Social media can provide instant access to large audiences and selected communities. It has helped some to stay connected during times of societal challenge, such as the pandemic and other disasters. However, research also shows a less-discussed consequence of social media use: the potential development of entitlement by users that extends into their everyday lives. Although social media use does not automatically make people entitled, some of its core features may encourage expectations of recognition, attention, and reward that are difficult, if not impossible, to sustain in the offline world. This causes a mismatch between what is expected and reality, producing problematic behaviours from those who have been led to believe that the world will respond positively to them.

A characteristic of social media is its reliance on instant or very quick feedback in the form of likes, shares, comments, views, follower counts, etc. Such responses provide users with immediate and measurable forms of social reach—instant gratification. A constant stream of this feedback creates powerful social rewards1 that, for some, can even exert a stronger neural reaction than monetary rewards2. The impact of such digital social rewards may be stronger for those with personality disorders that create a need for social approval, like narcissists. For example, research conducted on undergraduate students3 found that receiving social media likes differentially reduced emotional distress among participants with higher narcissistic traits3. This finding suggests that online validation can become an important source of emotional reinforcement, at least for some with personality deficits.

The Frustration Gap Caused by Social Media

Over time, such feedback can shape people’s expectations, and they may become accustomed to regular praise or engagement online. They may begin to expect similar levels of recognition in workplaces, educational settings, or personal relationships. The result can be frustration when the everyday interactions fail to live up to the unreal world of digital feedback. In a digital environment, where quite ordinary activities can receive public validation, people may gradually........

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