Social media have changed the way we consume news, products and, most importantly, each other. However, they are also shaping our expectations of reality, undermining our esteem and fuelling obsessive social comparison. So, what can we do to make us mindful of the negative impacts of new media and begin benefiting from the very best our interconnected world has to offer? One fashion journalist turned influencer charts her journey into the world of social media fantasy—and why she now wants to burst the bubble. Whether you be young or old, single or a parent, many of us today are concerned about the impact of social media on our lives and communities. Katherine Ormerod is the author of the Amazon bestseller, Why Social Media is Ruining Your Life’. Written in 2018, she addresses her experiences working in new media and the problematic implications of social media. In her research she speaks with psychologists, plastic surgeons, global influencers and others to get a meta-level view on the scope of the problem and what we might be able to do about it. Katherine brings a wealth of reporting experience with staff roles at Sunday Times Style, Grazia and Glamour, specialising in fashion and social media culture. She’s also written for the FT, The Telegraph, Harper’s Bazaar and The Mail on Sunday. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx