Understanding the Complex Relationship between Social Media and Self-Esteem

Abstract

Social media platforms have become an integral part of society, serving to connect individuals across the world and making the world a globalised place. The development of self-esteem in today’s world has been hypothesised as being closely linked to social media, especially for young teenagers. To a large extent, self- esteem is derived from formal and informal associations that we engage in and social media has become an alternate for both forms of association. For many individuals, establishing and maintaining a virtual identity takes on a priority, one that can be understood from a psychodynamic perspective. Jung’s concept of the persona and Roger’s concept of the ideal self can both be utilised to understand an individual’s growing dependence on social media and the consequent influence it has for the human psyche. Without realising the illusion that is portrayed, most fall prey to making upward comparisons with their peers and others. Thus, for those in their adolescence, without the required maturity, social media can become a lethal weapon that appears to reinforce negative perceptions about the self.