The Effects of Social Media Usage on Body Image and the Role of Social Comparison Habits among Adolescents

Abstract

This study examines the effects of social media usage on body image and the role of social comparison habits among adolescents. A sample of 200 adolescents was selected using simple random sampling, and data were collected through self-report measures including the Social Comparison Scale (SCS), Social Media Use Integration Scale (SMUIS), and the Body Image Concern Due to Social Media Scale (BICS-social media). A descriptive research design was employed, and data were analyzed using SPSS software. The findings indicate a significant relationship between increased social media usage and higher levels of body dissatisfaction. Social comparison habits, particularly upward comparisons, were identified as mediators in the link between social media use and body image concerns. Additionally, content related to beauty and fitness had a particularly strong negative influence on adolescents’ body image. The study emphasizes the need for media literacy and interventions to address social comparison behaviors and promote healthier body image perceptions among adolescents.