Relationship between social media usage, social anxeity and self esteem among emerging adults

This study examines the complex relationships between self-esteem, social networking addiction, and social interaction anxiety among young adults aged 18–25. With the pervasive use of social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, concerns about their psychological impact—particularly on self-worth and social behavior—have grown. Social comparison theory suggests that constant exposure to idealized online personas may lower self-esteem, leading to compulsive social media use and heightened anxiety in real-world interactions. Using a cross-sectional survey design (N = 103), we tested three hypotheses: (1) Low self-esteem predicts social networking addiction, (2) Social networking addiction correlates with higher social interaction anxiety, and (3) Self-esteem moderates the relationship between addiction and anxiety. Results supported these hypotheses: 46.2% of addicted users had low self-esteem, and addicted individuals reported significantly higher anxiety (46.2% in generalized anxiety, 38.5% in social contexts). Moderator analysis revealed that low self-esteem intensified anxiety linked to addiction, whereas those with higher self-esteem showed resilience. The findings highlight a vicious cycle: individuals with low self-esteem may turn to social media for validation, yet excessive use exacerbates anxiety, further eroding self-worth. Practical implications include integrating self-esteem interventions in digital literacy programs and cognitive-behavioral therapies to mitigate addiction and anxiety. Limitations include reliance on self-reports and a youth-centric sample, suggesting future longitudinal and culturally diverse research. This study contributes to the growing discourse on mental health in the digital age, emphasizing the need for balanced social media engagement.