A comparative study of state self-esteem responses to social media feedback loops in adolescents and adults

Findings highlight adolescence as a developmental stage of heightened vulnerability to digital evaluation, reflecting neurocognitive imbalance between socio-affective reactivity and regulatory control. Social comparison emerged as a mechanism that amplifies feedback effects, whereas authenticity functioned as a protective factor across all ages. These results refine theoretical models of digital self-esteem regulation and suggest targeted interventions for adolescents, including digital literacy curricula, resilience-building, and platform design modifications to mitigate comparison pressures.