The Impact of Social Media on Self-Esteem

Scrolling through social media can feel like a double-edged sword. On one hand, it creates a sense of connection and inspiration. However, it can still seriously mess with our self-esteem - no matter what age group we’re in! But the red flags in social media can be especially impactful for teens and young adults.

Why Does Social Media Cause Comparison?

Research shows a strong link between social media use and body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and depression. Why? Because platforms like Instagram and TikTok are highlight reels.

People post their best moments, often filtered or curated, and it’s too easy to compare your stress-pimples and mountains of unfolded laundry to someone else’s perfectly posed selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower on a random Tuesday.

And when we constantly measure ourselves against others, we’re more likely to feel inadequate.

Teens and young adults are especially vulnerable because their sense of identity is still developing. The likes, follows, and comments can feel like a scorecard for their worth.

It’s hard to live away from social media, because it’s engrained into life these days. And sometimes, you just want to mindlessly watch someone’s grocery routine instead of do your own, dang it!

So What Can You do to Help Limit Comparison on Social Media?

• Limit screen time: Literature shows us that reducing social media to 30 minutes a day can improve well-being.

  • Set boundaries with yourself! Touching grass can be good too!

• Curate your feed: Follow accounts that uplift, educate, and empower you, not ones that make you feel "less than.”

  • Look for normal people with normal lives. You’re not very likely to take a helicopter from campus to brunch with your celebrity crush, so why does that feel like the standard we’re unconsciously setting for ourselves?

• Practice media literacy: Remember that what you see online is often edited and staged. It's not the whole story!

  • Influencers and celebrities are people too, and despite the outlandish lives we often see them live, they still have bodies and families and things that make them human.

• Develop your friendships too: Social media can create a false sense of connection. You might even want to DM the coffee shop you’re following because it just feels like you can.

  • However, go build new, in person connections. You’ll quickly see what unfiltered humanity can look like! In fact, try visiting a crowded place like a festival or Disney World. You’ll learn really quickly that people from all over the world can look and act in so many different ways. These are wonderful, beautiful things to celebrate! Social media doesn’t need to overshadow that.

Social media isn’t inherently bad. In fact, it’s actually a powerful tool that has opened up a world of connection, careers, and advancement.

However, the key is being mindful of how it affects your self-image and life.

Don’t use it as a mirror. And if it’s starting to hurt your mental health, it’s okay to log off and reconnect with the real world! In fact, it can even be helpful to talk to a therapist about this! At Herr-Era, we’re here to help!

There’s a whole life waiting for you beyond your phone!