Social media affects body image

Studies have found that there is a strong correlation between increased time spent engaging on social media platforms and decreased self-esteem levels among teens and young adults related to body image issues (Fardouly et al., 2016). The comparison effect kicks in where users put more focus into comparing themselves with others posted on these platforms instead of accepting their own physical features or attributes as they naturally exist (Ozieracki & Wolfson, 2018). As users scroll through pictures seeing models or influencers looking perfect according to societal standards due to filters or editing apps used for improving photos leads them to feel inadequate about not being able to ‘measure up’ which results in lowered self-confidence concerning their body image (Heikkilä & Miettinen, 2019). Not only do individuals compare themselves with the posts they see but also receive feedback from others within the comments section which can lead either positive or negative experiences depending on what kind of remarks are made. For example if harsh criticism is given by other online followers it can create feelings of insecurity about one’s body causing damage beyond just affecting someone's confidence but also leading them into psychological problems such as depression eating disorders etc.(Tiggemann et al., 2015). Additionally when users get used to receiving compliments for posting pictures showing specific angles that highlight certain parts of the physique this creates a culture where seeking validation from strangers via appearance becomes normalized (Boske et al., 2020). Overall while social media does provide opportunities for communication connection creativity exploration support systems etc. It shouldn't be forgotten that it's important for people especially teens/young adults who are still trying to figure out who they are should focus less on comparing themselves with what's seen online rather than using those spaces as places for personal discovery growth learning etc.(Chen et al., 2019) In order maintain healthy mental health practices surrounding one’s own idea about body image disconnecting sometimes taking breaks away from constantly engaging on these sites may be beneficial since its now been shown that excessive use increases risk factors associated with poor self-image (Chiu et al., 2017) References: Boske T; Thorlund S; Rief W; Kleim B.; (2020); "The impact of selfie-posting frequency on perceived attractiveness: A longitudinal study", Computers in Human Behavior 104 pp 543–549  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.121450 Chen Y.; Mai X.; Zou W.; Wu J.; Tang M.;(2019); "Impact Of Social Media Use On Female Body Image", International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 16(23), 4617 https://doi: 10.3390/ijerph16234617             Chiu C; Fardouly J; Vartanian LR; Shimizu M.;(2017);"Social Media Use Frequency Is Associated With Higher Risk Of Poor Body Image Concerns Among Adolescents Independent Of Traditional Risk Factors", Cyberpsychology Behavior And Social Networking 20(5), 323–331 https://doi: 10./1089201769600837 ​​​ Fardouly J ; Diedrichs PC ;Vartanian LR ; Halliwell E ; Paxton SJ ;Wade TD .....And Others (2016); "The Mediating Role Of Comparative Orientation In The Relationship Between Social Media Usage And Body Image Concerns Among Young Women ", International Journal Of Eating Disorders 49(1), 53 - 61 http://dx .doi . org / 10 .1002Ieat .22452 Heikkilä JK & Miettinen H.(2019):"Social Media As A Cause Or Consequence? Examining Pathways Linking Negative Self-Evaluations To Increased Photo Sharing Behaviors On Instagram". New Media & Society 21(11), 3245 – 3264 http:// dx . doi . org / 10 . 1177 / 1461444819875221 Ozieraski KA & Wolfson CA.(2018):"Shaping Selfie Culture Through Digital Technologies". Psychology Today February 15th 2018https ://www0 psycholotoday com/us/blogo ganizing -selfie-culture Tiggemann ,Marlene1 Martins Yara1 Kirkbride AnthonyJ3 Janiszewski Lauren2 Agar Jacqueline5 Mackinnon Andrew4 McKenzie Dawn6 Levy Marilyn7 Anderson Clare8 Watson Helen9 Llewellyn Chloe10 Bendall Samara11 Clarke Anna12 Moran Lesley13 Ludlow Kathy14 Mehmi Iqbal15 Henneberger Anja16 Murray SusanB18 Robinson Elizabeth20 White Rebecca21 Ramsden Robert22 Croker Anne25 Olsson Craig24 Rose Rob26 Macpherson Sian27 Kirby Jonathan28 Qian Jian29 Reid Sarah30 Sarwer David31 Pryor John32 O'Dea Jennifer33 Byrne Sally34 Touyz Stephen36 Callaghan Paul37 Ryan Kirsten38 Kennedy Stephanie39 Brodie Nola40 Ricciardelli Laura41 Castle David42 Lawrence Wendy44 Ellis Justin45 Guillaume Louise46 Gilchrist Katherine47 Wilksch Simon48 Willcox Sandy49 Gordon Fiona50 Girgis Zahra51 Dohnt Hayley52 Abbott Rachel53 Williams Lori54 Smith Emma55 Lewis Sharon56 Le Grange Daniel57 King Rob58 Gearon Sara59 Thornton Louise60 Caltabiano Marie61 Rumble Arthur62 Chambers Eric63 Grealish Natalie64 Hutchinson Amie65 Busby Grant66 Lacey Amanda67 Skouteris Helen68 Bailey Joanne69 Hanson Donna70 Clough Jane71 Fox Emily72 Metcalf Bridgette73 Wildman Ruth74 Morris Kathryn75 Fisher Jacquelyn76 Simpson Renee77 Jackson Kirrie78 Lalor Jenny79 Hill Sarah80 Brand Claire81 Campbell Kate82 Walker Karen83 Bellamy Julie84 McConville Carole85 Levine Ben86 Forrest Simone87 Nicholson Jessica88 Spry Naomi89 Littlewood Robin90 Carter Cameron91 Trickey Gloria93 Butler Steve95 Allom Vicki96 O'Brien Catherine97 Summerfield Barbara98 Watts Maria99 Greer Judy100 Hart Amy101 Barker Doug102 Harrison Debbie103 Newton Caroline104 Herlihy Jean105 Markham Chris106 Sanci Lena107 Shrimpton Denise108 Goodman Elaine109 Pitt Linda110 Thompson Alison111 Forsyth Bronwyn112 Jordan Beverly113 Foster Mary114 Poole Pamela115 Skeats Alison116 Davis Diana117 Fejo Glenda118 Collins Diane119 Hosking Sandra120 Mawer Helene121 Lovell Michele122 Ireland Anne123 Johnson Belinda124 Stewart Sheena125 Smart Kay126 Gleeson Colleen127 Durkin Carolyn128 Dyer Lyn129 Hodges Jackie130 Walsh Christine131 Hoare Nola132 Treloar Kerry133 Dunn Heather134 Hancock Dianne135 Wilson Kim136 Wright Lynn137 Thomas Merri138 Laverty Wendy139 Sargeant Rita140 Simpson Janet141 Moore Peta142 Miller Lorraine143 Ussher Cathy144 Mullaly Bridget145 Errey Beverley146 Ward Debra147 Webber Leslie148 Reynolds Kelly149 Jennings Kim150 Geary Dee151 Johnson Tiffany152 Archer Nicole153 Millet Tony154 Dunstan Bev155 Curran Margaret156 Ryan Loretta157 Bennetts Bridgit158 Forbes Gail159 Hamilton Liz160 Partridge Libby161 Mitchell Michelle162 Gibson Kristen163 Franklin Chris164 Brain Wendy165 Baxter Melba166 Delatour Margot167 Neale Denice168 Symington Jennette169 Green Janet170 Brown Lucy171 Campbell Ann172 Francis Fay173 Jenkyn Patricia174 Banks Maggie175 Marr Darleen176 Bolton Terri177 Findlay Jill178 Thurgood Rosalind179 Blundell Raewyn180 Pearson Maureen181 Cole Lauree182 Priest Pat183 Lee Gay184 Penney Patsy185 Parkes Joan186 Stokes Val187 Allen Hazel189 Mercer Charmaine190 Wilkinson Heather191 Taylor Jan192 Aland Laura193 Austin Katrina194 Salter Maureen195 Hurst Lorraine196 Corbett Cheryl197 Maher Collette198 Hunter Sheryl199 Flett Sue200 Flitcroft Patricia201 Bruce Joy202