Extract
[...] Kimmy and Sammy were raised in the bubble of social media, their world being strictly organized, with every minute of their days accounted for. It's an exhausting schedule, but for Melanie, the satisfaction of all the positive reactions her online profile receives is enough. She's addicted to the validation of the community she's built around her and seems to completely deny the potential impact it could have on her children. Melanie has an inner void that motherhood alone cannot fill. [...]
[...] In fact, social media facilitates social comparison. Social media provides a nearly constant exposure to carefully selected images and publications, manipulated and embellished versions of influencers' lives, which is extremely detrimental to the mental health of young people. This exposure can lead these adolescents to compare themselves unrealistically to others and can result in feelings of dissatisfaction, inferiority, and potentially lead to low self-esteem or depression. Although its execution is a bit brutal, 'Les enfants sont rois' is a pointed exploration of social media through the prism of influencer culture. [...]
[...] When we open our social media apps, a simple double tap or click on a heart-shaped icon can seem almost instinctive. We 'like' photos, posts, and tweets as if it's a reflex, without even thinking about why we do it. But understanding the psychology behind social media is not just an intellectual exercise: it can provide vital information on social behavior. This is a book that is primarily a social commentary, exploring the interest in social media and the impact it can have when it turns into an obsession. [...]
[...] In terms of marketing, it's not just a like; it's a measurable unit of public engagement. Beyond the metrics, they play a role in fundamental human needs for validation and social inclusion. This social validation is a huge motivator for the need to give and receive likes. It's a form of social proof that starts from childhood, when we seek approval from parents, family, or teachers. Social media has simply digitized this instinct. With everything we give or receive, we're essentially participating in a social exchange that reinforces our self-esteem. [...]
[...] In fact, by 2031, the children have become adults, and Melanie's son, Sammy, 'shows the most characteristic signs of what is called the Truman Show illusion or the Truman syndrome, which is a disorder in which the affected person believes that their life is being played out in front of cameras, like a TV reality show, or that they are constantly being observed through hidden cameras. Social media deeply influences adolescents. This can shape the perception of self-esteem and have an impact on how people interact with each other. It can also affect the development of social skills as well as mental health. [...]
