According to research social media, has a negative impact on people’s mental health
And we need to do something about it.
If you have witnessed judging yourself in the mirror after viewing a ‘perfect’ image of someone online (that had probably been edited to oblivion) social media has already negatively impacted on your body confidence.
Social media has become a big thing in modern day lives, with having a smartphone chained to our hands, it is almost impossible to avoid comparing yourself to other people’s lifestyle and pictures (shared moments) online. I believe this society needs to conclude that we cannot believe everything we see online. They are only perceptions and shared moments being captured online, which is not real life. Since the popularity of social media has increased, more young people suffer from eating disorders like body dysmorphia.
Body dysmorphia is a mental disorder where an individual spends a lot of their time worrying about their flaws in their physical appearance. Some of these flaws are mostly unnoticeable to others. Body dysmorphia can often be triggered by comparing images you see online, mostly of ‘Photoshopped’ models, or even of celebrities who have secretly went under the knife and surgically had some work done.
Since social media has become more popular the rate of body dysmorphia has increased massively over the years. It had been stated online, according to research, that the growth body dysmorphia had increased due to the popularity of the social-media app Snapchat. For many years we have seen that negative body image stemmed from magazines, films and commercials.
The media had impacted negatively on many people’s self-esteem. Researchers believe that social media websites also expose people to “highly idealized representations” of other people’s lives. Online visual platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat enable mostly young people to seek validation and physical approval by comparing themselves to others. (Simmons).
On the other hand, one can argue that social media has its benefits towards body image problems and eating disorders. With social media becoming increasingly popular over the years, it can be also seen as a great exposure for viewers online to help others by raising awareness online. Social media can be great networking platform to read and study the signs of someone online battling with their body image. (Kearns)
Although body diversity is promoted on some social media platforms, body image is still a work in progress there is still some work that still needs to be done in regard with how society views different body types. Over the years body positivity has increased due online movement on platforms such as Instagram. With online role models who have a huge following on Instagram do bring awareness on the troubles of body image portrayed on the media. For example, there is an online model called Sonny Turner who uses “#everybodyisabikinibody and #everybodyisbeautiful,” on Instagram. (Murray)
These small, meaningful messages do have a huge impact on people as many viewings will feel reassured and confident that their body can be accepted by others online.
Growing up in a society that is obsessed with physical appearance and body image, I believe accepting myself was very hard. With my young brain still being developed and formed properly I did find myself adapting unhealthy habits. Being brought in an era that worships body figures like well-known online figured like Kim Kardashian have set an impossible standard online to society.
The pressure to look a certain way; curvy bodies, big hips and big bums has become increasingly popular over the years in the media. Especially with shows like Keeping up with the Kardashians, a show that celebrities like the Kardashian and many other celebrities promoting the curvy look knowing they have under gone surgery has given young women just like me an unrealistic and unhealthy view of the perfect body image. Kim Kardashian has confirmed on the show she has never had surgery, which many people like me believe is false. This portrayal is as a one of the most well-established social influencers has denied surgery which is very toxic to girls who looks up to her or see her as a role model.
Many individuals have fallen in to the trap and have programmed themselves to follow online social media body standards. This has led them to buy products like Flat Tummy Tea, waist-trainer and protein shakes. I believe it is almost inevitable to avoid comparing yourself online when you have influential celebrities promoting products to influence people to alter their physical appearance. According Flat Tummy Tea’s online marketing, “The Flat Tummy Tea Company says that the tea has cleansing effect, which should not make people go to the bathroom.” (Frey) The product is only suitable for short term changes, as the tea does have negative effect on the body in short amount of time it produces a laxative effect where one can experience constipation.
When compared to some countries like in Asia the beauty standards in Japan are different to western culture. What appears to be acceptable by society is small features, slim/thin and fair complexation. Asia is also known to sell skin lightning products with in the beauty industry. The only show people with the similar looks in their films, and producers would only accept actors who are light skinned, slim and with soft features.
This could be the case that body image standards have been set differently in many other countries. This has been happening for many years, even before the internet and social media. I believe that body image will remain a problem in the beauty community. However, I believe bringing awareness this issue will reduce its toxicity towards the public including the most vulnerable.
Works cited
Corvino, Katie. “I Wore Kim Kardashian’s Waist Trainer For 30 Days And I’ll Never Be The Same”. Elite Daily, 2019, https://www.elitedaily.com/entertainment/kim-kardashian-waist-trainer-exercise/1545711. Accessed 8 July 2019.
Frey, Malia. “Does Flat Tummy Tea Really Work?”. Verywell Fit, 2019, https://www.verywellfit.com/flat-tummy-tea-reviews-4586408.
Kearns, Claire. “Social Media And Eating Disorders ……….Helpful Or Harmful?”. Mirror-Mirror.Org, 2017, https://www.mirror-mirror.org/social-media.htm. Accessed 7 July 2019.
Simmons, R. (2016). How Social Media Is a Toxic Mirror. Time. [online] Available at: https://time.com/4459153/social-media-body-image/ [Accessed 9 July. 2019].
Van Meter, Jonathan. “The Awakening Of Kim Kardashian West”. 2019, https://www.vogue.com/article/kim-kardashian-west-cover-may-2019. Accessed 9 July 2019.
