Sex differences in the moderating effect of age on the relationship between social networking service use and self-esteem

The relationship between excessive Social Networking Service (SNS) usage and self-esteem is intricate, with ongoing research aiming to better understand this dynamic. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine whether the impact of SNS usage on self-esteem varies by age and sex. This study utilized a nationally representative survey from the 2020 Korea Media Panel Survey, including 9650 respondents aged 13 and older, comprising 4839 female (50.1 %) and 4811 male (49.9 %). To examine the moderated moderation effects of age and sex, Process Macro 4.0 Model 3 was employed. Findings revealed significant sex differences in the moderating effects of age on the relationship between SNS usage and self-esteem. Among women aged 20 and younger, the negative association between SNS usage and self-esteem became stronger as age decreased. Conversely, among women aged 33 years and older, the positive correlation between SNS usage and self-esteem strengthened as age increased. The moderating effect was not significant among men. These findings highlight the critical role of sex and age in the relationship between SNS usage and self-esteem, suggesting that adolescent girls are especially vulnerable to its adverse effects, whereas older women exhibit a positive association with SNS usage. This study provides valuable insights for nurses in designing interventions to mitigate the psychological harm of excessive SNS usage among vulnerable groups, such as adolescent girls, while also informing strategies to leverage SNS as a means of enhancing self-esteem among older women.