Think your Facebook friends are leading a better life? You are not alone

London, July 24 (ANI): One's comparison of his/her life with their neighbour has been taken to a whole new level, thanks to social media.

More than half of 16-24 year olds admit spending much of their time trying to measure up to the lives lived by others on Facebook, a new survey has revealed.

A third of social media users between the ages of 25 and 44 admitted they do it too, while more than one in ten 45-54 year olds do the same, indicating that the phenomenon of "Keeping up with the Joneses" is not purely reserved for the young.

Failing to keep up with the above mentioned idiom is perceived as demonstrating socio-economic or cultural inferiority and now it has been revealed that one in five Facebook and Twitter users admit they now constantly compare themselves to others based purely on the status updates, pictures and messages from their 'friends' on social media sites.

The latest study by personal loans provider savviloans.co.uk, shows that "Keeping up with the Joneses" is now a high-tech affair, with the constant stream of pictures and status updates of holidays, purchases, weddings, babies, new homes and other boasts leading to the rest of us questioning our own lifestyles.

The savviloans.co.uk survey carried out by Opinion Matters, also revealed that whilst one in five of us are increasingly spending more time in our own homes, the current economic climate has prevented a quarter of people from making those all-important home improvements that their house needs.

"The rise of social networking means there are so many more 'Joneses' to keep up with in today's society," the Daily Mail quoted Dr Sandra Scott, psychological Consultant, as saying.

"We are all sharing more information about our lives with more people and can end up comparing ourselves to lifestyles projected by others through social media.

"We all have a tendency, to varying degrees, to be concerned about how other people view us and this can lead us to compare our lifestyles unfavourably to others who appear more affluent. The key is to keep perspective and to focus on the positives of who we are, and what we do have," she said.

Almost 30 percent of people said that they feel envious of friends, family members, colleagues and neighbours who have more than them.

Over 40 percent said they don't like to think they're missing out, while one in seven said they feel stressed about trying to keep up with others.

The need to feel as though we're having as much fun, and living a life which is just as exciting as our friends and families could have a financial impact for some careless spenders.

Only 30 percent said that the current economic environment has made them feel less pressure to measure up to the lives of others. (ANI)