Article: Will using social media benefit or harm users’ self-esteem? It depends on perceived relational-closeness.
Brief description
The purpose of this research was to explore the concerns of social media use and self-esteem which according to Han and Yang (2023) found inconsistent results. Two forms of study were conducted to explore the intensity of users towards social media platforms in relation to a weak or strong relational-closeness. They concluded from this study that those with a stronger relational-closeness benefited from social media over those with a weaker relational-closeness who tended to be more harmful users with a lower self-esteem.
Analysis
Han and Yang (2023) further examined the concept of social media by elaborating self-esteem depended on the nature of the social media platform used, who was using it and for what purpose. Additionally, self-esteem is intensified when users share content on social media that is viewed by others who are not friends or family (Cingel, et al., 2022). Pescott (2020) conducted research with 10-13 years using social media platforms, indicating the ease of access and influence of the internet encourages youth online socialisation regardless of the dangers. She further elaborates the need of belonging and self-disclosure to keep up with trends overrides any risks or dangers when interacting on social media. Han and Yang (2023) also touch on the concept that individuals have the need to compare themselves with others using social media.
Research suggests that social context in recent years has become central to identity, appearance and even the number of likes or lack of, placing users’ into emotional statue (Davis, 2012). However, Han and Yang (2023) argue individuals who have higher social media use through social support network sites resulted in higher self-esteem than those with higher intensity use, but share content with unknown users. Nair (2020) adds, individuals with lower self-esteem encountered difficulties in establishing relationship online due to increase use of social media causing poor quality of sleep, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, social media platforms like Facebook encourages individuals to build their profile which is viewed and scrutinised not only friends but by the public as well in which comments given can have a great impact on someone’s life and people’s self-esteem (Jan et al., 2017).
Thus, social media has many benefits when exploring websites, seeking information, connecting with people/establishing new relations and investing in social ties, however, depends on how the person uses the platform and for what, will depend on whether self-esteem will be a weak or strong relational-closeness. For some, social media can be detrimental to one’s health and well-being so people may need to seek better ways to cope with its flaws.
Total words: 398
Reference
Cingel, D. P., Cater, M. C., & Krause, H. V. (2022). Social media and self-esteem. Current Opinion in Psychology, 45, 101304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copysyc.2022.101304
Davis, K. (2012). Friendship 2.0: Adolescents’ experience of belonging and self-disclosure online. Journal of Adolescence, 35(6), 1527-1536. https://doi.org/10.1016.j.adolescence.2012.02.013
Han, Y., & Yang, F. (2023). Will using social media benefit or harm users’ self-esteem? It depends on perceived relational-closeness. Social Media+Society, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051231203680
Jan, M., Soomro, S., & Ahmad, N. (2017). Impact of social media on self-esteem. European Scientific Journal, 13(23), 329-341. https://doi.org/10.90044/esj.2017.v13n23p329
Nair, P. (2020). Understanding the complex relationship between social media and self-esteem. Artha Journal of Social Sciences, 19(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.12724.ajss.52.1
Pescott, C. K. (2020). “I wish I was wearing a filter right now: An exploration of identity formation and subjectivity of 10-and 11-year olds” social media use. Social Media+Society, 6(4), 1-10.
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