Navigating the Digital Self: Social Media Addiction and its Effect on Social Comparison and Internalizing Symptoms

Abstract

Social comparison becomes a problematic behaviorfor university students because of the excessive usage of social media. This addiction increases social comparison, which in turn increases depression, anxiety, and stress, which are considered internalizing symptoms. This study investigated the effects of social media addiction on social comparison and internalizing symptoms in university students. Using the Social Media Addiction Scale, Social Comparison Scale, and DASS-21, the data were collected from a sample of 165 university students (87 males and 78females), aged (M = 21.38, SD = 2.52), from various departments of the University of Karachi, Pakistan. The results support theoretical theories that associate internalizing symptoms, including stress, anxiety, and depression, with social media addiction.The surprising protective effect of social comparison against depression implies that comparison processes are influenced by contextual and cultural moderators. Overall, the study emphasizes that to lessen the negative consequences of social media addiction, interventions must address both contextual support (such as family, peers, and campus resources) and individual vulnerabilities (such as coping skills and resilience).