I “like” the way you look: How appearance-focused and overall Facebook use contribute to adolescents' self-sexualization

Prior research has related the use of social networking sites (SNSs) to body image disturbances among adolescents, but studies examining how SNSs affect adolescents' engagement in self-sexualizing behaviors are lacking. The current correlational study among 640 adolescents (Mage = 16.27, SD = 1.60) aimed to take a more nuanced look at the influence of SNS use, by examining the influence of talking about appearance-related topics with friends on Facebook in addition to total amount of Facebook use. The findings showed that appearance conversations on Facebook, but not total amount of Facebook use, was directly related to self-sexualizing behaviors. In addition, both self-objectification and the belief that complying with the prevailing appearance ideals is rewarded (with, for example, popularity, increased self-esteem, and romantic success) proved to be valid explanatory mechanisms for the examined relations. Results further showed that both boys and girls were affected by appearance-focused Facebook use, although girls scored higher on the key variables and the model fit better among the girls.