Journal of Psychology and Social Sciences
Vol. 4 No. 3 (2026): Journal of Psychology and Social Sciences

Digital Exposure and Adolescent Mental Health: A Decade Review of Social Comparison Impact

Ashakumari P (Department of Clinical Psychology, AIMS, Adichunchanagiri University, India)
Vijayakumar K. S (Department of Clinical Psychology, AIMS, Adichunchanagiri University, India)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 Aug 2026

Abstract

Over the last decade, digital platforms have become an integral part of adolescents’ lives. This paper aims to examine the impact of constant exposure to digital social environments on adolescent mental health from 2015 to 2025. It emphasizes the role of digital platforms in influencing thoughts, feelings, overall personality development, and mental health outcomes among young people. This review highlights key psychological mechanisms, notably upward social comparison, through which adolescents evaluate themselves against idealized depictions of appearance, abilities, and success. Growing evidence links these processes to body dissatisfaction, lowered self-esteem, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, this paper addresses moderating factors such as gender differences and active versus passive usage patterns, alongside post-pandemic challenges arising from heightened screen engagement during COVID-19. Finally, the necessity of psychoeducational interventions, digital literacy, and multi-tiered social support systems to foster resilience is discussed.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

JPSS

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Education Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Neuroscience Public Health Social Sciences

Description

Journal of Psychology and Social Sciences is a scientific journal published by CV. Doki Course and Training. The papers to be published in JPSS are research articles (quantitative or qualitative research approaches), literature studies or original ideas that are considered to contribute to ...