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‘Fakebooking’ - one third of a woman’s Facebook page is ‘spun’

20th March 2014 Print

One third of the content on the average woman’s Facebook page is ‘spun’, a new survey has revealed.  Millions of women now admit to editing and de-tagging pictures, changing ‘check-ins’ and sharing links that make them look intelligent or funny – even if they haven’t read them – to appear more interesting online.

The results also show that only one in five women are totally honest about their life online.

The rise of ‘photoshopping’ has led to one in three now editing photos before uploading them, with almost half adjusting their skin tone and one in three removing a spot or blemish on the regular.

While 40% of Facebook-friendly ladies have even specifically asked for a certain photo to be taken, just because it will make a great profile picture.

Exaggerating career developments, boasting about an active social life and fabricating status updates about domesticity or parenting skills are also common tricks among the 2,000 Brits polled.

Wayne Greensmith of Pukka Pies, which commissioned the study to encourage Brits to name and shame those who are faking it online (#FAKEORPUKKA), said: “One of the main ways people communicate today is via social media.

“This means it is now easier than ever to embellish the truth, whereby honest, authentic content is becoming increasingly harder to find.

“When you meet someone in person there’s nothing to hide behind; no Photoshop, no delete button and no option to de-tag yourself, but online, there are endless ways of showing off to make yourself appear more exciting.

“As such, Brits are now thinking carefully before posting status updates to make sure they are happy with what they say.

“They are choosing only the best photographs and videos to make sure they are at their most attractive and they are selective about materials and online content they link to, so as to appear intelligent and knowledgeable.”

The study also shows one in three think carefully about when to ‘check-in’ to places, only tagging themselves to places which are either particularly interesting or a place which will make their friends jealous.

Jealousy is a common theme, as almost half of the women polled admitted that seeing other people’s photos of exciting places/destinations  made them want to get away and do something themselves (compared to just one third of men).

Two thirds also admitted they regularly get annoyed at their friend’s posts or status updates, with one in three hating girls that act ‘fake’ and half having no time for attention-seeking, passive-aggressive statuses – men were much more relaxed, and less likely to fume at attention-seeking online behaviour.

Other fake behaviour given In to online included using old pictures as a profile picture because it looks better than anything current (27%) and de-tagging from a picture that didn’t look good (34%).

In fact, the average female ‘Fakebook’ user admitted they probably appear more attractive, seem like more of a party animal and are generally more exciting than real life suggests.

Wayne Greensmith added: “It’s hard to figure out on Facebook and Twitter what is honest content and what is an inflated claim.

“On a wider level, it is increasingly difficult to know who to trust and how to spot what is honest and authentic.

“Faced with an ever-growing amount of exaggeration and over-embellishment, we predict that Brits will soon return to realising that it’s the simple pleasures in life that matter the most.”