Social Media Usage and Perception of Self

Social Media Usage and Perception of Self

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Abstract

Background: Current research emphasizes the widespread reliance of young adults on smartphones, resulting in repercussions on their mental well-being, particularly on self-esteem. This research hypothesizes a significant relationship between screen time and self-esteem.

Methodology: Ninety-two participants were recruited, including 13 males, 78 females, and one binary undergraduate participant from Boston University.

Data Collection Tools include internally reliable tools such as the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale to measure self-esteem and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, with a Cronbach alpha of 0.84-0.88 and 0.86, respectively.

Results: The study highlights the significant gender disparity in social media addiction, with women displaying higher addiction scores. The findings reveal a moderately negative correlation between self-esteem and social media addiction, suggesting that higher self-esteem acts as a protective factor against addiction. Additionally, the study identifies a positive correlation between self-esteem and the proportion of top-used social media applications, indicating that young adults with higher self-esteem tend to engage more with these platforms. At the same time, the data did not support the hypothesis regarding the negative relationship between screen time and self-esteem.

Conclusion: The study revealed an insignificant correlation between screen time and self-esteem. This implies the significance of strategic interventions to enhance self-esteem and reduce social media addiction in young adults, promoting healthier smartphone and social media usage habits.

Introduction

In the modern era, smartphones have become the cornerstone of communication and entertainment, secondary to technological advancements. Kwon et al. (2013) explained that smartphone use has been widespread, particularly among the younger generation, utilizing this as a tool both for entertainment and educational purposes. The researchers implicated the significance of smartphone use, including convenience and a means to improve socialization. On the other hand, Serin et al. (2019) supported these findings, stating that traditional interactions have now shifted online. However, these virtual connections pose an issue as it has been connected to addiction and other mental health issues. Excessive smartphone interactions, particularly on social media platforms, have negative connotations for the behavior of the users. This is secondary to their increasing dependence on gadgets to live and be happy (Chen et al., 2023). Fabio et al. (2022) stressed that the most concerning factor is that its daily use disrupts the routine of life, leading to alterations in psychological well-being, as manifested by low self-esteem.

Statistics demonstrate an all-time high, showing that up to 1.047 billion people use smartphones in China, with 99.6% using them for internet access (Chen et al., 2023). Considering that the number of young people in colleges and universities heavily interact with these devices, oblivious of the adverse consequences, researchers must investigate the associated impacts on this vulnerable population. Understanding the effects of mobile phone use for socializing on the self-esteem of these young adults will inform widespread interventions to protect their mental health.

Background

The emergence of smartphones as dependable devices among young adults poses a significant problem due to the likelihood of excessive exposure. Researchers indicate that this group often uses social media through their phones as a substitute for routine interactions in society. Unfortunately, continued consumption of media through these platforms triggers an addictive behavior (Kwon et al., 2013). While addictions leading to psychological health disruptions are a reality, Serin et al. (2019) agree that more youths are exposing themselves to excessive interactions with smartphone screens, worsening the situation. For instance, the authors indicate that these individuals spend between 90.47 and 171.70 minutes on Instagram, 99.33 – 163.56 on WhatsApp, and 360.78 – 157.04 messaging. They also use other apps, including Twitter, Facebook, and mobile games, demonstrating that they spend a significant proportion of their time on phones daily. Awareness of this exposure rate is worrying because of the associated implications of prolonged smartphone use among this population.

Young people depend on social media for diverse purposes. For instance, some use it for entertainment (Ostic et al., 2021). According to Serin et al. (2019), some rely on these technologies to relate with their friends online. However, this approach promotes a withdrawal behavior and minimizes physical interactions. Chen et al. (2023) also agree with this observation and emphasize that this use triggers social avoidance while creating an impression of social activeness in online spaces. Kwon et al. (2013) report users confessing that they find nothing more entertaining or fun than using their smartphones. Others claim they become irritated when disrupted while using these devices, demonstrating the extent of captivation that makes excessive use worrisome. These reactions prove that young adults are often the leading consumers of diverse media on social platforms through their smartphone use. Instead of spending quality time communicating with their peers, they actively consume addictive materials that keep them longing for more interactions with such content. Thus, the different smartphone uses by young adults increase their vulnerability to adverse outcomes.

Uncontrolled use of smartphones can have a direct or indirect impact on the subjective well-being of the user. For instance, Zeng et al. (2020) indicate that diverse factors intersect, leading to burnout. According to Ma et al. (2020), this outcome is an adverse consequence of mobile phone use, which triggers negative emotions. Many studies have explored the impact of negative emotions on an individual’s wellness, with findings