Want to know how social media affects body image? Ever wondered why don’t I have the six packs or look like Victoria Supermodel? But strangely enough, also fond videos of people set to songs like Victoria Secret by Jax, Scars to your Beautiful by Alessia Cara and Pretty Hurts by Beyonce changed the conversation around body image.
In this blog we will take an in-depth look at how social media affects our body image both in a positive and negative way. So, let’s get started;
Negative Effects of Social Media on Body Image
- Body Shaming and Cyberbullying
Body shaming and cyberbullying is quite common on social media platforms. You are vulnerable to anybody’s opinion anytime. You are either too skinny or too fat. Masses will come together and decide on how your body should look like. Memes and insensitive jokes about people’s bodies are shared on social media platforms without any thought. All this leads to people losing their confidence of being comfortable in their own skin.
- Idealized Body Images on Social Media
Six Pack Abs, Perfect Curves, on social media it seems like everybody has them but you? Social media sets unrealistic beauty standards in our mind which can lead to low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction and feelings of inadequacy. People are also buying social media followers to artificially create the appearance of influence and popularity. Pressure to conform to these standards can lead to a constant cycle of self-criticism.
Social media is the place where majorly people put their best and not their struggles. After spending 2 hours in makeup chair people post pictures with hashtags like #natural #Iwokeuplikethis #Effortless.
- Comparison and Social Comparison Theory
Social media intensifies the body comparisons as you are bombarded with everybody’s seemingly perfect image. According to social comparison theory there are two types of comparisons:
- Upward Comparison: When you compare yourself to those who you perceive to be better than you. This leads to low self-esteem, envy and feeling inadequate.
- Downward Comparison: When you compare yourself to those who you perceive to be living in poorer conditions than you. This leads to a boost in self-esteem, feeling grateful and complete.
- Filtered Reality and Photo Editing
Most of the images on social media are edited to make one look more appealing and conform to the unrealistic beauty standards. Filters are used to remove wrinkles and look thin. The photos and lifestyles you see on social media is actually filtered reality not the actual reality.
- Overemphasis on Appearance
There is an overemphasis on social media about appearance as it is a world that mainly runs on images. What one looks like is far more important than what they do. The social media platforms are littered with ads of body appearance.
- Influence of Influencers
The influencer culture on social media has led people to always chasing products and lifestyles. Both men and women are exploited by these influencers’ gurus in pursuit of perfect bodies and it never stops to maintain that body you are chained to their lifestyle of eating, exercising which you cannot even support.
- Mental Health Issues
People who spend a lot of time on social media are known to have mental health issues due to constant comparison. Study shows that people who spend more time social media have an increased risk for depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide.
- Promotion of Unhealthy Trends
Many unhealthy trends are romanticized across social media, having little to no waist was admired which led to many girls starving themselves. The pursuit of six packs and being muscular lead to many boys over exercising to achieve the so-called perfect body in no time.
Positive Effects of Social Media on Body Image
Other than a lot of negative effects of social media there are people and communities which are bringing a change on the conversion of body image. It is discussed below how social media can be used for positive body image.
- Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance
Body positive content on social media showed all types of people in various shapes and sizes has given people confidence to be comfortable in their skin. Many efforts are done on the platforms to have a more body positive culture. The trend of reality vs Instagram has made people feel less anxious about their body image. When women and men see that there is no one right shape to a healthy body they are more accepting of themselves.
- Representation and Diversity
Social media has been an effective tool in giving power to the people. It demands that brands diversify themselves and not only cater to a certain demographic. Thus social media platforms like Instagram, help your brand grow and reach a wider audience. It has brought forward the need and importance of representation. Rihanna’s beauty brand changed the cosmetic industry when they introduced 40 different shades of foundation for women.
- Supportive Communities
Though there is a lot of hate and cyberbullying on social platforms, finding communities of people struggling with the same body issues has given people assurance that they are not alone in their battles and these communities have come together to support people in their hard times.
- Empowerment and Self-Expression
Social can be used as a tool to break the monotony and be a tool for empowerment and self-expression for people. Seeing many people comfortable in their own skin and expressing their happiness can be uplifting for a lot of people feeling down due to their body image. Open discussion of their journey to self-acceptance inspires others to do the same. Hashtags like self-love, body positivity and self-love provide uplifting and supportive content.
- Access to Educational Content
Rather than listening to some self-proclaimed alpha dude rant about his body image and then at the end try to sell you protein made of God knows what. There are platforms that provide you with content which educates you on the needs of your body. These platforms are mainly free and have open access all the time. Organizations like HAES (Health at Every Size) are doing remarkable work.
FAQ’s
Q: How does Instagram affect body image?
A: Instagram mostly affects the body image negatively as it puts you in constant companionship and its content of filtered reality sets unrealistic body image but there are also platforms which are body positive and inclusive which can boost your morale.
Q: How does social media affect body image in youth?
A: Most of the time youngsters set unrealistic goals for themselves which leads to unhealthy habits like starving and over exercising.
Q: Why are girls more affected by social media?
A: Girls are more affected by social media for body image as they are made insecure about their bodies to sell them products they don’t even need.
Q: How does social media affect teenagers?
A: It is distracting them, disrupting their sleep, and exposing them to bullying, rumor spreading, unrealistic views of other people’s lives and peer pressure.
Conclusion
Social media filtered reality can often lead one to consistent comparison with unrealistic body image which makes one self-esteem lower, envy others and cause harm to one’s health. Contrary to this there are also commentaries which are changing the conversation around body image. Seeing people go through the same body issues as you and be accepting of their bodies is inspiring for people struggling with body image. Even though there is a lot of hate and negativity online, surround yourself with people who appreciate body diversity and uplift you. So, good luck and thanks for reading!
