Social media: What's behind those 'likes'

"BOUGHT a condo and Porsche on the same day" - so ran a post on Facebook by a former schoolmate. Said post was followed by an emoji of a wad of money taking flight.

My finances would take a hit frompurchasing an entry-level car, and a Porsche would bankrupt me. That "life update" offered by this ex-schoolmate created quite the stir among a few of us.

A said: "This is humble bragging."

Me: "I'd rather she say 'I'm living it up!!'"

B said: "Well, I would post it on all social platforms if I could afford to make both purchases on the same day."

I felt the responses were justifiable, but they got me thinking. Is it a case of sour grapes if I consider such posts as boasting - these people probably earned their bragging rights - or would I be a hypocrite if I made myself out to behappy for my friend's apparent good life (and "liked" her post)?

Of the many questions running through my mind, one stood out: Why do most of us feel so compelled to post every detail of our lives on social media?

Snap and post. This seems to be matter of course for millennials these days. Whatever we do (yes, I am a millennial too), the camera is always part of the action.

And after innumerable pictures are taken, the next step would be to post them on a ... no ... all social media platforms.

It's a reflex, and one that I never questioned, until recently. I must confess, I am guilty of it. Once, after taking pictures with some local celebrities, I instinctively opened my Facebook app, but dithered just before uploading.

People's opinions aside, I was questioning my intention behind posting those pictures. Would they "spark joy" in others?

No, I thought.

Shawn Soh, a senior counsellor at TOUCH Youth Intervention, and DigitalMINDSET lead, says: "Most youths grew up as digital natives and social media is simply an extension of their real lives. It's where they share their thoughts and updates.

"However, because we can curate the content we share on social media, most youths and social media users would choose to present a socially desirable and positive self-view to others when online. Doing so raises their self-esteem and motivates them to post more, especially when they receive positive comments from others."

However, while we boost our own self esteem, are we doing it at the expense of someone else's?

I remember feeling like I was wasting my life eating chips and watching Netflix while random people I hardly knew on Facebook were hitting the gym, holidaying and experiencing life-changing moments. Would impressionable young people end up displaying questionable behaviour, such as continually splurging on expensive bags, clothes and restaurants, to maintain that façade?

Some people also have the idea that they can take down the posts at anytime without repercussions. This couldn't be further from the truth.

Dileep S. Rangan, business development director for the Asia-Pacific for IBM Data & AI Expert Labs and Learning, says: "Your past is rarely truly, lost on the Internet. You can delete a post or delete your account... but the deletion of an account may not delete copies of your posts that have been shared by others, especially on other social media."

I can attest to this: I once deleted an unflattering picture of myself post-party, but alas, the damage had been done, as others had already taken a screenshot of it. Needless to say, I was the laughing stock in my circle for quite a while.

More damaging is the possibility that your boss or a colleague sees what you post, or reports on your publicly displayed foibles in a way that makes you vulnerable in your job?

Rebecca Lewis, strategic director, Mutant Communications, says: "Generally speaking, don't post something you'd be embarrassed for your boss to see. If it's something you'd say out loud - or a photo or image you'd be comfortable showing your boss or a client - then it's probably okay to post on social media."

To avoid getting in hot water when navigating the social media space - the three-minute video by Singapore rapper Subhas Nair and YouTuber Preeti Nair comes to mind, among others - Adrian Tan, partner, head of intellectual property and technology, media and telecommunications at TSMP Law Corporation, has five tips we could use:

Well, I guess the pictures I took with Christopher Lee and Li Nanxing will be kept for personal viewing only.

Humble bragging much?