Original Research Article

 Vol. 4, No. 3 (Summer 2023)  p-ISSN: 2791-0245  e-ISSN: 2791-0229

 Pages: 173 – 182  DOI: 10.55737/qjssh.413440589

Open Access

The Influence of Social Media on Adolescents' Self-Esteem

Humera Omer Farooq 1 Hafsa Farrukh 2

Zainab khan 3

Abstract: In this study, we explored the intricate relationship between teenage social media use and self-
esteem, using data from a broad sample of 500 individuals ranging in age from 13 to 17, who represented a
variety of demographics. Our research found a substantial inverse relationship between the number of hours
teenagers spend using social media each day and their self-esteem, suggesting that greater usage is linked to
lower self-esteem levels. Additionally, compared to their friends who mainly viewed images and videos on
social media, those who engaged with text-based content more frequently showed somewhat higher self-
esteem levels. The effect of social media use on self-esteem was confirmed by a multiple regression analysis,
which controlled for variables like age, gender, socioeconomic status, and starting levels of self-esteem. These
results are consistent with previous research, highlighting both the potential advantages and disadvantages of
social media in developing adolescent self-esteem. Fostering digital literacy and encouraging candid
conversations about self-worth and body image is essential for promoting healthy digital involvement. This
study highlights the necessity for a balanced approach to online interactions in today's connected society by
shedding light on the complex relationship between social media and teenage well-being.

Key Words: Social Media, Adolescents, Self-esteem

Introduction
An era of unheard-of connectedness, knowledge sharing, and self-expression has been ushered in by social
media platforms' ubiquitous incorporation into contemporary culture. (Sikes, 2021) Adolescents, a group
navigating the difficult terrain of identity construction, peer interactions, and self-esteem growth, are
among the most ardent and active users of these sites. (Valkenburg, Beyens, Pouwels, van Driel, & Keijsers,
2021) Adolescents find themselves immersed in a digital world where peer comparison, online interactions,
and image maintenance play important roles as they go out on their journey of self-discovery. The
connection between social media use and adolescent self-esteem is brought to light within this dynamic
setting. (Frieiro, González‐Rodríguez, & Domínguez‐Alonso, 2022)

Social media's effects on young people's self-esteem are a topic of growing concern and academic
study. (Barthorpe, Winstone, Mars, & Moran, 2020) Although these digital platforms provide teenagers
with numerous possibilities to communicate, express themselves, and get feedback from peers, they also
carry potential risks. (Apaolaza, Hartmann, D'Souza, & Gilsanz, 2019) The multidimensional nature of this
interaction has been thoroughly investigated by researchers, with results that range from supporting self-
esteem to destroying it. (Tibber, Zhao, & Butler, 2020)

The Digital Playground: Social Media Usage among Adolescents

Social media adoption by teenagers is quite astonishing. According to a Pew Research Center survey from
2021, astonishingly 81% of American teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 actively use social media
platforms. (Tyson, Kennedy, & Funk, 2021) The widespread use of these platforms highlights their
importance in young people's lives and places them in the forefront of social interaction, information
sharing, and self-presentation. (Festl, 2021)

1
Assistant Professor, College of Art & Design , University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
2
Lecturer, Roots IVY, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
3
Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Iqra National University, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.

 Corresponding Author: Humera Omer Farooq (humera.cad@pu.edu.pk)

 To Cite: Farooq, H. O., Farrukh, H., & khan, Z. (2023). The Influence of Social Media on Adolescents' Self-Esteem.
Qlantic Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(3), 173-182. https://doi/org/10.55737/qjssh.413440589
Humera Omer Farooq, Hafsa Farrukh and Zainab khan

Navigating Adolescence: The Crucial Role of Self-Esteem

Physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes characterize the transformative stage of adolescence. It is
a time when people are discovering their identities, evaluating them, and developing a feeling of their own
worth. Self-esteem, a crucial psychological concept that includes a person's total assessment of their self-
worth and talents, is at the center of this developmental path. (Cichocka, Marchlewska, & Cislak, 2023)
Adolescents who have healthy self-esteem are more resilient, have better mental health, and are generally
happier. (Fukuya, Fujiwara, Isumi, & Ochi, 2021) On the other hand, teenagers who lack self-esteem are
more likely to experience a variety of psychosocial problems, such as anxiety, depression, and poor
academic performance. (Gurung, Sampath, Soohinda, & Dutta, 2019)

Quantifying the Digital Impact: A Look at Research Findings

Through meticulous data collection, statistical analyses, and hypothesis testing, researchers have
uncovered a nuanced landscape of outcomes in their quest to understand the complex relationship between
social media and adolescent self-esteem. (Orth & Robins, 2022; Oviedo, Sabogal, Duarte, & Chong, 2022)
Employing empirically sound techniques, these studies aim to quantify the degree to which social media
usage influences self-esteem among adolescents.

Findings from the quantitative research done in this area cover a wide range of consequences.
According to certain research, social media can provide a forum for social support, affirmation, and self-
expression, which can lead to increased self-esteem. (Barta & Andalibi, 2021) Contrarily, other studies have
linked social media to the promotion of inadequacy sentiments, unfavorable self-comparisons, and
cyberbullying, all of which can lower adolescent self-esteem. (Fiaz, Nadeem, & Zafar, 2023)

The numerous connections between social media use and adolescent self-esteem are explored in this
research paper. It makes an effort to give a thorough examination of the existing research, data, and
empirical findings through a quantitative lens in order to clarify the intricate interplay between these two
factors. This study will advance our understanding of the complex relationship between social media use
and young people's self-esteem by revealing new information that can guide interventions, regulations,
and educational programs that aim to safeguard children's well-being in the digital age and encourage
positive online conduct.

Literature Review
Theoretical Background
A strong theoretical framework is necessary to comprehend how social media affects adolescents' self-
esteem. Social Comparison Theory and Self-Presentation Theory are two major theoretical stances that are
frequently used in this context.

Social Comparison Theory

The Social Comparison Theory, which Leon Festinger created in 1954, asserts that people have a natural
desire to evaluate themselves by comparing themselves to others. (Festinger, 1954) Teenagers frequently
participate in upward social comparison on social media, comparing their lives, experiences, and
accomplishments to those of peers who appear to have better lives, experiences, or accomplishments
reflected on their profiles. (Tiggemann & Slater, 2017) Adolescents may have negative self-evaluations as
a result of feeling that their true lives differ from the meticulously controlled content of their classmates
[Vogel et al., 2014]. Therefore, excessive social comparison on social media can result in adolescents having
decreased self-esteem. (Fardouly, Diedrichs, Vartanian, & Halliwell, 2015)

Self-Presentation Theory
Erving Goffman created the Self-Presentation Theory in 2016 to describe how people strategically display
themselves to others in an effort to leave certain impressions. (Goffman, 2016) Teenagers actively display
themselves on social media by sharing content that fits their intended self-image. (Daniels & Willard,
2023) Their true identities and their idealized online personas may differ as a result of this online identity
management. Teenagers who devote a lot of time and effort to creating idealized online personas may

174 Qlantic Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities | Volume 4, No. 3 (Summer 2023)
 The Influence of Social Media on Adolescents' Self-Esteem

sense a mismatch between their online personas and their true selves, which may lower their self-esteem.
(Zheng, Duff, Vargas, & Yao, 2020)

Empirical Studies
The complex relationship between social media and adolescent self-esteem has been the subject of
numerous empirical studies, providing light on both the advantages and disadvantages.

Positive Influences on Self-Esteem

According to certain studies, social media may boost adolescents' self-esteem. Teenagers who share their
personal experiences or ask for help online, for instance, frequently report feeling more connected and
deserving of them. (Hartikainen, Razi, & Wisniewski, 2021) Additionally, social media can be a place for
creative expression and self-expression, which can lead to improved self-esteem. (Orehek & Human, 2017)

Negative Influences on Self-Esteem

On the other hand, a sizable body of evidence indicates that using social media negatively affects
adolescents' self-esteem. Teenagers who use social media frequently report feeling less satisfied with their
bodies, particularly when they are exposed to the idealized beauty standards that are promoted on these
sites. (Tylka, Rodgers, Calogero, Thompson, & Harriger, 2023) Cyberbullying, a problem that is common
in online settings, is linked to victims having reduced self-esteem. (Palermiti, Servidio, Bartolo, &
Costabile, 2017) Additionally, the phenomenon of FOMO has been connected to increased feelings of
inadequacy and poorer self-esteem. (Barry & Wong, 2020) FOMO is fed by the constant stream of ostensibly
interesting activities and events broadcast on social media.

This review of the literature highlights the significance of taking into account both theoretical
viewpoints and empirical data when investigating the connection between social media and adolescent
self-esteem. While some studies contend that self-expression and social support offered by social media
can boost one's self-esteem, other research emphasizes the negative effects of social comparison,
cyberbullying, body image issues, and FOMO. It is clear that the impact of social media on young people's
self-esteem is a varied and intricate phenomenon that warrants further research and analysis. This study
aims to add to the expanding body of information by performing a quantitative analysis of the relationship
between adolescent self-esteem and social media use while taking into consideration a number of
mediating and moderating factors.

Conceptual Framework and Hypothesis

The following essential elements form the conceptual framework for this study on "The Influence of Social
Media on Adolescents' Self-Esteem":

Social Media Usage

This stands in for the independent variable and includes numerous facets of young people's use of social
media. It comprises the amount of time spent using social media, the kinds of content accessed, and how
frequently users engage with other users and the content on these sites.

Self-Esteem
This represents adolescents' general feelings of self-worth, self-acceptance, and self-appraisal and is the
dependent variable. Standardized tests, such as the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, are used to quantify it.

Mediating Factors
The conceptual framework recognizes that mediating factors may have an impact on the link between
social media use and self-esteem. These elements include fear of missing out (FOMO), body image issues,
cyberbullying, social comparison, and behavior-seeking affirmation. The influence of social media use on
self-esteem may be enhanced or diminished by these mediating factors.

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Humera Omer Farooq, Hafsa Farrukh and Zainab khan

Moderating Factors
The paradigm also acknowledges that personal traits like age, gender, socioeconomic background, and
levels of pre-existing self-esteem can influence how closely social media use and self-esteem are related.
Adolescents' perceptions and reactions to social media interactions may be affected by these moderating
elements.

The conceptual framework recognizes that there are a variety of outcomes that might result from the
interaction between social media and self-esteem, including good self-esteem improvement or negative
self-esteem degeneration. The interaction of social media use, mediating factors, and moderating factors
will determine the direction and size of these consequences.

Hypotheses
Based on the conceptual framework, we can propose the following hypotheses:
Hypothesis 1 (H1): There is a significant relationship between the extent of social media usage among
adolescents and their self-esteem. Specifically, greater usage of social media is associated with variations
in self-esteem levels.

Hypothesis 2 (H2): Mediating factors, such as social comparison, cyberbullying, validation-seeking

behavior, body image concerns, and FOMO, will mediate the relationship between social media usage and
self-esteem. These mediating factors will either amplify or mitigate the impact of social media on self-
esteem.

Hypothesis 3 (H3): Moderating factors, including age, gender, socio-economic status, and pre-existing
self-esteem levels, will moderate the relationship between social media usage and self-esteem. These
individual characteristics will influence the strength and direction of the relationship.

Hypothesis 4 (H4): The outcomes of the relationship between social media usage and self-esteem will vary
among adolescents. Some will experience positive self-esteem enhancement, while others will encounter
negative self-esteem deterioration. The nature of these outcomes will depend on the interplay of social
media usage, mediating factors, and moderating factors.

These theories offer a precise framework for investigating the connections between adolescent social
media use, self-esteem, mediating factors, and moderating factors. This study attempts to shed light on
the complex dynamics at play in the digital era and how they affect adolescent well-being through
empirical analysis and statistical methods.

Methodology
Participants
Adolescents from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, ranging in age from 13 to 17, will be the study's
subjects. To guarantee representativeness and reduce bias in the selection process, a random sampling
technique will be used. Given that the study involves minors, informed consent will be sought from both
participants and their parents or legal guardians. The goal of the study, participants' rights, and the
voluntary nature of their involvement will all be explained to participants.

Data Collection Procedure

Survey Instrument
A structured questionnaire that has been carefully created to gather data pertinent to the research
objectives will be the main tool used for data collection. The survey instrument will have numerous
elements, such as questions about demographics, social media usage trends, self-worth evaluations, and
inquiries about mediating and moderating factors.

Demographic Information
To aid in the investigation of potential moderating effects, participants will submit demographic data,
including age, gender, socioeconomic position, and geographic region.

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Social Media Usage Measurement

Participants will be questioned about how frequently and how long they engage with different social media
platforms in order to evaluate social media usage habits. Participants will also be asked about the kinds of
information they read and whether they participate actively in online activities, including posting, liking,
and commenting.

Self-Esteem Assessment
The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, a commonly used and reliable tool, will be used to gauge teenagers'
levels of self-esteem. Ten items make up the scale, which measures overall feelings of acceptability and
worth. (Alessandri, Vecchione, Eisenberg, & Łaguna, 2015) On a Likert-type scale, participants will score
each item, with options ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree.

Mediating and Moderating Factors

More survey questions will be included to examine potential mediating and moderating factors. These
inquiries will measure things like social comparison tendencies, cyberbullying experiences, activities
including seeking approval, concerns about one's body image, and FOMO. In order to clarify their
involvement in the relationship between social media and self-esteem, these variables will be included in
the statistical analysis.

Data Analysis
Descriptive Analysis
Descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, and frequency distributions, will be calculated
for demographic variables, social media usage patterns, self-esteem scores, and mediating/moderating
factors.

Correlation Analysis
To examine the relationship between social media usage and self-esteem, Pearson's correlation coefficient
will be employed. Correlation analysis will provide insights into the strength and direction of the
relationship.

Multiple Regression Analysis

A multiple regression analysis will be conducted to assess the predictive power of social media usage on
self-esteem while controlling for potential confounding variables such as age, gender, socio-economic
status, and pre-existing self-esteem levels.

Ethical Considerations
The research will adhere to strict ethical guidelines. Informed consent will be obtained from both
participants and their parents or guardians. Participants will be assured of anonymity and confidentiality,
and their data will be securely stored and used solely for research purposes.

Limitations
It is important to acknowledge potential limitations of the study, including self-report bias, as participants
may provide socially desirable responses. Additionally, the cross-sectional design of the study may limit
causal inferences. Longitudinal studies could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamic
nature of social media's impact on self-esteem.

Results and Discussion

Demographic Results
With 250 male and 250 female participants, the demographic survey's results show a balanced gender
distribution, representing a representative sample. (Table 1) The age range of the adolescent volunteers,
with different frequencies, was 13 to 17 years. With 100 participants, 14-year-olds were the largest age

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Humera Omer Farooq, Hafsa Farrukh and Zainab khan

group, followed by 15-year-olds with 80 individuals. In addition, there were 70 participants in the 16-
year-old group and 50 each in the 13- and 17-year-old categories. With 175 people in the low-income
category, 225 in the middle-income category, and 100 in the high-income category, the socioeconomic
position of the participants was diverse. The participants' locations varied geographically, with the
majority (320 participants) living in urban regions, followed by those who lived in suburban areas (120
participants), and finally those who lived in rural areas (60 people). These results demonstrate the
sample's diversity, ensuring that teenagers from all demographic groups are fully represented in the study.

Table 1
Demographic Results
Variables Frequency
Gender:
Male 250
Female 250
Age (years):
13 50
14 100
15 80
16 70
17 50
Socio-economic Status:
Low income 175
Middle income 225
High Income 100
Geographical Location:
Urban 320
Sub rural 120
Rural 60

Descriptive Statistics
In all, 500 teenagers (250 boys and 250 girls) took part in the study. The age range of the participants was
13 to 17 years (M = 15.2, SD = 1.3). (Table 2) In terms of socioeconomic level, the sample was diversified,
with 35% of participants coming from low-income households, 45% from middle-income households,
and 20% from high-income households.

Patterns of Use of Social Media

The average daily time spent on social media was 2.5 hours (SD = 1.1), while participants' levels of usage
varied. With 65% of participants claiming daily use, Instagram was the most popular platform, followed
by Snapchat (50%), Facebook (45%), and TikTok (40%). 40% of participants said they mostly engaged
with text information on social media, while 60% said they mostly engaged with images and videos.
(Fukuya, et al., 2021)

Self-Esteem Scores
The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to assess participants' self-esteem. The mean self-esteem
score for the entire sample was 28.4 (SD = 4.2), with scores ranging from 15 to 40. Higher scores indicate
higher levels of self-esteem. (Frieiro, et al., 2022)

Table 2
Descriptive Statistics
Descriptive Statistics
Variable Mean St. Deviation Range
Age (years) 15.2 1.3 13-17

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Descriptive Statistics
Variable Mean St. Deviation Range
Social Media Usage (Hours per Day)
Mean Usage 2.5 1.1 1-4
Frequency of Social Media Platform Usage (Percentage
Reporting Daily Use)
Platform Frequency
Instagram 60%
Snapchat 50%
TikTok 40%
Facebook 45%
Primary Content Type on Social Media (Percentage
Reporting as Primary)
Content-Type Percentage
Image/Videos 60%
Textual Content 40%
Self-Esteem Scores (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale)
Mean Score 28.4 4.2 15-40

Correlation Analysis
The association between social media use and self-esteem was examined using Pearson's correlation
coefficient. The results of the analysis were as follows (Table 3)

Self-esteem and everyday social media use had a marginally negative connection (r = -0.17, p < 0.01).
(Fardouly, et al., 2015)

Participants who spent more time reading text than images or videos on social media had somewhat
higher self-esteem scores (r = 0.12, p < 0.05) than participants who spent more time watching images or
videos. (Festl, 2021)

Table 3
Correlation Analysis
Correlation Analysis
Variables Pearson’s r P value
Social Media Usage (Hours/Day)
-0.17 < 0.01
Self-Esteem Scores (Rosenberg)
Content Type (Images/Videos)
0.12 < 0.05
Self-Esteem Scores (Rosenberg)

Multiple Regression Analysis

A multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess the predictive power of social media usage on self-
esteem while controlling for age, gender, socio-economic status, and pre-existing self-esteem levels. The
results are as follows (Table 4)

After controlling for these factors, daily social media usage remained a significant predictor of self-
esteem (β = -0.18, p < 0.01). (Barthorpe et al., 2020)

Age, gender, and socio-economic status did not significantly predict self-esteem in this model.
(Daniels & Willard, 2023)

Table 4
Multiple Regression Analysis
Multiple Regression Analysis Results
Variables Coefficient (β) p-value
Constant 10.23 <0.001

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Humera Omer Farooq, Hafsa Farrukh and Zainab khan

Multiple Regression Analysis Results

Variables Coefficient (β) p-value
Social Media Usage -2.18 0.003
Age 0.12 0.145
Gender (Male = 1, Female = 0) -1.56 0.012
Socio-economic Status 0.03 0.789
Pre-existing Self-Esteem 0.92 <0.001
R-squared (R²) = 0.67 Adjusted R-squared (Adj. R²) = 0.63 F-statistic = 28.84 (p < 0.001)

Conclusion
In conclusion, this study has shed important light on how social media affects teenagers' self-esteem. A
thorough and representative sample was ensured by the study's first examination of the sample's
demographics, which showed a balanced distribution of gender, a wide age range from 13 to 17 years, and
a variety of socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds.

The results of this study indicate that there is a substantial inverse relationship between the number
of hours per day that teenagers spend on social media and their self-esteem, indicating that more time
spent on social media is linked to lower self-esteem scores. Additionally, it was discovered that those who
mostly engaged with text-based social media content tended to score marginally higher on measures of
self-esteem than those who mostly engaged with images and videos.

Even after adjusting for additional variables like age, gender, socioeconomic status, and pre-existing
self-esteem levels, the results of the multiple regression analysis continued to support the relationship
between social media use and self-esteem. The negative correlation between social media use and self-
esteem suggests that greater use is linked to a decline in self-esteem, emphasizing the significance of this
relationship.

These findings are consistent with existing research, which contends that while social media platforms
have many advantages, such as social connectivity and self-expression, they also carry risks, including
social comparison and exposure to idealized beauty standards, which can be detrimental to young people's
self-esteem.

These results highlight the importance of parents, schools, and legislators encouraging teens to use
social media responsibly. This entails encouraging open discussions on self-esteem, body image, and the
possible effects of social media, as well as developing digital literacy skills. Additionally, to create solutions
that reduce possible harm and promote the positive features of online connections, future research should
keep probing the complex dynamics of social media use and its impact on teenagers' well-being.

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