Panopticism In Social Media

Social media plays a huge role in societal integration and mass communication between individuals all over the world. Being Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or even Tumblr, social media users are always connected to the lives of other’s being constantly aware of what everyone else is doing at all moments. The internet is a strong component of our lives and it is almost impossible to be excluded from it. Just like in real life situations, there are certain norms imposed on us that should be followed online. When constructing a Facebook profile we should post pictures, update our statuses, have friends and be active at most times. Due to this set of rules, we emphasize discipline, surveillance, visibility and control. These elements resemble Foucault’s concept of Panopticism, which will be analysed throughout this essay.

Although it may seem that we choose to expose ourselves to others, having a Facebook account has become a societal expectation. And if someone does not have a Facebook profile, they are probably connected to another form of social media. Hence, we are always watching and we are always being watched. However, we can’t exactly verify who is watching or “stalking” our profile. Although stalking may seem like an awful thing in real life, it has become a common activity online. There is always someone observing, hence we are cautious about what we share on the social media. Thus, a virtual community is formed by multiple users with equal yet diverse backgrounds. Users come together and participate in the action of viewing one another’s

Lahaliyed 1 profiles, practicing an acceptable form of stalking, as it has now become a norm of the community.

Users are encouraged and also willing to share as much information they feel comf...

... middle of paper ...

... be seen. We are always aware that someone is watching and that can directly alter our behaviour.

Therefore, Facebook is powered by a curiosity that feeds one’s desire to know about their friends and therefore perform surveillance activities. We are all encouraged to be “Facebook stalkers” and to expose ourselves, getting rid of our privacy and making room for visibility. Social media is more than keeping touch with friends and family, it is about curiosity, surveillance and control. We are constantly being monitored and monitoring others. Social media has made us willingly become visible to anyone who wants to observe, putting our privacy at stake, as we also reinforce this behaviour by doing the same to others. It has become a perfect monitoring system, as everyone is aware of what everyone else is doing with their lives in a very entertaining and addictive manner.