Introduction:

Individuals are mostly evaluated regarding their body appearance. People can evaluate their
bodies positively or negatively, based on the opinions of the people around them, the ideal
standards imposed by society, and their own personal expectations. Such evaluations shape
individuals' perceptions of their bodies, and this perception is defined as "body image." (1).

Body image is a complex structure that affects not only individuals' perceptions of their
physical appearance, but also their general sense of self. Social media provides a platform for
individuals to constantly compare these perceptions with other people, which can have both
positive and negative effects on body image. Especially in this digital environment where
idealized body images are common, individuals' body perception can have effects on their
psychology.

Social media is a media tool that affects body image. (2) Filters and edits frequently
encountered on social media create idealized views that are far from reality, which can make
it difficult for individuals to accept their bodies as they are.

Self-esteem relates to how an individual evaluates the difference between their current self-
image and their ideal self. (3) Self-esteem directly affects how an individual perceives
herself, accepts and values herself.

Literature Review:

Body Image Literature Review:

Body image is what a person feels, thinks, and perceives about their physical appearance.
This is an important psychological element that affects self-esteem; Self-esteem is an
individual's overall sense of self-worth (4). Research shows a strong connection between
body image and self-esteem. Women, in particular, experience more dissatisfaction with their
bodies, and this directly affects their self-esteem (5).

With the popularization of social media, the idea of impossible beauty ideals has increased
and body image concerns have emerged. "Social Comparison Theory (6) states that people
have a desire to compare themselves with others, and social media platforms provide ample
opportunities for this." Body image is an issue that affects both men and women, but the
factors that affect self-esteem differ for men and women. It is emphasized that body image
plays an important role in shaping self-esteem and how gender differences affect this
relationship. Additionally, social media increases body image concerns by encouraging social
comparisons and propagating impossible-to-achieve beauty standards. Future research will
aim to examine interventions that reinforce a body positivity approach and aim to reduce the
negative effects of social media on self-esteem.

Social Media Literature Review:

Social media is a set of information technologies that facilitate networking and is a large part
of our lives(7). Everyone, from young people to the elderly, uses social media. In the United
States, children under the age of two spend an average of 42 minutes a day with screen media
(8). Social media use has an important place as we transition from childhood to adolescence,
and we begin to encounter more and more areas.

According to the latest national statistics, 95% of adolescents aged 13-18 have a smartphone,
while 88% have computers at home (9). But how does social media affect our psychology,
body image, and ourselves?
Social Comparison Theory explains the psychological effects of social media (Festinger,
1954). The main part of this theory is that people constantly evaluate their worth by
comparing themselves to others. Upward social comparison occurs when users are shown
photos and information about a person's life that are perceived to be better or more exciting
and happy. Less or lower ownership, qualifications, etc. Comparing with is called downward
social comparison and vice versa. Social comparisons reported in the literature can have
serious consequences, such as body image; social comparisons can alter body image and
eating behaviors (Groesz & Stice, N. D.).

Social media can positively impact self-esteem. For example, Facebook gives individuals a
sense of freedom and identity, increases their self-confidence, and cheers them up during
difficult times (12). However, it often has negative effects. Social networks cause people to
make social comparisons, which increases individuals' psychological distress and reduces
their overall self-esteem levels(13). A study of 150 business students showed that self-esteem
decreases as social media use increases; Even one hour per day spent on Facebook leads to a
decrease of 5.574 in an individual's self-esteem score (14). These findings present the
negative role of social media use on self-esteem.

Social media also negatively affects body image. Frequency of social media use is associated
with body-related concerns, such as overweight concern (15) or body image avoidance (16).
In a study conducted by Salomon and Brown (2018), the effect of social media use on
individuals' body image in early adolescence was examined. In this study, which included
142 students between the ages of 11 and 14, participants reported how often they spent time
on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and their appearance-based
behaviors, such as selfies they shared on social media or asking for likes. Findings revealed
that these effects were particularly pronounced in girls and individuals sensitive to social
approval. The study highlights that social media can negatively affect adolescents' body
image.

Research conducted in recent years also shows that certain social media platforms have a
significant impact.

As a result, research shows that social media negatively affects body image and self-esteem.
However, there is uncertainty on this issue in Türkiye. This research examines the impact of
social media use and body image on self-esteem. It aims to contribute to the literature on this
subject and shed light on future research.

Self Esteem Literature Review:

In 1965, Rosenberg stated that a person with high self-esteem has self-esteem, finds himself
valuable, thinks he is neither better nor worse than anyone else, and knows the talents he has.
Rosenberg (1965) also stated that people with high self-esteem aim to improve by becoming
aware of their own limitations as well as their shortcomings. According to Rosenberg (1965),
people with low self-esteem do not like their own image, even if they want it to be the exact
opposite. Self-esteem is also defined as "self-perception", which is a product of a person's
experiences with his or her environment, and since it is a self-perception, it provides an
explanation and prediction regarding the person's behavior (18).

Self-esteem can be used as a representation of how one generally feels about oneself. (19) It
is suggested that self-esteem regulates reactions to negative events and helps people not to
feel negative about themselves when they fail (20). High self-esteem is positive, and low self-
esteem refers to “a negative definition of the self” as well as “the value people place on
themselves” (21).

Self-esteem is divided into sub-dimensions in the literature (22). There are three
subdimensions in recent literature: global (i.e., self-esteem or trait self-esteem), state (i.e.,
feelings of self-worth), and domain-specific (i.e., self-evaluations) self-esteem (23). This is
what is meant when talking about an event that can jeopardize or increase a person's self-
esteem (23). Self-assessments are a method of assessing people's various abilities; This
means that the level of self-esteem in different domains may differ (23). Brown, Dutton, and
Cook (2001) stated that “people with high self-esteem use their self-evaluations to promote
and restore feelings of high self-worth.” Although there have been findings in favor of a
bottom-up approach (where specific self-evaluations moderate global self-esteem) in the past
(24), recent findings mostly support a top-down approach where self-esteem influences self-
evaluations (23/25).

“Global self-esteem” is the part of self-esteem that will be examined in this article.

People with high self-esteem are more persistent when faced with failure or stress (26).
According to this finding, the self-esteem of people with low self-esteem decreases
significantly and they are more affected when they encounter failure (20). Brown and Dutton
(1995) stated that one possible reason for this is that people with low self-esteem tend to
overgeneralize the negative connotations of failure. On the other hand, people with high self-
esteem do not evaluate some failures as personal failures (20).

When it comes to creating and maintaining feelings of high self-esteem, the idea that people
with high self-esteem are more capable than people with low self-esteem is supported (23).
This is accomplished by declaring that they have socially useful qualities, that the skills they
possess are important skills to have, and rejecting the undesirable characteristics that they
actually possess (23). In addition, the skills and characteristics mentioned change over the
years as the needs of people's social environment change (Brown, Dutton, & Cook, 2001).
People with high self-esteem tend to perform better in groups because they have more
initiative (26).
Again, since these people have more initiative, they can establish and end relationships more
easily (26).

Individuals with low self-esteem are more prone to victimization, and individuals with high
self-esteem tend to be more prone to positive behavior (26/27). Self-esteem acts as a barrier
against anxiety, and as a result, individuals with low self-esteem are more sensitive to
negative emotions and experience anxiety as well as physical symptoms (17/ 28/27).

Purpose:

Body perception is a psychological concept that affects how a person perceives, interprets
and evaluates his or her own physical appearance. Body perception shaped by many
situations; It can be affected by our emotions, sociocultural environment, physical sensations,
and the experiences we learn throughout life (29). In this case, it is inevitable that body
perception will be affected by the media, which is a very effective tool today. Media
networks used on the Internet have been found to have a small to moderate relationship with
body image (30). Social media, in its broadest definition, is a user-oriented online platform
where people can share their images, ideas, work and themselves, and where people come
together and strengthen their communication. (31). In recent studies, the relationship between
frequency of use of social media platforms and self-esteem has been touched upon. Self-
esteem is the positive or negative expression of one's self-evaluation and self-worth (32),
(33). In a study, it was observed that satisfaction with self-esteem and body image increased
when social media use was stopped. Accordingly, this research aimed to investigate the
relationship between these three variables by focusing on them. Since body perception
changes over the years, new research on this subject is expected to contribute to the literature
and lead to future research.

Summary of the Research (Hypothesis/Method):

This research aims to investigate body image and social media use on self-esteem.
Participants will be selected from individuals between the ages of 18-35 who actively use
social media and want to voluntarily participate in the research. Data will be collected with
various psychological measurement tools. It is aimed that this research will contribute to the
body image, social media and self-esteem literature and be a pioneer for future research.

H1 Social media use and body perception have a significant effect on self-esteem.

H2 Social media use has a negative effect on self-esteem.

H3 Individuals with positive body perception have higher self-esteem levels.

H4 There is a negative relationship between frequency of social media use and positive body
image.

Method:
The research will consist of volunteer participants between the ages of 18-35 who actively
use social media. Social Media Addiction Scale, Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale and Body
Value Scale-2 will be applied to the participants and the data obtained will be evaluated in the
data analysis program (SPSS,27). Participants: Will consist of voluntary participants between
the ages of 18-35 who actively use social media.
Possible Outcome and contribution: It is expected that there will be a significant negative
relationship between the frequency of social media use and self-esteem, positive body
perception will have a positive effect on self-esteem, and negative body perception will have
a negative effect on self-esteem. It is aimed that this research will contribute to the body
image, social media and self-esteem literature and be a pioneer for future research.

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