Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/178698 
Year of Publication: 
2018
Series/Report no.: 
Economics Discussion Papers No. 2018-43
Publisher: 
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.
Subjects: 
social networks
social networking sites
social comparisons
satisfaction with income
relative deprivation
JEL: 
D83
I31
O33
Z1
Z13
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by Logo
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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