The use of TikTok and Instagram has a greater impact on girls’ psychological well-being during adolescence, according to a study by UPF and the UOC
This is the first quantitative study on the perception of Spanish adolescents regarding the impact of these networks on a broad number of aspects of their social life
A study by UPF and the UOC reveals that girls who use Instagram and TikTok have a more negative perception of the impact of these networks on their psychological well-being than boys. Among the possible causes, the research notes that girls use the networks more intensively and feel more observed and pressured by their outward image and projected physical appearance, in addition to requiring more external positive feedback.
The research analyses young people’s perception of the networks’ impact on many other aspects of their social life (such as group membership or the ability to express themselves just as they are). This is the first quantitative study dedicated to Spanish adolescents’ perceptions of the impact of these networks on so many dimensions of their social life.
An article published recently in the scientific journal Revista De Comunicación presents the results of the research led by Mònika Jiménez (UPF) and Mireia Montaña (UOC), its principal researchers. Both Mònika Jiménez and the main author of the article, Clara Virós, are researchers with the Communication, Advertising and Society (CAS) research group of the UPF Department of Communication. Mireia Montaña is a member of the Learning, Media and Entertainment (GAME) research group of the UOC’s Information and Communication Sciences Department.
The study is based on a survey on a representative sample of 1,043 Spanish adolescents aged 12 to 18 (50.5% girls and 49.5% boys), of whom 70.7% are users of TikTok and (TT) 63.8% of Instagram (IG). Respondents rated the impact of networks on nine aspects of their social life from 1 to 5 (most negative to most positive). Overall, the highest scoring items are as follows: the capacity for group organization (with a score of 3.52), group membership (3.51) and the possibility of expressing themselves just as they are (3.48). In all dimensions of the study, except psychological well-being, there are no relevant differences according to gender.
The impact of the networks on communication with adults, the other lowest-scoring aspect according to adolescent boys and girls
In contrast, the items with the lowest rating, both among boys and girls, are psychological well-being and communication with their closest adults (3.06 in both cases). In the case of psychological well-being, girls rate this dimension with 2.99, compared to 3.13 for boys. The other dimensions assessed are the ability to argue and debate, peer socialization, the acceptance of established norms, and decision-making and social autonomy.
In general terms, the study shows that young people consider that the use of these networks has a neutral impact on their lives, that is, that the negative effects are offset by the positive ones. Hence, the scores of all dimensions hover above the mid-point of 2.5. The youths even point to certain positive effects of the use of the networks on their psychological well-being, for example they value that they provide them with connection, support and spaces for discussion with people in similar situations.
Another conclusion of the study is that young people perceive the impact of these two networks on their social life more positively when they are users of them than when they are not. Among IG users, the capacity for group organization, and group membership, are the highest rated dimensions scoring 3.55.
TikTok’s algorithm reinforces traditional gender roles
One of the three dimensions most valued by young TT users is the possibility of being and expressing themselves just as they are (3.54). This could confirm that some young people are still unaware of the TT algorithm in respect of its ability to offer personalized content. However, the research also indicates that young people have found new ways to socialize on TT although unlike IG, this network is not designed for social interaction.
What young TT users value most is that interactions with other users facilitate their understanding and acceptance of social norms and conventions (3.56). But the study warns that this trend reduces adolescents’ critical capacity with respect to established social traditions, for example with regard to gender roles. The researchers warn of the “gender bias” of TT content such as those suggested on the “For you” page, with significant effects on adolescents.
Mònika Jiménez (UPF) states: “Fashion and beauty content that the algorithm usually offers by default to girls has a clear impact on their body image and self-esteem. In the case of boys, the fact that the suggested content is closely related to sports and competitive games, with often aggressive behaviour, reaffirms the idea of the dominant man linked to toxic masculinity, with few places where they can show their emotions”.
Mireia Montaña (UOC) adds: “Adolescent girls have a more critical and often more negative perception of the impact of social media on their well-being, possibly because they are exposed to it more intensely and feel more pressure regarding their outward appearance and receiving positive feedback . This suggests an urgent need to strengthen their emotional education and critical appraisal of networks”.
However, Mireia Montaña (UOC) warns that boys and girls are not passive consumers of networks: “Our study shows that they have rather an accurate perception of the effects of networks on their social and emotional life, although there is still room to work on their critical capacity, especially with regard to the TT algorithm. Along these same lines, Mònika Jiménez (UPF) concludes: “To date no studies have determined the extent to which adolescents possess the tools to grasp and deal with the consequences of algorithmic dictatorship, so there is a need to analyse their real capacity to do so and then decide on the tools they require”.
Reference article:
Virós-Martín, C., Jiménez-Morales, M., & Montaña-Blasco, M. (2025). Adolescentes, TikTok e Instagram: percepciones sobre el impacto de las tecnologías digitales en su vida social. Revista De Comunicación, 24(1), 519–537. https://doi.org/10.26441/RC24.1-2025-3774
Journal
Revista de Comunicación
Method of Research
Survey
Subject of Research
People
Article Title
Adolescentes, TikTok e Instagram: percepciones sobre el impacto de las tecnologías digitales en su vida social
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