Comparison of Social Media Platforms

Aditi Subramaniam found herself feeling increasingly discontent as she scrolled through her social media feeds. Be it a LinkedIn update celebrating a job promotion or an Instagram post showcasing an extravagant getaway, years of witnessing meticulously curated digital lifestyles led her to reassess her own life. After multiple attempts to detach from her online presence, her growing discontent reached a peak, prompting a decisive exit.

“I realized that engaging with social media left me largely unhappy,” reflected Subramaniam, a neuroscientist based in the Greater Seattle region. “I often caught myself measuring my life against that of others.”

It’s challenging to escape the trap of comparison, especially when your smartphone provides endless exposure to the seemingly flawless lives of friends, acquaintances, and influencers. In 2023, Canadians spent nearly two hours daily on social media—what kind of impact does this have on their overall well-being? Is it a catalyst for encouragement or a source of despair?

Roots of Comparison

In his well-known work on acceptance and commitment therapy, The Happiness Trap, psychotherapist Russ Harris traces the origins of comparison back to early human communities. He suggests that primitive humans depended on group support for survival against dangers, utilizing comparison as a means to fit in and succeed within their social structures.

In ancient times, individuals had a limited range of peers for comparison. Today, social media has expanded that scope to millions with just a click. When this is combined with our evolutionary tendencies to compare ourselves, it’s no wonder people often feel inadequate.

“What hope do we have?” he contemplates. “We’re bound to feel insufficient!”

The Positive Side of Comparison

The desire to uncover the relationship between social media usage and self-image drove PhD candidate Carly Parsons to investigate social anxiety and comparison behaviors on Instagram.

“For a long time, we’ve recognized that using social media can leave us feeling down, fatigued, or less self-assured,” Parsons explains, noting her role as a clinical psychology doctoral student at the University of British Columbia. “It was crucial to examine how our time spent on these platforms might be influencing our emotions.”

Parsons, alongside her research team, conducted a survey of participants regarding their self-image before, during, and after browsing eight profiles of influencers on Instagram. The findings indicated that individuals with heightened levels of social anxiety experienced a notable decline in self-image while engaging with these profiles, resulting in diminished mood and self-esteem by study’s conclusion.

However, her research doesn’t propose a universal recommendation against social media use. Participants who reported low social anxiety levels actually showed a modest increase in their self-image after browsing the profiles.

“For those without significant mental health issues, looking at high achievers or aspirational lifestyles can be motivating,” she notes.

Parsons suggests that this disparity in emotional reactions may be connected to an individual’s social comparison orientation, a concept that describes how frequently a person compares their circumstances to others. Those with social anxiety tend to have a heightened propensity to engage in comparisons, rendering them more vulnerable to negative impacts.

Positive Engagement Methods

The manner in which users interact with social media can impact their emotional well-being. Proactive behaviors, such as messaging others or commenting on posts, are linked to positive feelings and a sense of community. Conversely, passive activities like scrolling aimlessly are often associated with negative feelings such as anxiety, loneliness, and depression.

To achieve a more balanced online experience, Parsons recommends that users focus on the intended social aspect of these platforms.

“Social media is designed for connection,” Parsons emphasizes. “Let’s utilize it in a healthier manner by engaging with others.”

A New Balance in Life

After stepping away for a year, Subramaniam has returned to social media, but she emphasizes that she now approaches it with more control and a healthier outlook.

“Even though I’m back online, my engagement is much more measured, and I feel I’ve established a healthier equilibrium,” she shares. “I focus more on being present and creating memories with my family rather than curating experiences for an imagined online audience.”