Bolzan N.A.
Belarusian State University
Belarus, Minsk
e-mail: Nika.bolzan@gmail.com
SOCIAL NETWORKS AS A PROBLEM FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF A MOTHER IN MODERN SOCIETY
Annotation. This article examines the impact of social media on the psychological well-being of mothers in the Republic of Belarus and other CIS countries. The relevance of the study is due to the rapid growth of social media audiences, including among mothers. Various scientific positions are considered: some researchers note the positive value of social media for enriching the experience and self-awareness of mothers, while others point to the risks of constructing an exaggerated image of the "ideal mother" that does not correspond to reality. It is shown that the perception of such an image leads to excessive comparison, a sense of inadequacy, and the development of symptoms of depression and anxiety in mothers. The article also provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of social media on the psychological well-being of mothers, taking into account socio-cultural differences in European, Western, Eastern, and CIS countries. It was found that in European and Western countries, the predominant image of the mother emphasizes self-realization and balance between personal life and raising children. In Eastern countries, such as Israel, on the contrary, the traditional image of motherhood, conditioned by the patriarchal model of society, is more relevant. A mixture of these trends is observed in the CIS countries, where ideals of motherhood fluctuate between traditional and modern approaches. The study shows that social media increases pressure on mothers in all the regions studied, promoting unattainable standards. This leads to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem among mothers, especially when they compare their real-life situations with idealized images on social media.
Keywords: social media, motherhood, psychological well-being, ideal mother, depression, anxiety, self-awareness.
N. Bolzan
SOCIAL NETWORKS AS A PROBLEM FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF THE MOTHER IN MODERN SOCIETY
Abstract. The article examines social networks in terms of their impact on the psychological well-being of mothers. The relevance of the study is related to the rapid growth of the audience of social networks, including among mothers. Various scientific positions are considered: some researchers note the positive importance of social networks for enriching the experience and self-awareness of the mother, others point to the risks of constructing an exaggerated image of the «ideal mother» that does not correspond to reality. It is shown that the perception of such an image leads to excessive comparison, a sense of self-failure and the development of symptoms of depression and anxiety in mothers. The article also provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of social networks on the psychological well-being of mothers, taking into account socio-cultural differences in European countries, Western countries, Eastern countries and CIS countries. It was revealed that in European and Western countries, the image of a mothers prevails, focused on self-realization and balance between personal life and parenting. In eastern countries, like Israel, on the contrary, the traditional image of motherhood is more relevant, due to the patriarchal model of society. In the CIS countries, there is a mixture of these trends, where the ideals of motherhood fluctuate between traditional and modern approaches. The study shows that social networks increase pressure on mothers in all the regions considered, promoting unattainable standards. This leads to an increase in cases of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem among mothers, especially when they compare their real life situations with idealized images on social media.
Keywords: social networks, mothers, psychological well-being, ideal mother, depression, anxiety, self-awareness.
In recent decades, there has been a rapid growth in the popularity of social media. According to statistics, in 2023, the global social media audience reached 4.65 billion users, which is more than 58% of the total population of the planet [15]. As evidenced by other reports, the CIS countries have the largest social media audiences: for example, according to the international annual report "Digital Technologies 2023", as of 2023, more than 56% citizens use social networks in Belarus, more than 60% in Kazakhstan, and more than 73% in Russia (see Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 Social media usage in the CIS countries in 2023
Although the use of digital media spaces offers certain benefits, such as maintaining social connections and access to a variety of information, there is growing evidence in the scientific literature regarding their negative impact on the psychological well-being of users [11; 26]. Mothers, who have actively used social media in recent years to obtain parenting advice and social support, are a particularly vulnerable group in this context. However, a number of studies have demonstrated a link between social media use and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem in this group of users, indicating the impact of social media on maternal psychological well-being. This article aims to analyze the specific mechanisms by which social media influences maternal psychological well-being.
Psychological well-being, as a concept in psychology, encompasses a subjective feeling of happiness, satisfaction with the present state of affairs, optimism, and, in general, a sense of meaning in one's own existence. This concept was introduced and defined by N. Bradburn, who also associated it with the Aristotelian concept of "eudaimonia"—a person's sense of inner fulfillment, bliss, and happiness [6]. According to E. Diener, psychological or subjective well-being is correlated with three components: satisfaction (i.e., a feeling of fulfillment of personal needs), pleasant emotions, and unpleasant emotions [9].
The scientific literature contains mixed findings regarding the impact of both the internet in general and social media in particular on maternal psychological well-being. Some researchers argue that internet platforms allow women, through participation in online communities, not only to share information related to their own motherhood experiences but also to enrich these maternal experiences by receiving information from other mothers, which develops a healthy maternal self-awareness and, overall, contributes to increased personal well-being [17; 20].
However, other researchers emphasize that social networks transmit an idealized image of women, that is, divorced from reality, the perception of which by the mother can lead to an awareness of her own inferiority, as well as the development of feelings of parental stress and incompetence in family matters [21]. This is due to the fact that social networks, according to a number of researchers [1; 4; 8], to the greatest extent embody the concept of "simulacra" introduced by J. Baudrillard. According to this theory, in contemporary postmodern society, reality is replaced by "hyperreality" - a world of simulacra-copies without the original, or artificially constructed images, deprived of their referent in reality, but recognized by people as genuine objects [2].
A striking example of such a simulacrum constructed in the social media space is the image of the "ideal mother" broadcast in the blogging community. Bloggers are internet users who regularly post interactive and multimedia content of a personal, entertaining, educational, or expert nature on online platforms in order to attract the attention of internet users. Unlike traditional media, the primary content of blogs consists of the blogger's subjective judgments and assessments concerning their personal daily life, professional knowledge and skills, or other specific aspects of reality. In the case of maternal blogs, this reality is personal life and the family environment it conveys. It is worth noting that the "maternal" blogosphere in the modern world is one of the rapidly expanding genres of communication on social networks and includes blogs related to children's health, the psychological relationships between mothers and children, children's education and training, and more. According to V.N. Stepanov, social networks have become a medium for the formation of identity at all levels [7].
Analyzing the phenomenon of mother blogs on Instagram ((recognized as an extremist organization and banned in the Russian Federation)), O. Yu. Verpatova [4] highlights the main elements of the image of the «ideal mother» presented by bloggers:
- Demonstration of a full-fledged traditional family with harmonious relationships between spouses.
- Displaying exclusively positive emotions when interacting with children.
- Highlighting children's successes and achievements.
- Demonstration of an active lifestyle and varied leisure activities
- Emphasis on conformity to standards of female attractiveness.
This set of characteristics essentially embodies the archetype of the ideal motherhood, formed in cultural tradition. However, in the image conveyed by bloggers, this image takes on exaggerated, unrealistic features. In some cases, according to research by U.S. Borisova and M.V. Savvinov, social media displays images of "mom-businesswomen" or "mom-superheroes" who are equally successful not only in raising children but also in entrepreneurship [3], which is also not always true. According to O.Yu. Verpatova, mother-users, viewing such content on social media, "consume a simulacrum of successful motherhood, trying this model on for themselves" [4, p. 58].
Meanwhile, consuming such content carries very real risks to women's psychological health. A direct link has been noted between the time mothers spend on social media, as well as the content they consume on these platforms, and increased levels of depression and anxiety [24]. A comparative analysis of bloggers' lifestyles often leaves mothers doubting their abilities and capabilities, feeling inadequate, chronically fatigued, and stressed, often accompanied by a loss of connection with their child and the transformation of real maternal experience into a simulation in online blogs, which hinders the development of sustainable psychological well-being in mothers [4].
Similar results were shown by a study by S. Coyne and colleagues [13]. Using the semantic differential method, the authors found that Instagram users ((recognized as an extremist organization and banned in the Russian Federation)), the image of one's own motherhood is perceived more negatively after viewing the profiles of popular mother-bloggers, which is associated with a high level of social comparison, and in some cases leads to the development of depression. Moreover, the gap between the "real" and "ideal" images increases with the increase in time spent on social networks. A. Henderson and his colleagues also found an inverse relationship between the use of social networks and the psychological well-being of mothers [18]. Mothers who felt pressure from bloggers to be "ideal mothers" also experienced a sense of guilt for not meeting the characteristics of this ideal and were significantly exposed to stress. According to M. Tate, if maternal guilt is constant, it can lead to a false sense of one's own failure, which affects not only the physical but also the psychological well-being of the mother and her ability to be productive in raising children [24].
Despite the obvious impact of social media on maternal psychological well-being, it is worth emphasizing that the depth of this influence varies depending on the socio-cultural characteristics of the mother's community. This is primarily due to the fact that maternal identity, as M. Aharoni has noted, is a cultural and social product of the norms of motherhood dictated by society [19]. Social media, as a reflection of social norms, thus also contributes to the formation of maternal identity.
Analyzing data from both qualitative and quantitative studies: surveys, interviews, observations, it can be argued that the influence of social networks on women in Western countries (USA, Canada), European countries (Great Britain, Ireland, France, Scandinavian countries), Eastern countries (Israel) and CIS countries (Russia, Belarus, Ukraine) varies.
Thus, the patriarchal model of society and associated cultural norms, including those of a historical and religious nature, persist in Israel and other Middle Eastern countries. This places a certain pressure on mothers to conform to the image of the "ideal mother." As an analysis of the content of Israeli social networks conducted by B.L. Valtchanov et al. [25] showed, a model of intensive motherhood is cultivated in the virtual space. According to this model, a good mother should devote herself entirely to her children and family, be physically and emotionally available to the child, and show tireless care. Such unrealistically high expectations generate feelings of guilt and inferiority among mothers due to the inability to meet them, thereby hindering the development of psychological resilience and self-sufficiency. Moreover, as a number of Israeli researchers have shown, mothers on social networks are engaged in a kind of virtual competition for the status of the ideal mother [19]. Women in Israeli society whose motherhood deviates from the standards portrayed on social media face judgment and criticism, which further exacerbates their emotional and psychological distress.
However, even in Western countries, where the patriarchal model is not as dominant as in Eastern civilization, and women have greater freedom to choose whether to have children, how many, and how to raise them, with the growing popularity of social media platforms that promote certain images of motherhood and highlight the image of a mother who is capable of multitasking and equally successful in all areas, mothers also experience significant psychological pressure. For example, the online mentoring of motherhood, which has developed in the UK, as research has emphasized, significantly contributes to the formation of a "culture of comparison," which threatens the self-esteem and mental health of mothers participating in online courses [12].
Furthermore, according to recent data, mothers in Western countries, particularly in the United States, born between 1981 and 1996 (the so-called «millennial mothers») demonstrate more active use of social networks compared to mothers of the previous generation (see Fig. 2) [14; 23].

Fig. 2 Internet activity of modern mothers and mothers of the previous generation
On the one hand, such active use of social media has a positive impact. For example, through social media and blogging, mothers receive emotional and informational support from other mothers and learn childcare tips [20]. However, excessive use of social media also carries serious risks, as constant online presence takes away significant time and concentration that mothers could otherwise devote to direct communication with their children and their upbringing. This also increases the risk of developing internet and gaming addiction [16], since, according to Indonesian research, approximately 60% of modern mothers who use social media also play online games [22].
Social media use is becoming increasingly popular among mothers in the CIS countries. Analyzing maternal practices, particularly in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, it can be concluded that in these regions, unlike in Western and European countries, two opposing trends in the online portrayal of motherhood persist and are actively cultivated: the traditional mother and the modern mother. These idealized images, taken to extremes, can negatively impact the psychological well-being of real mothers, leading to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with their own motherhood experience.
The image of a traditional mother
Some popular Russian and Belarusian blogs and social networks promote the image of the "ideal" traditional mother—a caring and selfless keeper of the home.
Many mother communities on social networks (www.baby.ru, www.materinstvo.ru, www.babyblog.ru, and others) only reinforce traditional gender roles and stereotypes, separating the spheres of activity of men and women. They exclude fathers from the process of raising and caring for children, creating the idea that these responsibilities fall solely on the mother.
Such communities, forums, and channels typically feature mothers of many children, who devote themselves entirely to raising their children and caring for their husbands [5]. Let's highlight the main features of the image of the traditional mother conveyed in the CIS:
– Complete dedication to family and children
– Large families (3 or more children)
– Giving up on career and personal ambitions
– Caring for all family members
– Homemaking and handicrafts
- Patience and forgiveness
- Sacrifice and self-denial
According to the model of traditional motherhood, which is broadcast on social networks, a mother should be, first of all, focused on raising a child and interacting with her husband, while professional self-realization is given secondary importance [1] (see Fig. 3).

Fig. 3 Characteristics of maternal activity according to the traditional model
However, such exaggeration of sacrifice and renunciation of personal ambitions does not always correspond to the realities and desires of modern women, which gives rise to stress, a feeling of inadequacy, disappointment in life, and often depression [1; 4; 5].
The image of a modern mother
On the other hand, social media in the CIS countries tends to idealize the image of the successful super-mother, equally successful at work and at home. Bloggers and influencers who promote this image on social media present a glossy picture: career, hobbies, exercise, and perfect children. Thus, the modern mother in the CIS online environment is represented by the following characteristics:
– A successful career on par with motherhood
– Financial independence and security
– Activity and versatility (hobbies, sports, self-development)
– Education and erudition
- Fashionable clothing style
– Active management of social networks
- Developed and talented children
As a rule, the activities of bloggers demonstrating this image of a modern mother within social networks are also diverse – from directly blogging to educational, creative and other services (see Fig. 4) [3; 5; 8].

Fig. 4 Mothers' online activities on social media
In some cases, the image of such a mother is combined with economic and «image» superiority in the family; the importance of fatherhood in the family, thus, also recedes into the background [10].
In practice, however, not every mother possesses sufficient resources to meet such inflated standards, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and guilt for the inability to "combine the incompatible" [4]. Furthermore, attempting to achieve the image of the "ideal" and multifunctional mother according to criteria broadcast and promoted on social media often leads to a loss of the ability to practice personal, conscious motherhood [3]. A lack of satisfaction with one's own maternal experience, in turn, hinders the development of sustainable psychological well-being.
Thus, the exaggeration of both traditional and modern images of mothers in the CIS leads to the formation of unrealistic stereotypes. Failure to live up to these stereotypes negatively impacts the psychological health of real mothers. It is important to promote more realistic and inclusive images that take into account the needs and capabilities of each individual woman, so that she can feel like a good enough mother, regardless of whether she conforms to the standards imposed on social media.
Conclusion
The study concludes that social media has a multifaceted and very real impact on the psychological well-being of modern mothers. On the one hand, online platforms serve an important positive function, providing mothers with a platform to share experiences, obtain expert information, and receive emotional and informational support, in some cases even enabling self-fulfillment. However, at the same time, there is a tendency to exaggerate certain models of motherhood on social media, shaping them into unattainable standards. This is particularly evident in the images of the "ideal traditional mother" and the "ideal modern mother." Both of these images, in their exaggerated form, do not correspond to the reality of the vast majority of women, leading to feelings of guilt, inadequacy, stress, and disappointment. This is confirmed by the direct correlation between mothers' intensity of social media use and their expression of depression, anxiety disorders, and low self-esteem.
Furthermore, the impact of social media on maternal psychological well-being varies depending on the sociocultural context. In traditional Eastern societies, patriarchal views of motherhood as a complete dedication to family and children predominate. Social media further exacerbates this pressure by promoting the "intensive mothering" model. Failure to live up to this model generates feelings of guilt and inadequacy in mothers. In European and Western countries (the UK, the US, and Canada), the image of a mother combining parenthood with self-fulfillment in her career and personal life is more popular. However, the inflated expectations conveyed on social media also negatively impact mothers' self-esteem. This issue is especially acute for millennials. In the CIS countries (Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine), two extremes coexist on social media—the image of the traditional mother and the modern "supermom." Imposing either model as a universal standard negatively impacts maternal psychological health.
To address this problem, a comprehensive approach is needed, including adjusting social media content policies, improving mothers' media literacy, and providing them with psychological support and assistance in finding a balance between the pursuit of idealism and their own needs and capabilities. Only in this way can the negative impact of virtual motherhood standards be minimized and the genuine, rather than simulated, psychological well-being of modern mothers be fostered.
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- Pitts V. Illness and internet empowerment: Writing and reading breast cancer in cyberspace. Health, 8. – Epub: 2004. – 33-59.
- Puspita B., Edvra P. The Use of YouTube and Apps by Digital Moms to Support Early Childhood Learning. Athens Journal of Mass Media and Communications, 8. – Epub: 2022. – 237–256. – DOI: 10.30958/ajmmc.8-4-2.
- Shandwick W. Digital women influencers: Millenial Moms. KRC Research. Thundertech. Mother's little helper for the digital age. Mobile Report Series 2013. – Epub: 2013. – 1-14.
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- Woods HC, Scott H. #Sleepyteens: Social media use in adolescence is associated with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Journal of Adolescence, 51. – Epub: 2016. – P. 41-49.

