A comprehensive guide for understanding how narcissism on social media
impacts our mental health, how to protect ourselves and our children
from those affects as well as from narcissists, and how to use social
media more mindfully.
The Facebook Narcissist is the first book dedicated to exploring the
relationship between narcissism and social media. Lena Derhally, a
licensed psychotherapist certified in Imago therapy, delves into how
social media enhances individual and cultural narcissism and how it may
create or exacerbate toxic narcissistic tendencies in people who use it.
Using her clinical expertise, along with scientific research and
interviews with other experts in the field, she thoroughly examines: how
narcissism on social media contributes to false narratives and ruptures
relationships; how to identify a narcissist on social media (including
how to spot the more subtle sub-types of narcissist, such as the covert,
communal, and collective narcissist); how narcissism relates to the
"influencer" and celebrity culture; narcissism and cyberbullying,
cyberstalking, trolling, and victim blaming on social media; narcissism
related to racism and politics on social media; the ways social media
can create a problem of narcissism in children as they grow up, the
implications of "sharenting"; and more. Readers will discover case
studies and real examples of narcissists and how they present on social
media.
Derhally's expertise in cultivating healthy, fulfilling, and connected
relationships helps guide readers to take a deeper look at their
behaviors on social media and of those around them. At the end of each
chapter, she gives practical tips and takeaways for navigating
narcissism online. Since abandoning our devices is impractical and not
likely, this book will help readers understand how to use social media
in a balanced way that inspires fulfillment and connection instead of
the entitlement, attention-seeking, and lack of empathy that is at the
heart of narcissism. Derhally also instructs readers on how they may use
social media for good, and as a tool for positive social change. Social
media is here to stay, but with education and awareness on how it makes
us and the world more narcissistic, we can change the narrative and
focus on the ways in which social media can be positive, and even
improve the world for the better.
