The Delusion of Social Media: A System of Control
The Delusion of Social Media: A System of Control
A recent study titled I Tweet, Therefore I Am from Simon Fraser University has confirmed what many have suspected: social media is not just a tool for communication but a mechanism that fosters mental instability, self-delusion, and increased surveillance. Published in BMC Psychiatry, the study introduces the concept of Delusion Amplification by Social Media—a process where platforms manipulate self-perception, reinforce delusions, and encourage unhealthy behaviors, particularly in individuals already vulnerable to psychological disorders.
Social Media and the Warping of Identity
One of the key findings of the study is that social media platforms allow users to curate an idealized or false version of themselves. Unlike real-world interactions, where body language and tone of voice provide context, social media communication is heavily filtered, often leading to distorted self-images. This is especially harmful to individuals suffering from conditions like schizophrenia, narcissism, body dysmorphia, and eating disorders, as they use these platforms for validation and reinforcement of their delusions.
The study suggests that these users are drawn into a cycle of reinforcing unrealistic beauty standards and seeking affirmation for an artificially constructed self-image. Social media provides the illusion of control over how one is perceived, but in reality, it traps individuals in a system that is designed to exploit their vulnerabilities.
The Paranoia Paradox: Who is Watching Whom?
Perhaps the most revealing part of the study is its discussion on how social media fuels paranoia, particularly in individuals prone to psychotic disorders. Many users report feeling watched, cyberstalked, or even controlled by online forces. Algorithms that personalize content based on previous activity create the eerie sensation that platforms are reading minds—an effect that is not just a delusion but an observable reality.
For instance, the claim that individuals with schizophrenia believe their thoughts are being broadcast online is ironic given that predictive AI already analyzes user behavior in real-time. Ads are meticulously targeted, personal data is harvested, and online activity is tracked—yet when individuals notice this and call it out, their concerns are dismissed as paranoia or even mental illness.
This is a classic case of gaslighting. Surveillance is real, tracking is real, and AI-driven behavioral monitoring is an undisputed fact. Yet when someone points this out, they are labeled as delusional. It is a convenient strategy to discredit those who see through the system.
Social Isolation: The Engine of Digital Entrapment
The study also highlights a disturbing pattern: social isolation drives people toward social media, but social media exacerbates social isolation. Many individuals turn to online platforms due to loneliness, seeking community in the digital realm. However, instead of fostering real human connection, social media encourages more separation from reality, reinforcing delusions rather than resolving them.
This aligns with broader observations about how modern society has shifted towards digital existence. The internet was supposed to bring people together, yet it has created an environment where online validation replaces real-world relationships. People trust algorithms, influencers, and AI-curated narratives over their own experiences. This is no accident—it is by design.
The Bigger Picture: Social Media as a Control Mechanism
The implications of this study go far beyond individual cases of mental illness. If social media can amplify delusions and isolate individuals, it can also be used as a tool for mass psychological manipulation. The ability to control how people see themselves, perceive the world, and interact with information gives immense power to the entities running these platforms.
It raises the question: Is the end goal to classify resistance to digital control as a mental disorder? If surveillance is real but acknowledging it is considered paranoia, and if AI-driven narratives shape perception but questioning them is deemed delusional, then the system is effectively insulating itself from criticism.
This is why many have chosen to separate from digital spaces. The more one engages with social media, the more one risks falling into the traps of surveillance, manipulation, and artificial validation. For those who wish to retain their clarity of thought and independence, the best course of action may be to step away from the system altogether.