'Selfie' photographs trend 'puts children at risk of abuse' It's all about comparison and young people are using social media to measure themselves against others. If a teenager posts a picture and it doesn't get any 'likes' or if it is their birthday and they don't receive a certain number of posts they see that as an embarrassment. It is seen as an indication that they are not popular. There is an expectation now amongst young people that they should get comments on all of their posts and images. While young people naturally compare themselves to their peers in everyday life, the problem has been exacerbated by sites like Facebook, she believes. "Everyone is different but seeking approval in this way could be damaging to the confidence of young people," she said. It could warp their perception of themselves in later life. The eating disorder charity B-eat also warned of the potential negative affects of social media on young people. A spokesman said: "We are bombarded daily with so-called 'ideal' body images and we are all, including celebrities, affected to some degree. Young children are developing inappropriate self awareness at a much earlier age and this is of great concern. Young people should not have to seek approval from their peers but celebrate who they are inside which is far more important. Social media sites have come under scrutiny recently following the suicide of 14 year-old Hannah Smith after she was targeted by trolls on the social networking site Ask.fm.