Research
Research
Research
Research
Social Comparison
Although research has shown that social media use is beneficial in enhancing users’ satisfaction; however, Labrague found that long-term social media usage increases individuals’ levels of depression and anxiety (2020, Sun). It has been suggested that the adverse effects of social networking site use on well-being and depression are due to the large number of unappealing social comparison opportunities that one would easily come across on social networks (Rosenthal-von der Pütten et al., 2018). Social networks provide so-called one-click tools such as “like” and “save posted” that have the potential to be of social and affective relevance (Carr, Wohn, & Hayes, 2016).
Social Comparison>
“Likes” are often seen as a simple act of social support, and views of social support were predicted by its sheer quantity and the individual’s pleasure with the “Likes” they got (Chin et al., 2015). As a “social currency”, “likes” have become an overly simplified, numerical symbol of social approval and a supplementary reinforcer that fuels people’s inclination to compare themselves to others (Rosenthal-von der Pütten et al., 2018). Simply, liking has become part of a quantifiable mechanism for social comparison (Rosenthal-von der Pütten et al., 2018). The number of “likes” implies the degree to which an individual is supported. Inevitably, the simple gesture influences one’s self-concept, level of aspirations, and sense of well-being, among other related outcomes (Rosenthal-von der Pütten et al., 2018).
Self-esteem
Rosenthal-von der Pütten et al. (2018) also found that self-esteem is positively correlated with life satisfaction and positive emotions and negatively correlated with negative emotions. Self-esteem has a direct positive predictive effect on overall happiness (Rosenthal-von der Pütten et al., 2018). That said, when self-esteem and self-evaluation are positive, the individual’s happiness is stronger.
The findings of Vogel et al. (2014) suggested that when one is used to making upward comparisons, their self-esteem and relative self-evaluation are lower. People appear to be sensitive to the quantity of positive reinforcers they receive.
People with lower self-esteem and higher self-monitoring scores were prone to that “likes” are essential and would feel negative or even guilty when they did not receive “enough likes”, although the majority of respondents felt they received more than “enough Likes” for their content (Rosenthal-von der Pütten et al., 2018)