A descriptive qualitative study on the impact of social media on self-esteem: A gender comparison amongst South African young adults

Abstract

The present study explored whether social media has an impact on self-esteem with young adults; and thereafter if there are reported gender differences. Social media may be a threat to the development of self-esteem, especially in young adults who are experiencing the overwhelming transitional phase in life. A lack of research in the South African context, coupled with inadequate coverage of the impact of social media on males’ self-esteem served as the impetus for the current research. The sample consisted of two males and two females, South African young adults, aged 20-25, who had access to social media, specifically Facebook and Instagram, and lived in KwaZulu-Natal. Given the exploratory and qualitative nature of the present study, semi-structured interviews were used for data collection; and data was analysed thematically. The most significant findings were the fact that young South African males and females have a low self-esteem, as well as a negative body image in their early twenties. Individuals in their mid-twenties had an awareness of social media as a negative tool, and seem to have a higher self-esteem. This study has contributed towards addressing and identifying the effects of social media on self-esteem, and the possible gender differences in South African young adults.