Snapchat vs. Facebook: Differences in problematic use, behavior change attempts, and trait social reward preferences

Facebook and Snapchat employ different features for encouraging repeated, reinforced use of their platforms. Importantly, this repeated use can become maladaptive and problematic. We sought to understand differences between these platforms in regard to problematic use, and its motivations and outcomes. We specifically focused on trait social reward preferences as important yet overlooked motivations. We also focused on quit and use reduction attempts as important yet overlooked outcomes.

Participants (N = 472) responded to an online survey that assessed their Snapchat and Facebook use, as well as trait social reward preferences.

Our findings, with individuals who used both Snapchat and Facebook, revealed that (a) participants reported more time on Snapchat than Facebook, as well as more problematic use of Snapchat than Facebook, nevertheless (b) they reported more attempts to quit Facebook than Snapchat, with no difference in use reduction attempts between platforms, and (c) trait social reward dimensions - admiration, negative social potency, and sociability - were positively associated with problematic Snapchat use, and only negative social potency was positively associated with problematic Facebook use.

These findings demonstrate the relevance of social media platform features and social reward preferences in problematic social media use. Implications for further research and practice are discussed.