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This study explores the experiences, usage patterns, and social comparison trends on Instagram among female college students, with a focus on body image. In response to alarming rates of body dissatisfaction among college women, particularly in comparison to a Meta Inc. study, which highlighted the disproportionate impact of social comparison on young females, this research delves into the firsthand accounts of young females regarding their past and current experiences, perceptions, and usage trends on the platform. Through interviews, recurring themes emerged, indicating that many female participants engaged in social comparison on Instagram, yielding both positive and negative outcomes. Participants reported adverse effects on mental and physical well-being due to comparisons on social media, aligning with existing literature. The study further revealed that participants intentionally adjusted their habits to mitigate the negative impact of social comparison, shedding light on the evolving usage, comparison, and perceptions of social media users in response to unwanted effects during young adulthood.
Hill et al. (Fri,) studied this question.