Navigating the Waves of Online Interactions

Social media is an amazing platform for you to share your most memorable moments and biggest successes with your friends, family and the world. But have you ever stumbled upon a post or story online that made you feel a certain kind of way? A pang of jealousy, perhaps?

Maybe it was a friend sharing a major accomplishment, and while part of you was happy for them, another part felt a pang of envy that you haven’t had the same success or maybe it made you question yourself and feel inadequate? This mix of feelings is more common than you might think, and it’s a scenario that many teens, like Aarav, experience in the digital age.

In one such instance, Aarav found himself wrestling with unexpected envy when he saw a post from a classmate who had won a prestigious environmental science competition. Despite being an advocate for environmental activism himself, Aarav felt overshadowed by his classmate’s achievement. This complex cocktail of admiration and jealousy took Aarav by surprise, prompting him to reflect on his own values and how he chooses to interact online.

Initially tempted to leave a snide comment or make a passive-aggressive post, Aarav was able to realize that these impulses stemmed from his envy rather than the supportive spirit he aspired to embody. This moment of self-awareness was crucial; it led him to genuinely congratulate his classmate, thereby transforming a moment of personal turmoil into one of collective celebration for their shared cause.

Tips for managing envy and for being supportive of your peers online

1. Always Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s perfectly natural to feel envious at times. By recognizing and understanding these emotions, you have taken the first step towards managing them. Sometimes just simply acknowledging them helps makes it feel less overwhelming.

Subscribe to The Teenager Today print / digital editions to read the full article.