The Comparison Trap | Psychology Today 

Social media feeds social comparison, and teenagers are most susceptible to the compare and dispair phenomenon. During the adolescent tranisition, the regions of the brain that seek and deliver social rewards become supercharged. Dopamine is activated within the brain when receiving attention or positive feedback from peers, which can drive teens to continue seeking external validation.

The downside of social media is most pronounced for passive users who scroll through other’s idealized lives as compared to active users who contribute and share. In describing the underlying dynamics of social media and how it can make one feel, this article also offers strategies to encourage healthy use.