The Humanitarian Times

By Priscilla Pambi Tajiring

In the contemporary digital age, the internet has become a pervasive “second reality.” From social media feeds and news updates to viral videos and blogs, information flows in a relentless stream.

For many, particularly younger users, the digital world often feels like an absolute truth. However, the sobering reality remains: not everything online is authentic.
While the internet is a revolutionary tool, it is also a fertile ground for illusions. With a smartphone, anyone can publish content that reaches thousands in seconds. The fundamental problem is that speed is never a guarantee of veracity.
The Mirage of Perfection
Social media offers perhaps the most common example of digital distortion. A cursory scroll through Instagram or TikTok suggests a world of flawless skin, luxury travel, and perpetual happiness. Yet, these posts rarely reflect the full story.
A single “perfect” image is often the result of dozens of discarded attempts, further enhanced by filters, editing apps, and strategic angles. That enviable beach vacation might be heavily color-graded or posted months after the fact.

What users consume are curated highlights—carefully constructed versions of reality rather than reality itself.
This creates a psychological burden. When students compare their everyday lives to these edited lifestyles, they risk feeling inadequate. The danger lies in measuring one’s real-life “behind-the-scenes” against someone else’s “polished stage performance.”

The Virus of Misinformation
Beyond personal image, the internet struggles with a crisis of credibility. Falsehoods often outpace facts. In the rush to be first, “news” frequently goes viral before it is verified, leading to widespread confusion.
During emergencies or major national events, unverified updates can spark panic or misinform public decision-making. Many users share content based on emotional triggers rather than factual accuracy. Whether intentional or accidental, the result is a polluted information ecosystem where truth and fiction are dangerously blurred.
Deception and the Digital Predator
The anonymity of the internet also facilitates sophisticated scams. From fraudulent job offers and investment “opportunities” to impersonation schemes, digital deception is rampant.
These scams succeed by mimicking legitimacy and manipulating human emotions—be it greed, fear, or hope. Behind every “giveaway” or urgent request for personal data is often a calculated effort to exploit the unsuspecting user.
The Weight of Trends
The pressure to conform to “trends” is another subtle harm. Social media often dictates what a “successful” life or a “perfect” body should look like. While seemingly harmless, these trends can distort an individual’s self-worth and life goals. It is vital to remember that what is “trending” is not always healthy, realistic, or true to the human experience.
Navigating the Digital Maze
The objective is not to shun the internet—a tool indispensable for learning and global connection—but to approach it with a critical eye.
Cultivating the habit of questioning sources is essential. Verifying information through multiple reputable outlets and pausing before clicking “share” are simple but effective ways to filter fiction. We must recognize that the digital world often shows us only a fragment of a much larger, more complex picture.

The internet is a vast stage where anyone can perform, edit, and present their own version of the world. Some of it is genuine, some is exaggerated, and some is entirely fabricated.
Developing the discernment to tell the difference is more than just a digital habit; it is one of the most critical survival skills in our connected world. Recognizing that not everything online is real allows us to become more informed, less judgmental, and more secure in our actual lives.

*Priscilla  is a 200-level student at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Maiduguri.