Impact of virtual identities on social media on women’s self-esteem

Abstract

The present study focuses on the influence of social media (SM) on an individual’s self-esteem and self-evaluation. The construction of virtual identities in cyberspace affect individual’s mental health. The article introduces the concepts of self-esteem and self-evaluation from a psychological perspective and explores the multifaceted factors that influence the formation of virtual identities on social media. Previous research suggests that prolonged exposure to idealized images on SM may lead to dissatisfaction and mood swings in individuals, especially among young women. This phenomenon may be due in part to the fact that social media allows users to edit and present an idealized self-image. The article highlights the fact that the association between social media, self-esteem and self-evaluation is a complex and worthwhile area of in-depth research, which not only has important implications for an individual’s psychological well-being, but also involves a number of important issues in the fields of social psychology and psychological science.