Self-Monitoring Social Rewards on Facebook Profile Pictures and Social Comparison Effect on Gen Z Egyptian Females’ Self-Presentation and Self-Esteem

Females upload profile pictures to their Facebook accounts to present their ideal selves to a virtual world. Receiving feedback on profile pictures in the form of ‘Reactions’ and comments is an integral part of the Facebook experience. ‘Reactions’ such as ‘likes,’ ‘love,’ and ‘wow,’ are seen as symbols of social acceptance. Furthermore, social comparisons can occur on Facebook. Those most prone to compare themselves to others are Generation Z (Gen Z) females, who are dependent on social media. Hence, self-monitoring and social comparison can affect females’ self-presentation and self-esteem. Accordingly, the study aims to examine the effect of self-monitoring social rewards of ‘likes’ and comments on Facebook profile pictures and social comparison on the self-presentation and self-esteem of Gen Z Egyptian females. A survey was conducted on a non-probability purposive sample of 210 female Egyptian Gen Z youth between ages 13 and 26. In addition, two interviews were conducted with a female psychiatrist and a female psychologist. Some interviewees’ opinions coincided with the survey results, whereas others opposed them.