The Impact of Social Media on College Students Self-Esteem

Makenna Delucia | Writer

In today's digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives, especially for college

students. But while it offers various benefits and connection opportunities, it also has a

downside.

College is a time of self-discovery and growth, but it also comes with challenges and pressures.

Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have become virtual stages for not

just students, but many others to showcase their lives.

In response, competition and comparison among us young adults have intensified, with

potentially negative results.

Our self-esteem is affected by social media because it creates a filtered reality. It’s easy to

present an idealized version of yourself online since you can edit it in detail. This constant

exposure to perfectly edited images can lead to feelings of insecurity.

It’s no secret that social media platforms thrive on likes, comments, and followers, which can

create insecurity and self-doubt. We may seek validation through these statistics, judging our

self-worth by our likes or popularity. This cycle of seeking external validation can have harmful

effects on our self-esteem and well-being.

One way to reduce the negative effects of social media on self-esteem is by practicing self-

awareness and mindfulness.

Limiting our exposure to social media, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care can help us

manage our emotions and self-perception. It is also important to foster a positive and inclusive

online community and promote transparency, rather than contributing to comparisons and

insecurity, on social media.