Hello, You. Social Media Was Made for Narcissists

Hello, You. (Read in your inner Joe Goldberg Voice)
Scrolling again, aren’t you? Feed after feed, story after story. You tell yourself it’s just to “stay connected,” but let’s not lie to each other. Social media isn’t just a connection, it’s a stage. And on this stage? The narcissists are the headliners.

They thrive here, don’t they? The likes, the comments, the curated snapshots of a life you’ll never fully see. It’s all designed to keep you admiring, envying, consuming. And while everyone dabbles in a little self-promotion, some were built for this arena.

Agentic Narcissists: The Social Media Superstars

They’re not just posting for fun, You. They’re performing. Agentic narcissists—that’s the type that turns social media into their hunting ground. Their core traits aren’t flaws to them—they’re tools.

Self-Centeredness: Every photo, every caption, screams me, me, me.
Craving Admiration: They don’t just want your likes—they need them.
Superiority Complex: They’ll tell you they’re smarter, better, more accomplished. And maybe you’ll start to believe it.
Exploitation: You aren’t a friend—you’re a rung on their ladder, and sometimes their pet project if they feel it will make them look better.
Lack of Empathy: Your feelings? Irrelevant. Your admiration? Essential.

You scroll past, maybe even double-tap, never realizing you’ve just fed the monster.

Why Social Media Feels Like It Was Built for Them

Because it was, You. The ecosystem couldn’t be more perfect.

Validation at Scale: Likes, shares, followers—it’s a bottomless pit of applause.
Curated Reality: They can edit, filter, erase every flaw until perfection feels real.
Exploitation in Disguise: A “friendly” message, a “collaboration,” a “networking opportunity”—but it’s always about what they gain.
Authority Without Substance: Post enough polished tips and people will believe you’re an expert, no credentials required.

Do you see it now? Social media isn’t neutral. It’s a mirror that flatters the narcissist and blinds You.

The Danger You Don’t Notice

Not every influencer is a villain, no. But the narcissist doesn’t just want admiration; they want control.

They manipulate emotions, drawing You into a cycle of praise and shame.
They exploit followers, selling dreams while siphoning your trust and money.
They distort self-worth, making You feel small so they look bigger.

And You? You keep scrolling, thinking this is normal.

How You Protect Yourself

You can’t delete the internet, but you can reclaim your power.

Pause Before Admiring: Ask if this person is truly helping or just harvesting validation.
Spot the Pattern: If it’s all wins, all superiority, all about them, it’s not authentic.
Guard Your Energy: Don’t play comparison games with a highlight reel.
Curate Your Feed: Choose creators who inspire, teach, and make You feel more than just an audience member.

Final Thought

Hello again, You. Still here? Good. Because if you remember anything, remember this: not every glossy feed is real, and not every “connection” is safe. Social media may have been built for all of us, but it rewards the narcissist best.

Be careful, You. Because while you’re scrolling, someone else is watching. Someone who knows exactly how to make You feel seen, envied, and sadly, used.

And they’ll always be just one post away.