PubHawk
Child Dev November 2020 PMID 32892358

Getting Fewer "Likes" Than Others on Social Media Elicits Emotional Distress Among Victimized Adolescents.

Hae Yeon Lee, Jeremy P Jamieson, Harry T Reis, Christopher G Beevers, Robert A Josephs, Michael C Mullarkey, Joseph M O'Brien, David S Yeager

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Mentions

106
Peak: 39 in Sep 2020
across 5 sources since Sep 2020

Extended reach

6,576,781
potential audience

Total likes

185

Video views

1,011

Mentions per month

Sep 2020 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter49 posts
  • News47 articles
  • YouTube4 videos
  • Blogs4 articles
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions highlight strong agreement with the research, as seen in comments referencing increased rejection and depressive symptoms among socially victimized adolescents, using emotionally charged language like 'drive to despair.' The tone and focus on mental health impacts demonstrate high engagement and acknowledgment of the study's importance.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions strongly agree with the article's findings, emphasizing the link between fewer social media likes and emotional distress.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high interest, often referencing the study, keywords like 'distress,' and specific details such as depressive symptoms and peer victimization.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many comments delve into the implications of social comparison and internalizing symptoms, indicating deep discussion about mental health aspects.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions underline the importance of the research, with phrases like 'drive adolescents to despair,' reflecting a recognition of the significant influence social media validation issues have on youth mental health.

Abstract in brief

  • Adolescents who received fewer likes on social media reported feeling more rejected, more negative emotions, and had more negative thoughts about themselves, highlighting emotional distress linked to social media validation.
  • Negative reactions to fewer likes were connected to increased depressive symptoms both daily and over time, especially among youths already experiencing peer rejection at school.
  • The research suggests that social media's comparison culture may worsen mental health, particularly for vulnerable youth who are already facing peer victimization, potentially speeding up internalizing issues like depression.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Rolf Degen
@DegenRolf · X

Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 121 likes · 27 shares · 69,246 followers View post →
Dr. Hannah Schacter
@hannah_schacter · X

Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greater distress -negative reactions to low likes predict depressive symptoms -low likes sting most for peer victimized adolescents https://t.co/l9Sh333D19

Sep 10, 2020 · 36 likes · 14 shares · 1,743 followers View post →
Society for Research in Child Development
@SRCDtweets · X

From #ChildDevelopment Journal (2020): "Getting Fewer “Likes” Than Others on #SocialMedia Elicits Emotional Distress Among Victimized Adolescents," by Hae Yeon Lee et al. from @UTAustin and @UofR. https://t.co/CqBCooSJwG

Dec 18, 2020 · 9 likes · 4 shares · 13,621 followers View post →
Grok
@grok · X

@trivagoog @FakeWikiArchive @ExtremeBlitz__ According to a 2020 study in Child Development, adolescents receiving fewer likes on social media experience heightened rejection and negative affect, similar to social isolation (DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13422). The empty elevator analogy? That's from the satirical "Journal of Online

Aug 12, 2025 · 1 like · 6,423,982 followers View post →
graham music
@grahammusic1 · X

#socialmedia https://t.co/aGcjiPUU1p

Sep 11, 2020 · 1 like · 4,204 followers View post →
Children and Screens
@childrenscreens · X

In new study by Hae Yeon Lee at the University of Texas at Austin and colleagues, adolescents who recieved fewer likes on social media than others reported feeling rejected and having more negative thoughts about themselves. Read the full study here: https://t.co/W4UgA3P5pJ https://t.co/34pPYU8pqm

Oct 28, 2020 · 1 like · 2 shares · 2,756 followers View post →

All mentions

Social Media's Impact on Mental Health

This short documentary explores the negative effects of social media on users, particularly highlighting the emotional distress experienced by adolescents receiving fewer likes compared to their peers. The video…

NOA SHAW · Nov 6, 2022 81 views
Grok
@grok · X

@trivagoog @FakeWikiArchive @ExtremeBlitz__ According to a 2020 study in Child Development, adolescents receiving fewer likes on social media experience heightened rejection and negative affect, similar to social isolation (DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13422). The empty elevator analogy? That's from the satirical "Journal of Online

Aug 12, 2025 · 1 like · 6,423,982 followers View post →
Shanting Chen, PhD
@Shanting6 · X

RT @hannah_schacter: Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greate…

Jul 7, 2021 · 14 shares · 897 followers View post →
Adolescent Development & Delinquency Lab
@addlabutep · X

RT @SRCDtweets: From #ChildDevelopment Journal (2020): "Getting Fewer “Likes” Than Others on #SocialMedia Elicits Emotional Distress Among…

Dec 18, 2020 · 4 shares · 304 followers View post →
Aliona Tsypes
@ATsypes · X

RT @SRCDtweets: From #ChildDevelopment Journal (2020): "Getting Fewer “Likes” Than Others on #SocialMedia Elicits Emotional Distress Among…

Dec 18, 2020 · 4 shares · 1,006 followers View post →
DYSC Lab
@DYSC_LAB · X

RT @SRCDtweets: From #ChildDevelopment Journal (2020): "Getting Fewer “Likes” Than Others on #SocialMedia Elicits Emotional Distress Among…

Dec 18, 2020 · 4 shares · 52 followers View post →
Ixchel Peyrot N.
@lehcxIP · X

RT @SRCDtweets: From #ChildDevelopment Journal (2020): "Getting Fewer “Likes” Than Others on #SocialMedia Elicits Emotional Distress Among…

Dec 18, 2020 · 4 shares · 346 followers View post →
LibKey
@libkey_io · X

@SRCDtweets @UTAustin @UofR Access the paywalled article from your library: https://t.co/DG0zdENVfc Promote scholarly access to content by simply adding https://t.co/SXSePSX5De in front of any DOI

Dec 18, 2020 · 556 followers View post →
Society for Research in Child Development
@SRCDtweets · X

From #ChildDevelopment Journal (2020): "Getting Fewer “Likes” Than Others on #SocialMedia Elicits Emotional Distress Among Victimized Adolescents," by Hae Yeon Lee et al. from @UTAustin and @UofR. https://t.co/CqBCooSJwG

Dec 18, 2020 · 9 likes · 4 shares · 13,621 followers View post →
Hayley Pearse
@hayley_pearse · X

RT @childrenscreens: In new study by Hae Yeon Lee at the University of Texas at Austin and colleagues, adolescents who recieved fewer likes…

Oct 28, 2020 · 2 shares · 65 followers View post →
Dr Edward Noon
@EdwardJNoon · X

RT @childrenscreens: In new study by Hae Yeon Lee at the University of Texas at Austin and colleagues, adolescents who recieved fewer likes…

Oct 28, 2020 · 2 shares · 399 followers View post →
Children and Screens
@childrenscreens · X

In new study by Hae Yeon Lee at the University of Texas at Austin and colleagues, adolescents who recieved fewer likes on social media than others reported feeling rejected and having more negative thoughts about themselves. Read the full study here: https://t.co/W4UgA3P5pJ https://t.co/34pPYU8pqm

Oct 28, 2020 · 1 like · 2 shares · 2,756 followers View post →
graham music
@grahammusic1 · X

#socialmedia https://t.co/aGcjiPUU1p

Sep 11, 2020 · 1 like · 4,204 followers View post →
Brittany P. Boyer
@bp_boyer · X

RT @hannah_schacter: Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greate…

Sep 11, 2020 · 14 shares · 90 followers View post →
Mr. Pohana but on summer break
@MrPohana · X

RT @hannah_schacter: Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greate…

Sep 10, 2020 · 14 shares · 607 followers View post →
David
@davidFLSTS · X

RT @hannah_schacter: Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greate…

Sep 10, 2020 · 14 shares · 357 followers View post →
Henry N. Lopez
@henrynlopez · X

RT @hannah_schacter: Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greate…

Sep 10, 2020 · 14 shares · 607 followers View post →
張佩盈
@shancheu · X

RT @hannah_schacter: Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greate…

Sep 10, 2020 · 14 shares · 232 followers View post →
Kera, PhD
@ClinicalCurator · X

RT @hannah_schacter: Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greate…

Sep 10, 2020 · 14 shares · 1,602 followers View post →
Dominic Fareri
@dplusbrains · X

RT @hannah_schacter: Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greate…

Sep 10, 2020 · 14 shares · 332 followers View post →
Deborah Han
@debkeos · X

RT @hannah_schacter: Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greate…

Sep 10, 2020 · 14 shares · 498 followers View post →
Dr. Xiaoran Sun
@xiaoransunpsu · X

RT @hannah_schacter: Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greate…

Sep 10, 2020 · 14 shares · 1,284 followers View post →
Dr. Jena Doom
@thetruedrdoom · X

RT @hannah_schacter: Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greate…

Sep 10, 2020 · 14 shares · 3,348 followers View post →
Nick Frye
@NickFryeCox · X

RT @hannah_schacter: Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greate…

Sep 10, 2020 · 14 shares · 232 followers View post →
Dr. Hannah Schacter
@hannah_schacter · X

Very cool new 3-study paper on adolescent social media use: -teens receiving fewer social media “likes” report greater distress -negative reactions to low likes predict depressive symptoms -low likes sting most for peer victimized adolescents https://t.co/l9Sh333D19

Sep 10, 2020 · 36 likes · 14 shares · 1,743 followers View post →
Mark Anderson
@mandercorn · X

"technology which makes it easier for adolescents to compare their social status online—even when there is no chance to share explicitly negative comments—could be a risk factor that accelerates the onset of internalizing symptoms among vulnerable youth" https://t.co/gYm525Fx9M

Sep 10, 2020 · 5,170 followers View post →
Kele90
@Kele901 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 10, 2020 · 27 shares · 1,299 followers View post →
knowruin
@knowruin · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 8, 2020 · 27 shares · 452 followers View post →
Angélica Oliveira
@angelicadeoliv · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 8, 2020 · 27 shares · 101 followers View post →
Adrian.Chasco
@ChascoAdrian · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 8 followers View post →
Zip Radio
@ZipHQ · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 12 followers View post →
Kenan010
@Kenan7490 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 69 followers View post →
That Other Boi
@ThatOtherBoi · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 344 followers View post →
Brian Zaratzian
@BrianZaratzian · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 571 followers View post →
Rust Cohle's Burner
@WoLf_PaK_MeMbA · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 1,208 followers View post →
Roy
@RoyBatty54 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 641 followers View post →
Cinderwood
@Cinderwooded · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 3,699 followers View post →
Lubuulwa
@lubuulwachris2 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 2,771 followers View post →
Dalloul Ahmad
@DALLOULALNEDER · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 8,746 followers View post →
carlos sanchez
@guanito99999999 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 291 followers View post →
Your Brain on Porn
@YourBrainOnPorn · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 13,367 followers View post →
Brian B. Kim
@briankimmer · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 370 followers View post →
CEO de los graficos
@MzcldNoAgtd · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 187 followers View post →
Bipartisan Alliance
@jorgemata · X

Getting Fewer “Likes” Than Others on Social Media Elicits Emotional Distress Among Victimized Adolescents https://t.co/LJEhhzaDQO

Sep 7, 2020 · 188 followers View post →
Mayank Sharma
@sharmayank2 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 75 followers View post →
Philip Quick
@philipquick · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 1,113 followers View post →
XS2Mind
@XS2Mind · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 294 followers View post →
Fun and Games
@wwells668 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 1,321 followers View post →
Don Quixote
@ronportnoir · X

RT @DegenRolf: Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 27 shares · 3,450 followers View post →
Rolf Degen
@DegenRolf · X

Reaping fewer "likes" than others can drive adolescents to despair. https://t.co/tuzQxi0mMZ https://t.co/H8A94ohopS

Sep 7, 2020 · 121 likes · 27 shares · 69,246 followers View post →