When Social Media Turns Validation Into Pressure

In Nigeria, just like everywhere else, social media has become a big stage. And on that stage, many people feel like they must perform success. It’s no longer just about sharing your life; it’s about proving it. Your phone, your outfit, your bag, your holiday everything suddenly becomes a scoreboard. That’s what experts call status signalling — showing who you are through what you own. But in a country where things are already tough, this “show your worth” culture can turn everyday moments into public judgment zones. Take the latest viral moment with Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday. She simply called her six-year-old son during a podcast which was cute, innocent and wholesome. But the internet quickly shifted attention from the child to the phone she was holding. An iPhone 16. Immediately, social media went wild: “Why not the latest model?” “Is she showing off?” “Is the phone even hers?” The pressure got so crazy that Nkechi had to explain she actually owns several iPhones and she just picked one so people wouldn’t accuse her of flaunting wealth. Yet somehow, even trying not to show off became a problem. And that’s the real issue. Many Nigerians, celebrities or not are stuck in this weird social media maze: Show too much and you’re forming. Show too little and you’re “not doing well.” So we keep asking: Why do we feel the need to prove ourselves online? Because social media has quietly turned into a measuring tape for success, lifestyle, relationships, even happiness. And once comparison enters the chat, authenticity becomes harder to hold onto. Nkechi Blessing’s “iPhone 16 moment” wasn’t really about phones. It was a reminder that today, the pressure to impress or at least defend yourself is louder than ever. A simple call turned into a social lesson: On the internet, you’re always performing, even when you’re not trying to.