. And once we are there, the optimized-for-engagement feed keeps us “scratching” for a long time. Yet the itch usually fails to go away.
I feel I am now addiction-free – abandoned the usage of Facebook several years ago and often open Instagram every two weeks or so. However, my presence on LinkedIn has materially increased. I’m not the only one.
Regarding entertainment, there are various social networks: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, with X (formerly known as Twitter) also playing a similar role. When it comes to the world of work – which most of us do – there is only one place to be, LinkedIn. Having one place to focus on career development, learning new skills, and catching up with colleagues, makes things easier. There is only one place to learn about somebody’s background.
Showcasing and showing off
Conversations on the blue platform tend to be more civilized, but elements resemble the other “big blue” – Facebook. People applying for jobs need to be out there, and some veer from showcasing real achievements to showing off minor ones.
There is also a creeping in of personal things into LinkedIn. The format is well-established – write something related to a hobby, better with a nice picture, and then find a loose connection to the world of work. To polish it off, provide “lessons learned” or a comment resembling a deep insight.
I am fully guilty of such behavior. I posted a picture from a marathon I ran – at least I wasn’t at my most photogenic moment – and tied it to AI, a hot topic. Of course, I provided my insight about the use of the technology. I’m not ashamed of that post, but it wasn’t special, either. Well, people congratulated me for completing the marathon, something that happened a year ago. Thank you.
LinkedIn and loneliness
Showing off on LinkedIn is not different from doing the same on Facebook or everywhere else. Sure, you get positive comments and lots of reactions. The unbearable ease of clicking Like or Celebrate erodes the “social proof” of such reactions.
Moreover, it does not add to social well-being but rather creates the same instant gratification that fades away quickly and requires a new one. It is not a nourishing connection that makes us feel happy, and attempts to use it as such are futile.
Don’t get me wrong – LinkedIn is extremely useful for professional development, making new connections, finding suppliers, learning new skills – and reading truly inspiring insights. A LinkedIn profile is a must for everyone who was not born rich. The most of us.
And like any platform, online or offline, a professional connection made on LinkedIn can turn into a lifelong friend. Everything is possible. But for friendship to occur – and maintain – a larger effort is needed.