A Study on the Changes in Adolescents’ Use of SNS and Appearance Expression: Focusing on News Article Analysis from 2010 to 2024

This study investigated how the expansion of social network services (SNS) influenced the ways in which Korean adolescents would express their appearance. Changes in discourse and practice over time were analyzed. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative analysis of major national newspaper articles published between 2010 and 2024, this study focused on keywords related to “adolescents”, “SNS”, and “appearance expression”. Findings indicated that in the early 2010s, digital self-presentation emerged as adolescents began to express their appearance through SNS, where such expressions increasingly became subject to public scrutiny. From 2015 onward, the rise of image-based platforms such as Instagram and YouTube intensified appearance-based comparisons, grooming practices, and consumption patterns. In the 2020s, appearance expression became more strategic and structured due to influence of short-form content and algorithm-driven recommendation systems, leading adolescents to brand their identities through curated self-images. These findings suggest that appearance expression has become a multifaceted practice intertwined with peer relationships, identity formation, and psychological stability. This study highlights the need for educational and policy interventions to foster a healthier sense of self and promote positive engagement with SNS among adolescents.