Adolescents’ selfie-activities and idealized online self-presentation: An application of the sociocultural model

Research has indicated that the taking and viewing of idealized selfies can result in negative body image outcomes. Given the negative consequences associated with selfie activities, it is important to explore factors that relate to idealized self-presentation on social media. Combining insights of sociocultural, social comparison, and objectification theory, we distinguished and examined four different pathways linking appearance media exposure to selfie-behavior (i.e., selfie taking/posting and selfie-investment and manipulation) via internalization and social media comparison. Additionally, we examined the protective role of positive peer body talk. A sample of 949 Belgian adolescents aged 14–18 (Mage = 15.45, SD = 1.37) participated in an online survey. Structural equation analyses showed that appearance-related media exposure was positively related to selfie-taking and –posting via internalization and social media comparison. Both internalization and social media comparison were positively related to selfie manipulation and selfie-investment. Additionally, results indicated a protective role of positive peer body talk against thin/athletic-ideal internalization. For adolescents who engaged in more positive body talk, watching appearance-related media content resulted in less thin/athletic-ideal internalization. Overall, the findings emphasize the crucial role of peers –and more specifically peer validation –in reinforcing and criticizing dominant appearance ideals and shaping the way adolescents present themselves online.