Woman explains the noticeable 'what about me' effect on social media and hits the nail on the head

Ever since its inception in 1997, social media platforms have slowly and steadily taken over human lives. The dominance it enjoys over people's daily routines and emotions is unparalleled. People often bind their identity to the content presented by social media. Sarah - who goes on TikTok by @sarahthebookfairy - points out that it has unhealthy repercussions. She shared in a clip that people have become so self-centered on social media that they have difficulty dealing with content that is not directed at them. They want everything to revolve around them and feel offended when something does not consider them. The video quickly became viral, garnering 2 million views.

Sarah starts the video by giving viewers an explanation about what she calls the 'What about me?' effect. She shares that the "effect basically combines individualistic culture with being chronically online." The woman then goes on to explain how people impacted by it try to make everything about them. On TikTok, such individuals expect every content to be according to their preferences and needs, even if it has nothing to do with them. They attempt to "find a way to make it about them." They can't realize that they are not the 'target audience' for that particular content.

In order to explain her point, Sarah gave the example of the popular bean soup video by Kara - who goes on TikTok by @vibingranolamom. The creator clearly mentions that her objective is to showcase a 'bean' soup recipe that is high in iron to help people during their period. Yet, the comment section is rampant with people asking, "What should I do if I don't like beans?" or "How do I make this without the beans?" They refuse to take the hint that if they don't like beans, then maybe they should not watch a recipe that has 'bean' as the hero ingredient.

Moreover, she believes it is not normal for people to come under hairstyle videos for long hair and say, "What if I'm bald.' They should have the awareness that the video is not for them and back off. Moreover, TikTok and, by extension, social media are expansive and there is something for everyone. You cannot come to 'Cottagecore' TikTok, with gluten intolerance and engage with their content. There are a huge number of videos, featuring people baking gluten-free food and that's where such individuals should go instead of making noise under a video that was not for them. It puts both parties in distress."

The woman ends with a friendly suggestion to people who might deal with such individualistic tendencies, "Use your noggin, and remember that things are nuanced, not everything can apply to every single person and there doesn't always need to be a specific accommodation for you."

The comment section agreed with the assertions in the video. @bluecottagebakeryla shared how she has dealt with such effect in the comment section of her videos, "I get a lot of 'I hate cookie cakes' comments on my videos. Of me just decorating a cookie cake." @positivityghost commented, "I saw someone make a video about their raspberry wine business and someone commented 'what if I'm allergic to raspberries,' literally don't drink it??"