Who is most at risk for body esteem problems after being on social media? A differential susceptibility approach with adolescents

A growing body of research indicates a negative association between adolescent social media use and body esteem. However, the factors that increase differential susceptibility to adverse outcomes remain underexplored. This study employs the Differential Susceptibility to Media Effects Model and Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to examine individual differences (n = 1) in the impact of social media on body esteem and body positivity. The sample consisted of 183 adolescents aged 12-17 who completed a series of short questionnaires up to four times a day over a 17-day period. Findings indicate that time spent on social media alone was not associated with body esteem. There was substantial variability in the impact of social media on body esteem, with 47% experiencing neutral effects, 36% experiencing negative effects, and 17% experiencing positive effects. Similar results were found for body positivity. Additionally, being female, exhibiting problematic media use behaviors, and having perfectionist tendencies predicted membership in the negative body esteem and body positivity groups. Furthermore, adolescents reporting higher eating disorder symptoms were more likely to experience decreased body positivity after using social media. Collectively, these results support taking a differential view to social media effects on adolescents which may inform educators, parents, and policymakers as they help guide adolescents and their use of social media. • There is wide variability in the impact of social media on body esteem in adolescence. • Only 36% of adolescents showed worse body esteem after being on social media. • 17% of adolescents showed better body esteem after being on social media. • Those most at risk included being female and using social media in problematic ways. • Other risk factors included high perfectionism and eating disorder symptoms.