The rapid growth of social media use among adolescents has become a significant phenomenon that influences psychological development, particularly self-esteem. Adolescents often publicize themselves through photos and personal content on social media platforms, which can trigger social comparison. Such comparisons may positively or negatively affect self-esteem, leading individuals to feel more confident, inferior, or even jealous. This study aims to explore how social media use is associated with adolescent self-esteem through a narrative literature review. The review focuses on quantitative research articles published between 2019 and 2023 that examine self-esteem among adolescent social media users. A total of 255 articles were identified, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. The selected articles were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns, similarities, and differences in research findings. The results indicate that social media use can lead to both high and low self-esteem among adolescents. High self-esteem is often associated with social recognition, positive feedback, and personal achievements displayed on social media. Conversely, low self-esteem may arise from negative social comparison and unmet expectations. These findings highlight that adolescence is a critical developmental period in which social media plays a substantial role in shaping self-esteem. Understanding these factors is essential for promoting healthier social media use among adolescents.
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