The Effect Of Social Media Feedback Mechanism On Adolescent Self-Identity

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of social media feedback mechanisms, particularly likes and comments, on adolescents’ self-identity and examines the moderating role of self-esteem in this relationship. As social media has become an integral part of adolescents’ daily lives, its interactive feedback systems function as powerful social signals that shape self-perception and emotional well-being. Despite the ubiquity of digital interaction, systematic research on how specific feedback patterns affect self-identity remains limited.

A total of 200 adolescents aged 12 to 18 participated in a controlled experimental simulation replicating common social media environments. Participants were randomly assigned to six feedback conditions varying by the number of likes (high versus low) and comment type (positive, negative, or neutral). Changes in self-identity and self-esteem were measured before and after exposure using validated psychometric scales.

The findings revealed that high numbers of likes and positive comments significantly enhanced adolescents’ self-identity, while low likes and negative comments weakened it. Furthermore, self-esteem moderated these effects: individuals with higher self-esteem exhibited greater emotional stability and were less influenced by negative feedback, whereas those with lower self-esteem showed heightened sensitivity and decreased self-identity scores.

Overall, the study highlights the dual nature of social media feedback—its potential to reinforce positive identity development and its risk of amplifying self-doubt—and underscores the importance of promoting healthy digital engagement and self-esteem resilience among adolescents.