I can totally relate to your boyfriend. I do this from Time to time. I used to get beaten up a lot by my sister growing up and this made me have very low self-confidence. In school and around the neighbourhood, I was everyone’s target and many people verbally and physically abused me and some made my life hell. I cannot help it but keep comparing my life with my sister and have been checking other people’s lives on social media from time to time. I have tried not to get obsessed by them and it is not healthy but I cannot help wondering what they do now and if they have any regrets. I think most of them probably don’t care or look back at it with a grin. I am sure my sister does! I have worked on meditation exercises when I start to feel obsessed by them and they help but I cannot eliminate the thoughts.
Wish your boyfriend the best!