15 Social Media Types

Gather 'round the virtual campfire, because I'm about to embark on an expedition through the untamed wilderness of the social media jungle. Did we evolve at all or just traded loincloths for hashtags?

Imagine our ancestors huddled around a cave fire, sharing tales of the hunt and the harvest. Today – the communal fire has transformed into screens glowing with virtual connections. Evolutionary psychology explains that the fundamental desires for connection, belonging, and recognition continue to course through our veins.

To post is to proclaim, "I am here; bear witness to my existence."

The allure of social media addiction reveals a connection between ancient survival strategies and modern virtual landscapes. Here lies a primeval desire to be recognized, to carve a niche in the great digital agora.

Our ancestors sought acceptance within their tribes; we, in the digital ecosystems, seek likes, comments, and shares.

The Unhappiness in Social Media

There is evidence of a link between unhappiness and posting. The psychology behind this correlation is like peeling the layers of an onion, revealing fragility beneath bravado. In times of distress, our ancestors sought the safety of their tribes. Today, in our digital tribes, we seek virtual empathy, and connection. When the weight of the world presses down, the social media realm becomes a haven to share woes and seek validation, all in pursuit of emotional relief.

Our ancestors, huddled around those ancient fires, shared tales of their hunts and adventures, or bragging of their status and even elevating their own importance.

Fast-forward to today, and what do we do? We might not be trading stories of mammoth hunting, but we're definitely sharing our triumphs, our struggles, and everything in between. It's not just about displaying our accomplishments; it's about seeking validation from our digital tribe, proving that we're part of something bigger.

15 Social Media Archetypes: From Fashionistas to Stalkers

The Self-Proclaimed Fashionistas

These trendsetters have traded spears for selfie sticks and are turning your newsfeed into their personal catwalk. Every photo is a chance to showcase their style, strutting their stuff as if their ancestors were the original fashion-forward cavemen.

The Drama Llamas

Now, let's talk about the Gossipers or as I like to call them, the Drama Llamas. These folks have transformed social media into a digital soap opera, where every vague status update and cryptic post is a plot twist that even Arthur Conan Doyle couldn't dream up. They're like the tribal storytellers, passing down tales of who said what to whom and who's dating whom now. Move over Shakespeare, the real drama is happening on Facebook.

The Photographers

Next in our digital menagerie, we've got the iSnapers. These modern-day wizards conjure up images with just a flick of their smartphone, and voilà, your mundane breakfast now looks like it belongs in a five-star restaurant. And who cares if you burnt your toast? Just slap a filter on it, and it's an artistic masterpiece. Cave paintings, meet Instagram. #accidentalywesanderson

The Noir Nouveau

A wise man once said "Just make it black and white. It will be art." These folks have decided that life is better in black and white. Every post is a moody masterpiece, an homage to a time when life was simpler, or at least, when there were fewer filters to choose from.

The Newly Singles

The Single & Swiping crew, or as they like to say, the #SoloSojourners. These intrepid adventurers have set sail on the digital sea of singledom, using posts as their lifebuoys in the tempest of Tinder. Remember though, evolution's a marathon, not a sprint. Swipe right for survival!

The LinkedIn Luminaries

The Network Ninjas hang out on LinkedIn: the FaceBook for old people. These modern-day business warriors have turned social media into their very own corporate battleground. Every post is a chance to showcase their professional prowess and forge alliances like a digital Sun Tzu. But hey, what better way to climb the modern social ladder than by adding a splash of career climbing to your newsfeed?

The Zen Masters

In the virtual zen garden of social media, meet the Zen Masters. These digital sages have turned their profiles into sanctuaries of positivity and inner peace. Every post is a serenade to the beauty of a sunset or a carefully arranged smoothie bowl.

The Hashtag Hijackers

Then come the Hashtag Hijackers. These digital trendsters have mastered the art of riding the hashtag wave, turning everyday posts into an opportunity to be part of the latest drift, whether it's #ThrowbackThursday or #NationalAvocadoDay.

The Pet Promoters

And then we have the Pet Promoters. These pet whisperers have realized that when it comes to online fame, all you need is a cute animal by your side. Whether it's a cat striking a dramatic pose or a dog wearing sunglasses, these influensters have tapped into the timeless love affair between humans and their four-legged companions.

The Wanderlust Warriors

These digital nomads have transformed their profiles into a travelogue of epic proportions. With each post, they transport you to exotic locales, one envy-inducing photo at a time. Forget about ancient migrations; these people share their journey around the globe, proving that the spirit of exploration lives on in the digital realm. And that some are not too aware of the #globalwarming

The Foodies

AKA the Culinary Connoisseurs. These chefs have turned their profiles into gastronomic showcases, where every meal is an opportunity to unleash their inner Gordon Ramsay. From meticulously crafted avocado toasts to towering burgers that defy gravity, they are keeping the tradition of food appreciation alive and well, one mouthwatering post at a time.

The DIYers

These artisans have turned their online spaces into virtual workshops. From crafting elaborate costumes to transforming old furniture into Pinterest-worthy masterpieces, they've harnessed their inner creativity and are sharing it with the world, one homemade creation at a time.

The Fitness Fanatics

Get ready to break a sweat with the Fitness Fanatics. From documenting every rep at the gym to demonstrating gravity-defying yoga poses, they've turned social media into a 24/7 workout studio. It's like survival of the fittest has gone digital.

The Brainy Buffs

These digital wisemen have transformed their profiles into a never-ending game show. From challenging riddles to mind-bending trivia questions that make you question your own existence, they've tapped into the primal urge for mental stimulation and turned it into a digital schoolroom.

The Nature Navigators

These modern explorers have turned their profiles into a homage to the great outdoors. Whether they're scaling mountains, camping under the stars, or simply capturing the beauty of a flower in bloom, they're channeling our ancestors' connection to nature and infusing it with a digital twist.

Feel free to share any others I have missed. I personally see myself as a cross between The Brainy and Foodie type. And you?

What The Docs Say

The innate need for connectedness is woven into the very fabric of our biological makeup, serving as a testament to our social nature.

Social media platforms have emerged as powerful tools that allow us to bridge physical distances, maintain relationships, and foster a sense of belonging in an increasingly globalized world.

Numerous studies have highlighted the positive impact of social media on psychological well-being, emphasizing its role in reducing feelings of social isolation and enhancing social support networks.

However, just as with any tool, awareness of its usage is crucial. As we navigate the digital landscape, it's essential to recognize when our posting tendencies begin to exert undue influence on our psychological well-being.

Research suggests that excessive use of social media, particularly when driven by compulsive behaviors, can lead to negative outcomes such as

• heightened anxiety

• lowered self-esteema

• a skewed sense of reality.

By remaining mindful of our motivations and actively monitoring the impact of our online interactions, we can strike a balance between our innate need for connectedness and our psychological well-being in this ever-evolving digital age.

Resources:

Studies like Twenge and Campbell's research on social media use and mental health, or Kross et al.'s exploration of Facebook's impact on well-being, provide valuable insights into these dynamics (Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018).

Associations between screen time and lower psychological well-being among children and adolescents: Evidence from a population-based study. JAMA Pediatrics, 172(11), 1043-1050; Kross, E., Verduyn, P., Demiralp, E., Park, J., Lee, D. S., Lin, N., ... & Ybarra, O. (2013).

Facebook use predicts declines in subjective well-being in young adults. PLoS One, 8(8), e69841).