Abstract
This review examines how social media use can lead to feelings of inadequacy among young adults (17-27) in their romantic relationships. People tend to compare themselves to the seemingly perfect online lives of others, leading to lower self-esteem and depression. The review highlights gaps in research on how social media affects broader self-concept and downward comparison (comparing oneself to those worse off). Social media literacy education and platform-specific effects are suggested as areas for further study. Finally, the review emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural differences in how people experience social media.