Role of social media dependency and online reputation in instituting stress among social media users

Purpose Despite the growing use of social media platforms, it’s important to acknowledge and understand the potential negative aspects associated with its usage. This paper aims to explore the impacts of social media stress development and understand the roles of self-esteem, social media dependency and online reputation. Design/methodology/approach A survey-based quantitative approach was followed for this study, targeting social media users over 18 years of age, and the data were gathered through an online questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed to evaluate the study model. Findings Study findings indicate that higher self-esteem reduces reliance on social media. Also, social media users’ concern about the digital image is caused by increasing social media dependency, which may lead to stress as individuals struggle to maintain a positive digital image on these platforms. Originality/value This study provides valuable insights into the negative aspects of social media use, emphasizing the need for strategies to mitigate the risks associated with excessive social media use and encourage the use of healthier digital habits to ensure user’s psychological well-being.