Beyond the screen: Social media influences perceptions of success across generation

KUCHING (Jan 6): From Instagram feeds filled with luxury lifestyles to TikTok videos showcasing career milestones, social media increasingly shaped how young people define success ― often emphasising external validation over inner fulfilment.

For Emmanuel Juan Robin, a 27-year-old lawyer, social media highlights a stark contrast between online portrayals of success and real-life growth.

“When I was younger, I saw success as achieving my dreams quickly and reaching certain milestones early.

“As time goes by, and through personal life lessons, I have realised success is not just about the end result, but about the journey,” he said.

Reflecting on his time in law school, Emmanuel said progress itself became his measure of success.

“I struggled with my studies and faced many challenges, but by staying consistent, learning from setbacks and growing through the process, I realised that building something meaningful takes time.

“With patience and effort, the goals will eventually be achieved,” he said.

He added that social media often promotes the illusion of instant success, particularly among younger generations.

“It is easy to compare ourselves with others and focus on quick wins.

“But everyone has their own pace. Real growth takes time.

“Changing your mindset to focus on the process, staying patient and trusting that God has a plan makes a big difference,” he said.

Mardriena Bonnie, a 40-year old social worker from the Sarawak Welfare Department (JKM) and a mother of two, said social media poses emotional risks, especially for children.

“Social media can cause emotional stress. I do not allow my children to sign up Facebook or Instagram accounts until they turn 18 because I am concerned about the impact of negative comments on their emotions,” said Mardriena.

She stressed the importance of parental discipline and guidance, noting that success must be grounded in realistic expectations.

“Parents need to understand the complex interactions between social media, parenting and children.

“Limiting screen time and monitoring online content is crucial,” she said, adding that she ensures her children keep up with technology mainly for educational purposes.

Viewing the issue from a workplace perspective, Keith Ardan Luhat, a 31-year-old assistant branch manager, said professional success today is often driven by unrealistic performance expectations.

“Unfortunately, personal and professional success do not always align.
“Professional success is frequently defined by lofty key performance indicators (KPIs) that are not supported by real-world circumstances,” he said.

For Keith, success now means financial stability and stress management rather than public recognition.

“I can block out the noise (stress), but many people cannot.

“This pressure is evident in corporate environments, where success is measured by output rather than well-being,” he added.

Meanwhile, Marlene Ram Bonnie, a final year student at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), reflects how social media has reshaped her academic and career goals.

“Seeing young CEOs and innovative entrepreneurs redefining the corporate landscape is genuinely inspiring. It shows what is achievabel today,” she said.

However, she acknowledged that visibility has become a prerequisite for success.

“Everything has to be documented.

“For those starting their careers, a professional social media presence has become part of personal branding and can help in securing employment,” she said.

Emmanuel echoed this sentiment, noting that social media rarely reflects the struggles behind success.

“It does not show the setbacks, patience and consistency required for real growth,” he said.

Mardriena added that young people must be guided to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills before entering the workforce.

As the New Year begins, it is a timely reminder to reflect rather than measure success by online comparisons. True success lies in self-awareness and purpose, a journey shaped beyond the screen.