Relation between social media use in adolescence and popularity perception and social anxiety

The aim of this study is to examine the multidimensional relationships between adolescents' social media use, perceived popularity, and social anxiety levels. Today, social media platforms have become an important part of adolescents' social interactions, and the psychological reflections of these interactions have gained increasing importance. In this context, social media serves not only as a means of communication but also as a medium where individuals meet their psychosocial needs. In this study, the relationships between perceived popularity and social anxiety among adolescents were analyzed statistically within the framework of a causal-comparative design. The sample consisted of 230 adolescents aged between 11 and 18. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Information Form, Social Media Use Scale, Social Media Use Purposes Scale, Perceived Popularity Scale, and Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents. The data were evaluated using multiple regression, hierarchical regression, and t-test analyses. The findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between social media use and social anxiety. It was also observed that motivations such as constantly seeking likes and social approval on social media triggered anxiety. Moreover, the effect of perceived popularity on social anxiety emerged as multidimensional. This suggests that social anxiety levels vary depending on the type of social feedback received. In general, adolescents with strong peer relationships had lower levels of social anxiety, whereas those seeking approval regarding social appearance or from authority figures displayed higher levels of anxiety. No significant differences were found in terms of gender and educational level. This result indicates that social media use and social anxiety are shaped more by personal experiences and environmental factors than by demographic variables. Overall, the results demonstrate that social media use and perceptions of social visibility have a determining effect on adolescents' social anxiety. The findings contribute to the literature in developmental and media psychology and provide important implications for adolescents' psychological well-being in the digital age. In this regard, enhancing social media literacy, implementing psychoeducational programs to reduce social anxiety, and strengthening social support systems are recommended.