Better, Happier and Prettier: The Role of Social Comparison on Social Networking Sites

Abstract

The current study investigated the relationship between social networking site use, selfperception, mood, and negative social comparison, as well as gender differences in these relationships. Based on social comparison theory, viewing others’ positive self-presentations online influences adolescents’ self-concept and mood as they make comparative self-evaluations. Due to underlying social developmental processes, adolescents are both highly engaged with social media and susceptible to social comparison information as a marker for their developing self-concept. Longitudinal data were collected, over three consecutive years, among 542 Dutch adolescents (51% girls) between the ages of 11 and 15 (at wave 1). Results revealed that social networking site use was not significantly related to self-perception, mood or negative social comparison. However, individuals who made more negative social comparisons online reported lower self-esteem, physical self-esteem and higher depressive symptoms one year later. Results showed no indirect effects from social networking site use to self-perception and mood, through negative social comparison. No moderation effects of gender were observed. The results of this study are discussed in the context of youth in changing cultural contexts and adolescent development.