The use of social media throughout all platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, etc.) has significantly expanded during the past ten years. Since humans are inherently social beings, social media is especially well-liked since it provides chances for interaction and sharing. Social comparison opportunities grow as social media platforms improve, making them more participatory and “addicting. The detrimental effects of self-comparison, such as anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, healthy eating and poor body image, are also increased by this.
Although seemingly unrelated, it is important to note that worrying trends in young people’s mental health got worse at the same time that teenage social media and smart phones usage skyrocketed. It can be difficult to draw definitive connections between social media use and broader trends in mental health for a variety of reasons, but it is obvious that partaking in a significant amount of negative social comparison is one numerous possible causes of these trends.
This is due to the fact that fabricating a fake identity on social media in order to gain likes and followers can make personal flaws or challenges in real life appear much more challenging, and remain unaware of what’s true. Social comparison can be triggered by even minimal contact with social media, and seeing profiles of successful or healthy people was associated with lower self-evaluations.
Negative social comparison and the fear of missing out (FOMO) that refers to the belief that another person is happier or much more accomplished than themselves, social media can have a range of negative effects on mental wellbeing.
Depression has become more severe as a result of feelings of jealousy and self-doubt brought on by what others publish on social media.
Reduced general well-being: Studies have found that those who use social media heavily (up to five hours daily) have poorer self-esteem, experience depression, and suicidal thoughts sometimes.
Negative self-comparison is a typical occurrence for both gender on social media and is a significant contributor to self-esteem, particularly in the development of adolescents. Even if the desired criteria for men and women’s bodies vary, both are prone to having a negative perception of their bodies and having low self-worth.
Eating disorders: More time on social media is also associated with the desire to change one’s body through disordered eating habits. One pervasive manifestation is the diet tea craze and other restrictive “cleanses”, commonly promoted by influencers with idealized body types and moreover, body types that have often been distorted or edited for social media.
