The Influence of Social Media on Adolescent Body Image Perception, Self-Esteem

Abstract

This study investigates the complex interactions between adolescents’ use of Social Media (SM) and their perceptions of their bodies and esteem. The research examines how the pervasiveness of SM in modern culture impacts the cognitive processes and emotional responses of adolescents through a thorough examination of the body of current literature and empirical analysis based in social psychology. Using multiple regression analysis and a cross-sectional correlational methodology, the study investigates the associations between SM use, self-esteem (SE), and body image assessment in 128 adolescents selected using quota sampling. The results of this study show a strong negative relationship between teenage SM use and SE, suggesting that higher involvement levels are associated with lower SE. Nonetheless, SM impact on how people perceive their bodies is less pronounced and not statistically significant. These results emphasize the intricacy of SM influence on teenage mental health and the necessity for more investigation to fully comprehend its underlying mechanisms.