Social Media Comparisons Linked to Anxiety and Depression in Teenagers

Teenagers who compare themselves with others on social media are more likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to a study involving more than 4,000 Norwegian adolescents.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet conducted the study in collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. They found a close association between online self-comparison and symptoms of both conditions.

The findings focus on how teenagers measure themselves against other people on social platforms, rather than simply whether they use social media.

The reported link does not establish that social media comparisons cause anxiety or depression. It also concerns symptoms, which are not the same as a clinical diagnosis.

The study highlights online self-comparison as a factor worth examining when considering the relationship between teenagers’ social media experiences and their mental health.