Vera Iaconelli: "Social media sells an impossible world to reach"

Social media creates an illusion of luxury and constant happiness, leading to unmet expectations and frustration, according to psychoanalyst Vera Iaconelli. During her visit to Portugal, she discussed how consumption has shifted from materialism to social recognition, with expensive products becoming a way to validate self-worth. This constant dissatisfaction is exacerbated by curated online realities, pushing individuals towards excessive consumption. Iaconelli highlights the negative impact of influencer lifestyles on mental health, emphasizing that happiness should be found in the present rather than in material possessions. She also calls for increased regulation of social media to protect both adults and children from its addictive nature.