Body Image On Social Media

In an era dominated by digital connectivity, social media has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives. It’s a platform for sharing stories, connecting with friends, and being exposed to a myriad of information. Yet, beneath the surface lies a complex web of influences, one of which pertains to the way we perceive our bodies.

Scrolling through the carefully curated feeds of Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat can often evoke a spectrum of emotions. While these platforms offer a glimpse into the lives of others, they also present an idealized version of beauty—a standard that seems flawless, effortless, and seemingly unattainable.

The perpetual exposure to meticulously edited images and videos showcasing unrealistic body standards can significantly impact our mental well-being. Many individuals find themselves entrapped in a cycle of comparison, self-criticism, and the relentless pursuit of an idealized appearance. This phenomenon has been identified as a contributing factor to the development of body dysmorphia. Body dysmorphia, also known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a mental health condition characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in physical appearance. While it's not solely caused by social media, the platforms can exacerbate existing insecurities or trigger the onset of these feelings in vulnerable individuals.

The incessant exposure to filtered images, airbrushed figures, and the glorification of a particular body type creates a distorted perception of reality. What’s often forgotten is that these images are meticulously curated, edited, and often far removed from the actual lived experiences of those depicted. The constant comparison of oneself to these unattainable standards fosters feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. This detrimental cycle can lead to anxiety, depression, and a host of other mental health issues, amplifying the impact of social media on one’s psyche.

It's crucial to acknowledge that social media, when used mindfully and critically, can be a platform for positive change. Many influencers and activists utilize these platforms to promote body positivity, inclusivity, and self-acceptance. Encouraging authentic representation and advocating for diverse body types helps in counterbalancing the narrow beauty standards perpetuated online.

I found myself under the effects of social media editing at a young age when I was introduced to apps like Facetune when I was about 11 years old. It was the constant idea that you had to change the way you looked whether your skin or your body to sort of fit what society wanted from you at the time. I was pushed by friends that used the app to use it myself. The idea of doing it was something I never was a fan of, but everyone was using it and pushing everyone else. The standards that were set at that age have only gotten worse and continue that way with how prominent social media is, and how society wants people's bodies to look.

This can be seen from many influencers and celebrities editing their instagram pictures to make themselves skinnier and even have a better complexion. Main people that come to mind are the Kardashians, as well as a recent tik toker Livvy Dunne who has come under fire from fans for editing her pictures. With people finding the original and doing comparisons of the difference from her own posts (Livvy Dunne comparison). We see that as some people with big followings do the editing some also don’t approve of it in any way. The standards that this sets for fans, especially young female ones, has insane effects on their mental and physical health. Scientists say “as technology develops and people spend more time online, audiences are more and more exposed to the harmful effects of these platforms. Not only do they promote constant unhealthy comparisons with other people, they blur the lines of reality in a way that makes it impossible to live up to the imaginary world we see online, possibly resulting in poor mental health, body dysmorphia and eating disorders'' (Clarke). The detrimental impacts of these platforms are becoming more and more apparent to audiences as technology advances and people spend more time online. They not only encourage unhealthy peer comparisons all the time, but they also distort reality so much that it's hard to live up to the idealized versions of ourselves that we see online.

Sources

Lw. (2023, September 6). Olivia Dunne under fire for photoshopping Instagram images to extremes. MARCA. https://www.marca.com/en/ncaa/2023/09/06/64f8ac2d268e3e8c6a8b45b0.html

Clarke, S. (n.d.). Can online image editing on social media contribute to eating disorders?. Priory Groupe. https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/can-online-image-editing-on-social-media-contribute-to-eating-disorders#:~:text=Of%20course%2C%20presenting%20a%20fictional,common%20results%20of%20photo%20editing

Livvy Dunne Comparison TikTok

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse