The Social Online-Self-Regulation-Theory: A Review of Self-Regulation in Social Media

Abstract. This review aims, first, to introduce a novel theory for social media use, the so-called social online self-regulation theory (SOS-T) by embedding it into an exhaustive literature review, second, to present correlational as well as experimental evidence for the model from our own lab and beyond, and, third, to discuss self-regulatory variables correlated with social networking site (SNS) use reflecting self-regulatory processes such as social comparisons and age, social comparison orientation and materialism, grandiose, and vulnerable narcissism, self-esteem, and depressive tendencies, and, finally, SNS use and emotion regulation. We will also suggest future studies and discuss differences and similarities of more private SNS use (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat) to other SNSs, such as the business-oriented SNS XING.