WeChat is a multi-functional mobile application developed by Tencent, which integrates multiple functions such as instant messaging, social media and mobile payment. As an application with more than one billion users, WeChat has been deeply integrated into people's daily lives and plays an extremely important role in Chinese society and even around the world. As a digital social platform, WeChat has had a profound impact on people’s communication methods, interpersonal relationships, and psychological experiences.

The main functions of WeChat include chat, friend circle (Moments), mini program, video account, etc. Among them, Moments allows people to share their lives and express their emotions through text, photos and videos, and it has also become a window to show themselves and understand others. The group chat function is widely used among work, family and friends to facilitate collective communication. Functions such as mini programs and video accounts have further expanded the scope of use of WeChat, covering almost every aspect of life, from shopping and travel to entertainment and learning. These functions of WeChat reflect the modern society’s pursuit of convenient, efficient and diversified communication, while also constantly shaping new social habits.

However, the impact of WeChat is not all positive. Like other social media, WeChat also strengthens the psychological phenomenon of “social comparison”. Many people will see carefully selected life clips of others in their circle of friends and can’t help but compare themselves to them. This kind of comparison often makes people feel that they are not good enough, become anxious, and even worry about being left behind or ignored by others. Studies have found that if you see the "looking perfect" lives posted by others for a long time, especially for young people and college students, it is easy to feel anxious and lonely, and they will slowly deny themselves.

The impact of WeChat is two-sided. On the one hand, it allows people to contact each other anytime and anywhere, shortens the distance between people, and makes information dissemination more convenient. On the other hand, it also leaves people with almost no real "offline" time, and the boundaries between work, life and social life are becoming increasingly blurred. In order to maintain relationships, many people have to read messages frequently and respond promptly. Over time, they will feel tired and even stressed. The social networking method brought by WeChat also allows people to constantly make a choice between "showing themselves" and "living a real life".

Overall, WeChat has become an integral part of modern life. But it is like a double-edged sword. Although it makes communication between people more convenient, it also affects our psychological state to a great extent. While enjoying the convenience and speed brought by WeChat, we must also be aware of the psychological and social problems it may bring. Learning to use WeChat rationally and maintaining good Internet habits will not only help your own mental health, but also make relationships between people more natural and positive.

Zhao, L., & Bai, S. (2025). The relationship between anxiety, depression and social comparison in an era of digital media. Advances in Psychological Science, 33(1), 92–106. https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1042.2025.0092

Scarpulla, E., Stosic, M. D., Weaver, A. E., & Ruben, M. A. (2023). Should I post? The relationships among social media use, emotion recognition, and mental health. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1161300. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1161300