Study reveals millennials and Gen Z’s evolving relationship with social media and self-image

Study Reveals Millennials and Gen Z’s Evolving Relationship with Social Media and Self-Image

A recent study titled “SatisFace”, conducted by Italy’s University Vita-Salute San Raffaele of Milan (UniSR), offers fresh insights into the self-image perceptions and social media usage patterns of younger generations, ranging from the so-called Generation Alpha, preadolescents, to Generation Z, adolescents and young adults aged up to 30 years. The research challenges the prevailing belief of an increasing narcissism linked to selfies and highlights a shift towards community building through digital interactions.

Social Media Usage: A Shift From Self to Community

The study explores the various social media platforms preferred by different age groups within young demographics. Among 11 to 13-year-olds, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and BeReal dominate the social media landscape. As the age bracket increases to 14 to 18 years, Instagram emerges as the preferred platform, followed by TikTok, YouTube, and BeReal. Young adults between 18 to 30 years show a preference for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, while Facebook, which once commanded significant influence, finds little popularity among the younger cohorts.

Interestingly, messaging apps like WhatsApp, traditionally not considered social networks, are increasingly being used as such, signifying a melding of direct communication with broader social networking functions.

The Changing Face of Selfies

A core focus of the UniSR study is the evolving nature of selfies among young people. Unlike older generations that may exhibit an obsession with perfecting self-images to meet specific beauty standards, today’s preadolescents and adolescents largely use selfies as a means of social connection rather than self-aggrandisement. Mirror selfies, group photos with friends, and images captured at events are popular, indicating that digital photography for them is an avenue to maintain relationships rather than an exercise in vanity. Young adults also enjoy capturing moments with their pets, at events, and against picturesque backdrops, demonstrating an aesthetic appreciation beyond self-image concerns.

Despite the frequency of editing selfies, with 43.7% of adolescents and as high as 48.8% of young adults modifying photos, the intent is not to conform to idealised beauty standards dictated by algorithmic biases. For preadolescents and adolescents, editing intentions are often straightforward, such as removing perceived imperfections or simply out of habit. Among young adults, while enhancing aesthetic features is a top priority, the drive to visibly conform to specific beauty templates remains significantly low.

Early Exposure to Social Media

Emerging from the study is a trend of increasingly early exposure to social media. A substantial 70.2% of preadolescents and adolescents admitted to having used social media platforms before reaching the age of 13. Among young adults, 29.9% had such early experiences, indicating a generational shift towards younger and more frequent usage.

Parental Influence and the Rise of ‘Phubbing’

The study also sheds light on an impactful social dynamic called “parental phubbing”, a term derived from “phone snubbing”. It describes the experience of children feeling neglected by parents who are absorbed in their smartphones. This phenomenon has been associated with various negative outcomes, such as heightened internalising symptoms, increased appearance-related anxiety, and a greater likelihood of using social media as a means of emotional self-regulation. In such cases, children are more inclined towards extensive online interactions and gravitate towards platforms like TikTok. Education, particularly positive relationships with teachers, often provides a sense of stability amidst these challenges.

Through these findings, the “SatisFace” study paints a comprehensive picture of how younger individuals interact with social media and perceive their self-image, suggesting a movement towards valuing community interactions over personal image obsession.

Source: Noah Wire Services