Enneagram and Social Media: Usage Preferences Explained

There’s a strong connection between the Enneagram and social media usage, as your personality shapes your online behavior, from your communication style to your content preferences. Understanding how your Enneagram test result impacts the way you create, consume, and interact with online content can help you use social media more intentionally.

In this article, we’ll explore the link between the Enneagram and social media in greater depth, including which types are most prone to problematic social media use and how to prevent it.

How Personality Shapes Social Media Usage

Personality shapes social media usage by impacting how people engage with social platforms. Your personality traits, core motivations, and temperament can all affect your online behavior.

For instance, extroverted individuals usually see social media as an extension of their social lives. Therefore, they use it for networking and staying in touch with people through comments, direct messages, and daily posts. Meanwhile, introverts are more likely to post less frequently; they usually prefer consuming content over producing it.

Furthermore, your personality can also affect the type of content you’re drawn to. Highly ambitious people, for instance, typically lean toward motivational content and enjoy showcasing their achievements. Analytical individuals, on the other hand, usually enjoy informative and educational content.

Interestingly, researchers at Ain Shams University attempted to identify Twitter users’ Enneagram personality types from their biographies and Tweets. The results indicated that it is possible to detect personality types by combining Enneagram ontology, English lexicon, and statistical techniques. As such, personality traits may shape your online presence and expression.

Enneagram Types on Social Media Analyzed

Below is a detailed overview of the link between social media and Enneagram types, covering the online presence, behavioral patterns, and preferences of each type:

Enneagram 1

The Enneagram Type 1 is conscientious, ethical, and detail-oriented. It’s also known as the Perfectionist, so it’s only natural that their social media feeds are usually carefully curated, reflecting their desire for order and organization.

Because they strive for excellence, Ones typically share educational and inspiring content focused on self-improvement, whether physical or mental. Similarly, they tend to follow accounts they find helpful and motivating rather than entertaining.

When it comes to Enneagram 1 and social media preferences, this personality type usually gravitates toward LinkedIn, as they see it as a beneficial platform for their career growth. You can also often find them on Medium since they value long-form, thoughtful content.

Enneagram 2

The Enneagram Type 2 is people-oriented, kind, and supportive. They long for love and acceptance, which is why they’re usually drawn to Facebook and similar social media platforms that allow them to connect with others. They particularly appreciate Facebook groups, Instagram stories, TikTok lives, and similar features that foster direct interaction.

Twos center their lives around interpersonal relationships, so they usually post tons of pictures with family and friends. They actively engage with others by liking and commenting on their content, celebrating their successes, and so forth; as such, their online presence radiates warmth, empathy, and support.

Enneagram 3

Threes are success-oriented, ambitious, and image-conscious, which is usually apparent in their online presence. Threes often share their personal and professional milestones and optimize their content for maximum performance, be it through taking high-quality photos or using trending hashtags.

Threes usually take a competitive, proactive approach to social media. They prefer producing content over consuming it, often using social media to advance their careers. They typically gravitate toward popular platforms that enable them to reach a broad audience, such as Instagram and TikTok.

Threes also care a lot about maintaining consistent branding and like to position themselves as experts or influencers in their chosen field. It’s no surprise, then, that Kim Kardashian, one of the first social media influencers, belongs to Type Three.

Enneagram 4

Sensitive and individualistic, the Enneagram Type 4 is no stranger to aesthetic sensitivity and artistic creativity, which explains why Fours usually have unique feeds that express their authenticity. They are particularly drawn to platforms that allow them to express themselves creatively, such as Tumblr, YouTube, Substack, and Behance.

When it comes to social media, Enneagram Fours usually prioritize quality over quantity. For this reason, they may not post consistently, but when they do, their content feels intentional, meaningful, and emotionally charged. It’s not unusual for them to pay special attention to their captions, which often include introspective reflections on life and identity.

Still, Fours are rather reserved, so their online presence has an air of mystery; they may, for example, opt for symbolic visuals or cryptic captions rather than express themselves overtly. Billie Eilish and Lady Gaga are great examples of Type 4 celebrities whose social media presence is both artistic and enigmatic.

Enneagram 5

The inquisitive and independent Enneagram Type 5 values privacy, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Fives prefer to act as observers, rather than creators, on social media. Under immense stress, they may withdraw from social media altogether, as even online socializing can overwhelm them.

Whether they use X, Reddit, or YouTube, they usually do so with the intention of conducting research or sharing knowledge. However, they’re rarely interested in social networking platforms like Facebook.

Because Fives usually prefer minimal exposure, even those who create online content often conceal their identities or share little about their personal lives. Instead, Fives typically produce content that reflects their competence and intelligence, such as video essays, deep dives, or commentaries.

Enneagram 6

The Enneagram Type 6 has a strong need for security and cultivates a sense of psychological safety through belonging. As a result, Sixes are generally drawn to social media platforms that emphasize community building and engagement, such as Reddit, Discord, and Facebook.

Besides connecting with others, Sixes usually use social media to stay informed. Because they are cautious by nature, they rarely take what they see online at face value; instead, they take their time to double-check the sources to ensure they aren’t misinformed.

That said, a study conducted by Satici et al. suggests that neuroticism, a common trait in Sixes and those with this Enneagram wing, is associated with doomscrolling. As a result, people with this personality type are prone to overconsuming negative news, especially under stress. If left unaddressed, this behavior can worsen anxiety and lead to burnout.

Enneagram 7

The nature of Sevens is primarily spontaneous, fun-loving, and thrill-seeking. Because they avoid negative emotions and enjoy variety, they are mostly drawn to light-hearted, dynamic, and engaging content and social media platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram.

Sevens have a playful attitude toward life, and their online presence reflects it. Their feeds are usually colorful and full of variety; they may share fun stories from their travel adventures one day and showcase their creative projects the next. They also enjoy hopping on new trends, as it satisfies their hunger for novelty.

Although most Enneagram Sevens use social media as a playground for expressing their ideas, they are also prone to using it as a distractionunder stressful circumstances. They may, for example, scroll endlessly or jump between apps to draw their attention away from pain or anxiety.

Enneagram 8

The Eights’ online presence is just like their personality: bold, assertive, and independent. They don’t shy away from controversial topics, aren’t afraid to voice and defend their truth, and often post content centered around their personal convictions, motivational statements, and leadership.

Furthermore, they usually gravitate toward platforms that encourage discussions, such as X, Reddit, and Discord. They are also rather protective, so it’s not uncommon for them to use social media to call attention to injustice and advocate for causes or individuals they believe in. However, they can be quite confrontational and overly blunt, especially when they’re unhealthy.

Enneagram 9

The Enneagram Type 9 is calm and harmony-seeking. Their feeds, too, usually feature soothing content, such as nature photos and cozy lifestyle videos. They lean toward platforms that feel relaxing, such as Instagram and Pinterest, and follow accounts that bring them comfort rather than cover drama or polarizing topics.

When it comes to social media, Enneagram Nines usually take a passive approach; they prefer consuming content over posting and liking over commenting.

However, this doesn’t mean that getting this Enneagram test result will prevent you from gaining a massive online following. On the contrary, this type often stands out on social media thanks to its grounding andwarm online presence; Kylie Jenner is an excellent example of a Type 9 influencer.

Social Media Addiction: Trigger Warnings and Tips for Mindful Usage

Social media addiction is a growing problem throughout the world, and a common psychological driver for it is the desire for connection and validation. A study by Cheng et al. found that it is more prevalent in collectivist countries (31%) than in individualist countries (14%), which may be explained by the need to comply with ingroup norms.

Joshua Pearson from the University of Central Florida came to similar conclusions upon studying the connection between the Enneagram and social media addiction. His study reveals that Enneagram 2 is most prone to problematic social media use due to its focus on maintaining connections with others and the fear of not receiving love.

Nonetheless, anyone, regardless of their Enneagram type, can become addicted to social media.

The key warning signs indicating problematic social media use you should look out for include:

• Battling compulsive scrolling
• Experiencing sleep disruptions
• Having difficulty quitting social media
• Displaying restlessness and irritability
• Struggling with the fear of missing out (FOMO)
• Neglecting real-life responsibilities to use social media
• Skipping social events and abandoning real-life friendships

Fortunately, you can reduce the risk of developing an addiction to social media by using it mindfully.

Below are some effective tips for mindful social media usage:

• Disable non-essential notifications.
• Set time limits for using social media.
• Avoid using social media before bedtime.
• Choose meaningful interactions, such as thoughtful commenting, over mindless scrolling.
• Consciously curate your feed by following accounts that help you feel inspired or uplifted rather than stressed.

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Key Takeaways

Now that we’ve discussed the Enneagram and social media at length, it’s time to summarize the key points we covered:

• Personality and social media usage are closely connected, as personality traits, temperament, and motivations affect people’s behavior online.
• Each Enneagram type has a unique approach to social media; Threes, for example, prefer producing content, whereas Fives and Nines lean toward consumption.
• You can prevent social media addiction by adopting mindful usage strategies, such as turning off non-essential notifications and carefully selecting the accounts you follow.