#ShowMyNumbers
Should social media allow users to hide 'like' and follower numbers? | The Tylt
Should social media allow users to hide 'like' and follower numbers?
How many times do you refresh your Instagram feed after you've posted something? Social networks are a regular part of the average person's daily routine, sometimes even dominating that routine. Of course, these networks provide instant connectivity, but for many, participation translates to constant comparison. If networks like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook gave users an option to "hide" things like follower numbers or "like" counts, would you use it?
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Should social media allow users to hide 'like' and follower numbers?
#HideMyNumbers
Kanye West took to Twitter to advocate for the option to hide things like follower numbers and "like" counts from view. Kanye, who has 28.4 million followers on Twitter, admits the numbers have a negative impact on his mental health.
Social media metrics indicate the reach of individual posts. Businesses use social media regularly to monitor audience interactions and more.
And for many, reveling in "like" and follower counts is simply fun. When you post something on social media, chances are you are announcing something to friends and family; you might be showing them where in the world you are traveling, telling everyone about a new job or showing friends an apartment in a new city. Seeing who likes your post is akin to conversing with friends about both major and minor life moments.
#HideMyNumbers
YouTube allows users to hide their subscriber count, and Reddit doesn't show follower counts at all. If other social networks were to catch on, giving users the option to hide the number of followers they have or the number of "likes" they have on a post, users would be less inclined to compare their numbers to other users.
Given the addictive nature of social media, opting to hide these kinds of metrics certainly would not hurt.
But where would we be without legendary social media moments like Beyonce's pregnancy announcement or Kylie Jenner's introduction of Stormi Webster to the world?
Whether it's good for your own mental health or not, "likes" help social media users to see and discuss key moments in culture, politics and much more. If celebrities like Kanye hide their numbers, users' interactions with the medium could shift.
