Keeping up with the e-Joneses: Do online social networks raise social comparisons?

Fabio Sabatini and Francesco Sarracino

No 2018-43, Economics Discussion Papers from Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel)

Abstract: Online social networks, such as Facebook, amplify the occasions for social comparisons which are detrimental to well-being. The authors test the hypothesis that the use of social networking sites (SNS) increases social comparisons using Italian data from the Multipurpose Household Survey, and European data from Eurobarometer. The results suggest that SNS users have a higher probability to compare their achievements with those of others. This evidence is robust to endogeneity concerns. The authors conclude that, by increasing the opportunities for social comparisons, SNS can be an engine of income dissatisfaction for their users.

Keywords: social networks; social networking sites; social comparisons; satisfaction with income; relative deprivation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D83 I31 O33 Z1 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eur, nep-hap, nep-ltv, nep-pay and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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http://www.economics-ejournal.org/economics/discussionpapers/2018-43
https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/178698/1/1023274035.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
Working Paper: Keeping up with the e-Joneses: Do Online Social Networks Raise Social Comparisons? (2016)
Working Paper: Keeping up with the e-Joneses: Do Online Social Networks Raise Social Comparisons? (2016)
Working Paper: Keeping up with the e-Joneses: Do online social networks raise social comparisons? (2016)
Working Paper: Keeping up with the e-Joneses: Do online social networks raise social comparisons? (2015)
Working Paper: Keeping up with the e-Joneses: Do online social networks raise social comparisons? (2015)
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