How TikTok and Instagram trends are shaping self-esteem among Gen Z
By Kiprono Keileb, October 9, 2025Since the 2022 presidential election, social media has become more than just a communication tool; it has become a powerful stage for influence, visibility, and connection.
Kenyan politicians, led by President William Ruto, mastered this space by turning platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram into daily campaign grounds. Ruto’s frequent updates, from church visits to rallies, built a digital intimacy with voters and reinforced his image.
That same strategy of validation and visibility is now shaping how a generation, especially Gen Z, defines confidence and self-worth.
In today’s world, confidence often comes wrapped in filters and hashtags. For many young people, especially Gen Z, TikTok and Instagram have become mirrors reflecting how they see themselves and how they want the world to see them.
With just a smartphone and an internet connection, anyone can become a creator. But with that freedom comes a new kind of pressure: the pressure to perform, impress, and stay relevant.
Likes, comments, and views have become modern-day applause. A single viral post can skyrocket someone’s confidence, while a low-engagement video can send them spiralling into self-doubt.
Many young users admit that the more attention they receive online, the better they feel about themselves, and the moment it fades, so does the feeling. The validation loop has quietly turned social media into an emotional mirror, one that reflects worth through numbers.
Every scroll tells a story; perfect smiles, expensive getaways, and flawless aesthetics dominate feeds. Behind the scenes, however, many spend hours retaking videos, editing images, and crafting captions, all in search of approval.
When compliments pour in, ‘You look great,’ ‘You’re glowing’, they give a dopamine rush, temporarily boosting self-esteem. But when the likes stop coming, silence can feel like rejection.
This constant need for validation has reshaped how Gen Z values themselves. Instead of self-esteem being built on real-world experiences, achievements, friendships, and resilience, it’s increasingly tied to digital approval. The result? A fragile kind of confidence that rises and falls with algorithms.
Scrolling through endless posts of luxury trips, glowing skin, or flawless dance moves, it’s easy to forget that much of it is staged or filtered. Some young people end up comparing their lives to what they see online, measuring happiness by digital reactions. What starts as self-expression slowly turns into self-comparison.