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57 pages 1 hour read

Carola Lovering

Bye, Baby

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2024

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Background

Cultural Context: The Psychology of Social Media

Social media and its influence have become an inextricable part of contemporary life. In Bye, Baby, Lovering examines the psychological benefits and drawbacks of this digital phenomenon through the character of Cassie, an Instagram influencer. Delving into the impact of digital communications on our lives, the novel explores how social media both fulfills and thwarts the human need for social connection and belonging.

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok cater to the desire for human connection by providing continuous opportunities for interaction. They enable users to maintain relationships, make new connections, and feel part of a community. Social media platforms are designed to influence psychological processes to attract and retain users. In “Dopamine, Smartphones & You: A battle for your time,” Trevor Haynes explains that social media platforms exploit the same neural pathways “used by slot machines and cocaine to keep us using their products” (Haynes, Trevor. “Dopamine, Smartphones & You: A Battle for Your Time.” Science in the News, 1 May 2018). Social media interactions—likes, comments, shares—trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This release encourages users to engage repeatedly with platforms, creating a loop of posting content and receiving feedback. In Bye, Baby, Cassie acknowledges the addictive nature of this process, describing her phone as “my greatest source of dopamine besides Ella” (244).

Social media offers a unique space for self-expression and promotion. Users can curate their profiles, highlight the best aspects of their lives, and portray themselves in a controlled manner. The use of filters on platforms like Instagram has become standard, allowing users to edit out flaws. This ability to manage how one is perceived can enhance self-esteem and provide a sense of control over one's social world. However, the editing process also raises questions about authenticity and the pressure to present an idealized version of oneself. In Lovering’s novel, Cassie is shown to present a carefully curated online persona. This perfect digital façade often differs from reality.

Social media platforms inevitably prompt social comparison as users feel that their lives are inferior to those they follow. In “Instafame: Luxury selfies in the attention economy,” A.E. Marwick suggests that the content posted by influencers equates to “catalogs of what many young people dream of having and the lifestyle they dream of living” (Marwick, Alice E. “Instafame: Luxury Selfies in the Attention Economy.” Public Culture, 2015, vol. 27, no. 1, p.155). On the one hand, seeing others succeed can be inspiring and motivating. On the other hand, such comparisons can lead to feelings of inadequacy or jealousy, exacerbating low self-esteem and anxiety. Excessive use of social media has been linked to various adverse outcomes, including depression and loneliness. While these platforms promise connection, Lovering underscores how online interactions can be superficial and isolating. As a passive user of Instagram, Billie is addicted to following Cassie, but the habit only highlights how her friend’s life has moved on without her.

Lovering’s novel illustrates how Cassie prioritizes online interactions over contacting her family, meaning her parents must join Instagram to keep up with her life. Her social media activity also intrudes on her marriage, causing tension with her husband, Grant. Cassie’s fixation with her phone during quality time with her husband accords with C.J. Beukeboom’s definition of “partner phubbing.” Beukeboom explains, “[R]esearch show[s] that phone use during co-present interactions with one's partner (partner phubbing) is negatively related to relationship satisfaction” (Beukeboom, Camiel J., and Monique Pollmann. “Partner Phubbing: Why Using Your Phone During Interactions With Your Partner Can Be Detrimental for Your Relationship.” Computers in Human Behavior, 2021, vol. 124). Bye, Baby reflects how digital interactions often replace meaningful face-to-face communication, negatively impacting one-to-one relationships with friends, family, and loved ones.

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