Perfectionism may play an important role in shaping how we use social media.

People with higher perfectionism may be more likely to compare themselves negatively online.

They may also link their self-worth more closely to likes, followers and comments.

We can take steps to develop healthier relationships with ourselves and social media.

Co-authored by Viktorie Fomínová

Social Media: An Integral Part of Modern Life

Social media platforms, such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, as well as messaging platforms, such as WhatsApp and Messenger, have become an integral part of everyday life. Around 5.79 billion users worldwide are currently active on social media, representing approximately 70% of the global population. On average, people spend around 18 hours and 36 minutes per week on social media. Teens, in particular, represent a large proportion of the population who use social media. For instance, a staggering 93-97% of teens aged 13-17 years are reported to have a social media account and over a third use social media constantly.

Social media can affect us in many ways. It has the potential to influence our self-esteem, behaviour, body image, and emotional state. Social media has many benefits, including helping us stay connected with others, providing inspiration and motivation, and offering opportunities for self-expression and creativity. However, social media use has also been linked to negative body image and mental health problems, including anxiety, depressive symptoms, and disordered eating.

The relationship between social media use and mental health is complex and far from straightforward, and researchers around the world are working to better understand it. Rather than simply asking whether social media is “good” or “bad”, it may be more useful to consider how, why, and for whom social media use may be beneficial or harmful.

Evidence suggests that perfectionism — a personality trait that involves setting irrational standards and concerns about making mistakes or falling short of........

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