In this growing age of social media, the effects of social media are becoming more and more apparent. Society has always had a standard ideal body type, especially for women, but the pressure to fit into this “ideal” body type has grown increasingly heavy. We consume media that heavily influences our perception of ourselves and other people, and this perception can be positive or negative, depending on the type and frequency of media we consume. This leads to the question: is social media negatively affecting our body image?
Most kids and teens use some form of social media. Social media can be especially harmful for younger people because we’re impressionable and still growing. If we’re constantly being fed the idea that we have to look a certain way and that the natural features of our body are “embarassing” or “ugly”, people may buy into the idea and go to the extreme to “fix” or change their natural features. Eating disorders have become more likely because of the effects that social media has on body image. The effects of an already present eating disorder can also be triggered or exacerbated because of the consumption of photos and videos on social media. Negative body image can lead to low self esteem which then can cause mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. This creates a dangerous cycle of self hatred.
Although social media’s presence in our lives can be negative, there are some positive effects. More recently, there has been a push of a “body-positive” movement throughout social media. This movement encourages people of all sizes to be confident in themselves and love their body. It has been shown that these body positive posts make others appreciate and love themselves in response. I think that while this movement has been more geared towards women, men can also benefit because I think that the societal beauty standard affects men as well. However, these posts are usually followed by hateful comments and messages from internet trolls which can take a toll on a person’s mental health if they continue to make posts sharing their authentic body.
Personally, I can see the positive and negative effects of social media on body image. I do find myself comparing the way I look to other girls on social media, whether that be TikTok, Instagram, etc. On the contrary, seeing body positive posts on social media has been beneficial to my personal body image. I need to be more mindful of what type of media I consume because far too often I spend time consuming media that sends me into a spiral of negative self-talk.
Do you think that social media has an effect on body image? Why or why not?
Do you think that all genders face some sort of societal pressure to look a certain way? Why or why not?
Does the type of media you consume affect your body image in different ways? Why or why not?
Replies
Great topic choice and very well done Gabby!!
Yes, social media has an effect on body image because when some people see what other people look like they will want to look like them and if they don't they won't feel the best about themselves. Yes, I do think that all genders face these pressures because everyone wants to be the best of the best or look the best.
I agree that everyone wants to be the best and social media platforms seem to only promote the "best". There definitely is a societal pressure for all genders to look a certain way.
I think it does because some people want to be just like people they see that they follow and they will do anything so they are more like them. Yes I think that all genders have some societal pressure because they think to much about what others say and they will go off of what they say and not what they want themselves.
I agree that some people get especially sucked into society's idea of what they should look like, and then they have a hard time figuring out what they want. I agree that it definitely depends on who you're following in terms of effects.
I think that people think that they have to look just like the people on Instagram or Tik Tok. Therefore, they start not eating very much because they want to be smaller. Also they start working out a lot because they want their bodies to look different and more in shape. I think that all genders do face some sort of pressure from social media. I do think though that girls have more of the pressure on them than guys do. I only have Snapchat and YouTube so you really don’t see any body shaming on Snapchat. With YouTube you actually see the opposite side of social pressure. People tell those that watch their videos not to worry about how they look or how much they weigh because that is just unhealthy to worry about those things.
It definitely depends on what social platforms you're using in terms of how social media affects body image. I think that instagram and tiktok are for sure platforms that push unrealistic beauty standards. Poor body image can definitely lead to a spiral of negative effects like low self esteem, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. I think it's great that you're more cautious about the media you consume! Snapchat and Youtube are definitely social media with less pressures involved.
I don't think social media has an effect. It really shouldn't matter who you talk to, or what you post that effects how you live. I do think that everyone faces some form of pressure, but not in a way that would take over their lives. It shouldn't be something that gets in there way, and they should live how they wanna live. I don't think the type of media you see effects you either. I think this is an extention of just living your life how you wanna live.
I disagree with you. You may not be affected and it may be because you're a boy, but many teenagers (especially girls) struggle with body image. I can personally say it's affected me, as well as many other girls. Someone who is already struggling with body image issues or mental illnesses can fall into the pressure of society to be perfect, and this is where a lot of eating disorders stem from. I think it would be great if everyone lived how they want, but that isn't necessarily realistic in this case because of psychological effects. I also think that the type of media does affect you because someone who watches video game content as opposed to fitness content isn't going to face the same pressure to "look" a certain way.
I think that social media does have big impact on the way we see our body. On instagram for example it might seems like many people, especially famous people have what's considereda perfect body and seeeing that can affect negatively the way you see your own. At the same time I personally feel like in the last few years there has been more body positivity on social media.
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